Ford to invest $1 bln to boost South Africa operations

The amount includes $683 million for technology upgrades and new facilities at its Silverton plant, a suburb of Pretoria, and $365 million for tool upgrades at major supplier factories.

Ford Motor Co will invest $1.05 billion in its South African manufacturing operations including upgrades to expand the production of its Ranger pickup truck, the U.S. automaker said.

The amount includes $683 million for technology upgrades and new facilities at its plant in Silverton, a suburb of Pretoria, and $365 million to upgrade tooling at major supplier factories.

The investment targets to improve Ford’s installed capacity at the South African plant from 168,000 to 200,000 vehicles, the company said.