Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid built in South Africa, hit with import tariffs

The Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid ute will be built in South Africa from late 2024, the brand has confirmed.

Ford has announced it will invest R5.2 billion (AU$439 million) in the Silverton Assembly Plant to build the Ranger plug-in hybrid (PHEV) due in Australia in early 2025.

The investment will cover the construction of a battery pack assembly plant and upgrades to Ford’s chassis plant “to accommodate the unique chassis configuration for this model, including changes to the robots, welding equipment, control systems, conveyors and skids”.

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The Silverton Assembly Plant currently produces the Ranger and Everest for select markets, and the Volkswagen Amarok for all markets – including Australia. Existing Australian-market versions of the Ranger and Everest are sourced from Thailand.

“As with the current Ranger models, the new Ranger Plug-in Hybrid will be exported to Europe as part of our commitment to offer a wide range of powertrain options for customers in this important mid-size pickup segment,” said Ford International Markets Group operations director Andrea Cavallaro.

“For the first time in about two decades, the Silverton plant will also be supplying vehicles to Australia and New Zealand, as it will be the source market for the Ranger Plug-in Hybrid for these countries.”

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Unlike Thailand, which benefits from a free trade agreement with Australia, vehicles sourced from South Africa incur a five per cent import tariff.

The import tariff, combined with the added cost of the battery and electric motor, means the Ranger PHEV could become the most expensive model sold in Australia – a title currently held by the $86,790 before on-roads Raptor twin-turbo petrol V6.

As detailed in September, the Ranger PHEV is powered by a 2.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder motor and a single electric motor. It is claimed to have the most torque of any Ranger ever – more than 600Nm – and an electric-only driving range “in excess of” 45 kilometres.

It will retain the 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity offered by diesel Rangers, while the ‘Pro Power Onboard’ system will power tools and other accessories with 240-volt/10-amp outlets in the tray and cabin.

“You’ll be able to power a wide variety of equipment from power tools like circular saws, compressors and drills to consumer electronics like TVs, stereos, refrigerators and lighting systems,” said Rob Sharples, chief engineer for Ranger PHEV.

Ford is yet to confirm further specifications, including exact power/torque outputs, battery size, fuel efficiency, kerb weight, charging times, and maximum charging rates.

The Ranger PHEV completes Ford’s promise to offer five electrified models in Australia by the end of 2024, joining the all-electric Mustang Mach-E, the E-Transit full-size van, E-Transit Custom mid-size van and the Puma EV small SUV.