Ford Ranger production resumes as power is restored
Vandalism left Ford’s Silverton factory without power
14 April 2023 - 16:26
byMotor News Reporter
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A Ford Ranger comes off the Silverton assembly line.
Picture: SUPPLIED
Production at Ford SA’s Silverton plant has slowly resumed after the power cuts that left many residential and businesses without power.
The collapse of seven Eskom pylons connecting Njala substation through to the Waltloo area on April 11 was caused by metal theft and vandalism.
The incident, which led to the closure of the N4 freeway east between Solomon Mahlangu and Simon Vermoten on- and off-ramps, caused a suspension in duties at the Ford SA manufacturing plant. The facility produces the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok for local and global markets.
Power has been restored in stages, starting on the evening of April 12, and production has slowly resumed. The estimated total loss of production to date is 1,440 units, according to Ford SA. The Ford Silverton factory employs 4,600 people and can produce as much as 720 vehicles a day.
“Due to the scale of the Eskom infrastructure concern there remains some risk of interrupted supply — however we continue to liaise with Eskom and local government as they work to balance the system and fully restore the network,” said Dudu Nxele, corporate communications manager at Ford SA.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
NEWS
Ford Ranger production resumes as power is restored
Vandalism left Ford’s Silverton factory without power
Production at Ford SA’s Silverton plant has slowly resumed after the power cuts that left many residential and businesses without power.
The collapse of seven Eskom pylons connecting Njala substation through to the Waltloo area on April 11 was caused by metal theft and vandalism.
The incident, which led to the closure of the N4 freeway east between Solomon Mahlangu and Simon Vermoten on- and off-ramps, caused a suspension in duties at the Ford SA manufacturing plant. The facility produces the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok for local and global markets.
Power has been restored in stages, starting on the evening of April 12, and production has slowly resumed. The estimated total loss of production to date is 1,440 units, according to Ford SA. The Ford Silverton factory employs 4,600 people and can produce as much as 720 vehicles a day.
“Due to the scale of the Eskom infrastructure concern there remains some risk of interrupted supply — however we continue to liaise with Eskom and local government as they work to balance the system and fully restore the network,” said Dudu Nxele, corporate communications manager at Ford SA.
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