Vehicle manufacturer Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa’s (FMCSA’s) Struandale engine plant, in Port Elizabeth, this week celebrated the production of its three-millionth engine – a 3.2 l, five-cylinder Duratorq TDCi engine destined to power a Ford Ranger vehicle.

The facility, which was established in 1964 and which employs about 600 people, received a major boost in 2010 when it was awarded the export contract to manufacture machine components and assemble high-tech Duratorq TDCi engines for the Ford Ranger, making it the only facility in the world to manufacture machine components and assemble engines for the global Ranger fleet.

The contract saw FMCSA receiving “crucial” investment to expand the yearly capacity of machined components at the plant to 220 000 component kits, comprising the cylinder head, block and crankshaft.

About 75 000 of these are used for assembly of the advanced 2.2 l four-cylinder and 3.2 l five-cylinder engines, which are later shipped to Pretoria for installation in the Ranger.

The balance of the component kits are exported to Ford engine assembly plants in Argentina and Thailand.

Earlier this year, the facility also started producing the 3.2-l five-cylinder diesel engines for the North American market, marking the first time FMCSA would export to the US.

The additional 31 000 engines produced a year are destined for the Ford Transit van, which is assembled in Kansas City.

Meanwhile, the automotive manufacturer, which has not emerged unscathed from the ongoing National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa-led strike in the metals and engineering sector, also assured the market that it took a long-term view of investment in the often volatile local automotive industry.

"Ford has a long-term commitment to South Africa. We are proud to serve our customers here with a full family of high-quality, safe and fuel-efficient vehicles and are also very proud of our highly motivated and world-class workforce. 

“Every day they demonstrate a commitment to Ford's philosophy of continuous improvement with every vehicle that comes off the line,” commented Ford Middle East and Africa president Jim Benintende.