Certain iterations of the previous generation Ford Ranger Raptor had a familiar-looking sticker on the tailgate – one that stated “Built Ford Tough in SA”. The next-generation performance bakkie does, however, not continue that legacy.
The first generation Ford Ranger Raptor left an indelible mark on bakkie enthusiasts in South Africa. Not only did it up the ante for any commercially available off-roading performance vehicle but it was built within South African borders, at Ford’s Silverton facility just outside Pretoria. The next generation model will not have that “Built Ford Tough in SA” sticker on the tailgate since production has been moved outside of South Africa.
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When speaking with Neale Hill, the president of Ford Motor Company in Africa, he mentioned that Ford is focusing South African production at Silverton on the new highly acclaimed next-generation Ranger and platform shared Volkswagen Amarok, since both model ranges share the facility.
Furthermore, Ford’s Struandale Engine Plant in the Eastern Cape produces the motors for the locally produced bakkies while the twin-turbocharged V6 petrol motor is produced overseas. Logistically, this would have been unfeasible to import the behemoth Raptor motor unless Ford’s entire operations in South Africa were also adapted to produce it locally.
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So then, where do our Raptors come from? The Blue Oval’s performance bakkies sold in South Africa are produced in Thailand, at Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FTM) and Auto Alliance Thailand (AAT) in Rayong. The factory in South East Asia is able to service multiple markets with a potential output of 200 000 units annually.
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This is also another reason why the limited production was moved to Thailand, it simply doesn’t make sense for the Silverton plant to be tooled for such limited numbers. Last month alone, Ford exported a whopping 2 951 units of the Ranger from Silverton with 2 201 being sold to the local market.
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