Ford->ke31 is expanding its South African operations in preparation for the upcoming Everest SUV. The Everest will share the assembly line with the existing Ford Ranger pickup->ke242 at the Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, South Africa.

Ford is set to invest $175 million in the expansion project, while creating some 1,200 new jobs, both directly at the plant and within the South African supplier network.

“Our customers love the capability and utility offered by the all-new Ford Everest,” said Jim Farley, Ford executive vice president and president of Europe, Middle East and Africa. “By producing the Everest in South Africa, we will be able to make it more readily available, and in a greater variety of models, for customers throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.

Farley continued in saying the investment reaffirms the importance of the South African market to Ford’s growth strategy across the Middle East and Africa. The South African network will act as a strategic export base for the automaker.

The Silverton plant is expected to build 10,000 Everests->ke4983 annually. This will work to alleviate the Everest’s current production facility in Thailand. The new local assembly will also add new engine and trim line choices to the South African market. Currently the Everest is only available with the 3.2-liter I-5 Duratorq turbodiesel with the automatic transmission in XLT or Limited trims. The Silverton plant will give South African’s the chance to buy the 2.2-liter I-4 Duratorq and several more trim options.

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