Ford Struandale Engine Plant hits four million engine milestone

Ford's enduring presence in South Africa has woven a rich tapestry of history, innovation, and industrial prowess. It all began in 1923 when the Ford Motor Company of South Africa first opened its doors. In 1964, Henry Ford II officially inaugurated the engine plant in Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha. 

This dynamic city played host to the birth of a South African automotive legend, and the story continues with an extraordinary milestone - the Struandale Engine Plant recently rolled out its four-millionth engine. If you are looking for new or used Ford models on AutoTrader, remember that you can sell your car quickly and easily with our Instant Offer tool to help you with the deposit on your next vehicle. 

 

Related: Ford Ranger 2.0 SiT SuperCab XL 4x4 auto (2023) Long-term update

 

The Engine of Progress

In 1964, a transformative chapter was written when the Struandale Engine Plant commenced operations. Recently, the Ford team celebrated the four-millionth engine rolling off the production line, and it's essential to reflect on how this remarkable facility has been instrumental in shaping not only Ford's journey but also the entire automotive landscape of South Africa.

Henry Ford II, with the spirit of innovation and investment, inaugurated the Struandale Engine Plant in 1964. With a substantial R8 million investment at that time, Ford proudly became the first automaker in South Africa to locally manufacture engines.

Ranger's Heart

Fast forward to August 2023, and the Struandale Engine Plant's legacy is still churning out excellence. The plant's four-millionth engine, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder Bi-Turbo diesel engine, will find its way into a new Ranger bakkie at Ford's Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria.

The Ranger, known for its rugged reliability and performance, is a testament to South African manufacturing excellence. It's not just a domestic favourite but an export champion, shipping its prowess to over 100 global markets. In the first eight months of 2023 alone, a staggering 38,835 Rangers, all equipped with engines from the Struandale plant, ventured beyond South African shores.

The Engine Family

Within the walls of Struandale, not just one but several engine families have been nurtured. The 2.0-litre Single Turbo and Bi-Turbo diesel engines, introduced in 2018, are renowned for their exceptional performance, reliability, and fuel efficiency. These engines are also responsible for the Ranger's victory in the 2019 WesBank Fuel Economy Tour. 

The Struandale Engine Plant has also played a pivotal role in producing the 2.2L and 3.2L Duratorq TDCi engines since their introduction in 2011. And, not to forget, the new 3.0-litre V6 Diesel engine, propelling the range-topping models of the new Ranger, has been rolling off the assembly lines since 2022, following a substantial R600 million investment.

AutoTrader was amongst the lucky few outsiders, to join some of the most friendly and diligent engine builders on the assembly line. Not only could we get a close-up view of how the V6 diesel is assembled but we also had the opportunity to fit some components. Ford being the first to introduce a production line to its vehicle building operations globally, do show in the efficiency of the assembly process here in Gqeberha.

A Testimony of Commitment to South Africa

Ockert Berry, VP Operations, Ford South Africa, proudly reflects on the Struandale Engine Plant's journey. He emphasizes the significant role it has played in Ford's development and growth over the past 59 years. The remarkable achievement of producing over four million engines, including 300 000 2.0L Single Turbo and Bi-Turbo diesel engines, stands as a testament to Ford's unwavering commitment to South Africa's economic development.

With an installed capacity to produce up to 720 vehicles per day, running three shifts, Berry highlights the plant's exceptional performance. In August 2023, the plant even surpassed its targets, achieving a record-breaking 736 and 737 vehicles per day - a remarkable feat for both the Silverton Assembly Plant and the entire South African motor industry.

Efficiency 

Shawn Govender, Plant Manager of the Struandale Engine Plant, proudly emphasises the uniqueness of this facility. It's the only Ford plant globally that produces both V-configuration and in-line engines, as well as a combination of four, five, and six-cylinder units, all on a single line. This level of flexibility and efficiency showcases the commitment to quality and cost-effectiveness.

Govender also highlights the complexity of this achievement, stating that it was an ambitious challenge but one that their dedicated team successfully met. The 3.0-litre V6 Diesel engine's success in the new Ranger, earning it the title of SA Car of the Year for 2023, further underscores the plant's commitment to producing engines of the highest quality.

But it is not just assembly that takes place at the Struandale Engine Plant. Teams machine the cylinder heads for the 3.0-litre V6 Diesel, and for the Duratorq TDCi engines, the plant takes charge of machining the cylinder head, cylinder block, and crankshaft. 

Beyond Engines

The Struandale Engine Plant's impact extends beyond the walls of the factory. It currently employs around 850 people out of the approximately 5 500 Ford Motor Company of South Africa employees. It is estimated that the entire value chain around the production of Ford products in South Africa employs around 60 000 people. 

Ford not only invests in its employees with in-house services such as a free laundromat and comfortable and well-appointed cafeterias, it also invests in the communities around their plants. Ford also has a variety of skills development and extensive leadership, apprenticeship and experiential trainee programs, which uplifts the immediate communities around its plant operations.

The Ford Wildlife Foundation also continues to support 29 conservation, environmental education and research projects across Southern Africa. One of those is the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), which endeavours to protect critically endangered African penguins and threatened seabirds along the Eastern Cape and Western Cape coastline through its two centres located in Gqeberha and Cape Town, respectively.

SANCCOB, a registered non-profit organisation, rescues and rehabilitates sick, injured and oiled seabirds, including the endangered African penguin, and threatened and protected species, such as the Cape gannet, African black oystercatcher, Cape cormorant and tern and gull species. To find out more about the dire state of the African Penguin community and how you can help, click here.