MTHULISI SIBANDA
JOHANNESBURG – FORD’S sophisticated Everest sport utility vehicle (SUV) is set to make an even greater impact on the South African market when an expanded range goes on sale locally in November this year.

With Job 1 for Everest production having commenced at the world-class Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, it signals the start of a new era for Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) as it now becomes a two-vehicle assembly facility that also produces the Ranger for export to 148 markets in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

“The start of local production for the Ford Everest is another major milestone for FMCSA’s Manufacturing division in implementing Ford’s Global Facility and Process Standards,” says Ockert Berry, Vice President of
Operations.

“We are confident that the locally produced Ford Everest will deliver outstanding results for us, our employees and, most importantly, our customers,” says Berry.

The Everest will be produced for the South African market, and exported to countries across Sub-Saharan Africa.

This follows a combined R2,5 billion investment in Ford’s local operations for the Everest and Ranger programmes, creating approximately 1 200 new jobs at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) and within its supplier network.

Tracey Delate, General Marketing Manager of FMCSA, says the Ford Everest has been a very popular addition to our local line-up, but thus far has only been available in the two high-specification 4×4 models which were fully imported from Thailand.

“Local production has now enabled us to expand the offering with an additional six model derivatives, two engine choices, three trim levels, the option of manual and automatic transmissions, as well as two and
four-wheel drive versions.”
– Guardian