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New Ford assembly facility in Ikeja will begin operation in the fourth
quarter of 2015
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Ford Motor Company partners with Coscharis Motors Limited in Nigeria
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Nigeria to be first African country outside South Africa where Ford
vehicles are produced
Company Website:
http://corporate.ford.com/
JOHANNESBURG -- (Business Wire)
Ford Motor Company today announced it will assemble its popular Ford
Ranger pickup truck in Nigeria starting in the fourth quarter of 2015 as
part of its expansion in Middle East and Africa. Nigeria will be the
first African country outside of South Africa where Ford vehicles are
produced.
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At Go Further South Africa 2015, Ford South Africa President and CEO Jeff Nemeth (left) and Coscharis Motors Limited President Dr. Cosmas Maduka (right) announced a new manufacturing facility in Nigeria to assemble the best-selling Ford Ranger. (Photo: Business Wire)
Ranger assembly will begin in Ikeja, in the Lagos State about 750 km
southwest of Nigeria’s capital city Abuja. Ford is partnering with Ford
dealer group Coscharis Motors Limited on the project.
“Assembling Ford Ranger trucks in Africa’s largest economy is an
important milestone in our Middle East and Africa growth plan,” said Jim
Benintende, president of Ford Middle East & Africa. “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.”
Ford will assemble the vehicles at a semi-knockdown level, using body
parts and components imported from South Africa for the new Ranger. The
new assembly plant in Ikeja will create approximately 180 jobs directly
and indirectly, and has the capacity to assemble up to 5,000 units
annually. Vehicles assembled at Ikeja are destined for sale in Nigeria
only.
“Nigeria is a priority market for us in Sub-Saharan Africa and today’s
announcement will allow us to better serve our customers both from a
retail point of view, and in terms of vehicle and parts availability,”
said Jeff Nemeth, president and CEO of Ford Motor Company of Sub-Saharan
Africa region. “We are committed to supporting Nigeria’s developing
automotive industry and economy together with Coscharis, and are looking
forward to being active in the community. New assembly operations, even
on a smaller scale like this one, have very positive ripple effects in
the local economy and work force.”
Dr. Cosmas Maduka, president of Coscharis Motors said: “We value our
partnership with Ford immensely and we are looking forward to having the
opportunity assemble world class Ford Rangers in Nigeria. This
partnership will boost Nigeria’s much needed march towards
industrialisation and create an important step in the development of the
automotive industry."
In line with the operating procedures for Ford plants around the world,
Ford will send experienced employees to Nigeria to assist with
implementing the Global Ford Production System, which focuses on the
highest standards for safety, quality and delivery.
Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger was the best-selling vehicle South Africa for the first
half of 2015, and is currently sold in 24 countries throughout the
continent. Whether towing heavy loads of up to 3,500 kg, taking
advantage of its exceptional payload capacity, or driving on city roads,
highways or off the beaten track, the Ranger is designed and engineered
for work and play, no matter the conditions.
Later this year, Ford will begin selling an updated Ranger with new
styling and new features.
“The new Ford Ranger is world class with an aggressive exterior, a
premium, sporty, interior, the latest driver assist technologies and
capabilities that ensure it’s up for any work or adventure,” said
Nemeth. “The new Ranger is bolder, smarter and more refined for
customers who want to combine genuine 4x4 capabilities with stand-out
styling and premium features.”
It features a class-leading ability to wade through water up to 800 mm
deep, and has 230 mm of ground clearance. And with a 28-degree approach
angle and 25-degree departure angle, customers feel confident when
taking on steep terrain. The impressive capabilities of the Ranger are
easy to use. A robust electronically controlled transfer case allows
drivers in 4x4 models to shift on the fly from 4x2 to 4x4 high with a
knob on the center console. For low-speed torque or additional downhill
braking, drivers can also engage low-range 4x4 gearing. An electronic
locking rear differential helps to improve traction in difficult
conditions.
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa produces the Ranger for 148
markets including Europe, Middle East and Africa.
About Coscharis Motors
Coscharis Motors, part of Coscharis Group, manages Auto Sales and
Auto Services centres with state-of-the-art Showrooms and workshops
throughout Nigeria. Founded in 1983, the company began with the business
of importation and distribution of genuine automotive spare parts and
accessories.In 2001, Coscharis Motors expanded its automobile
range by diversifying into the sales of Ford Vehicles. The Ford ranges
include Figo, Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, Mondeo and Taurus (all sedan). The
Ford 4X4 on offering are Ranger, Escape, Everest, Galaxy, Edge and
Explorer. The company also sells the ford Transit. www.coscherisgroup.com.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six
continents. With about 195,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the
company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company
provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more
information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and
video, visit www.media.ford.com
or www.quickpic.co.za
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View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150811005742/en/
Contacts:
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa
Alisea Chetty, +27 12 842 2707
achetty2@ford.com
Source: Ford Motor Company
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