Ford Motor Company has announced that it will commence the assembly of the Ford Ranger Pickup truck in Nigeria as from the last quarter in 2015. This is part of its expansion plan for the Middle East and Africa.
The pickup truck will be assembled in Ikeja, situated in Lagos State.
According to Ford Middle East and Africa president Jim Benintende, “Assembling Ford Ranger trucks in Africa’s largest economy is an important milestone in our Middle East and Africa growth plan. With Coscharis, we have the right partner and with the Ford Ranger, we have the right product to deliver a world-class truck that Nigerian customers want and value.”
With this development, Nigeria will be the second country in Africa, after South Africa.
Officials said that Nigeria is a priority market for the company in sub-Saharan Africa, as it is keen to support the West African nation’s growing automotive industry.
The Ford Ranger can tow up to 3,500 kg of weight, wade through water up to 800 mm deep, and has 230 mm of ground clearance. Enabled with a 28-degree approach angle and 25-degree departure angle, the vehicle can take on steep terrain, stated Ford. There is an electronically-controlled transfer case that allows drivers in 4×4 models to shift on the fly from 4×2 to 4×4 high with a knob on the centre console. For low-speed torque or additional downhill braking, drivers can also engage low-range 4×4 gearing. An electronic locking rear differential helps to improve traction in difficult conditions.
According to Ford, vehicles will be assembled at a “semi-knockdown level”, using body parts and components imported from South Africa. The newly-assembled vehicles are for sale in Nigeria only, stated Ford.
Later this year, an upgraded model of the Ranger will likely be launched, revealed the company.
Ford anticipates that the new assembly plant in Ikeja will create around 180 jobs directly and indirectly, and will have the capacity to assemble up to 5,000 units annually.
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