Ford Has Started Selling the Bronco To International Markets
Sadly, these aren’t the Jeep Wrangler rivaling Bronco Broncos, but rather, the smaller Ford Escape-based Bronco Sport. Regardless, it provides a possible picture of how Ford plans to position its Bronco when it eventually arrives to markets such as the Philippines.
For the Brazilian market, which also happens to get the Territory as well, Ford has decided to bring in their terrain-capable compact SUV in just one trim and that’s the Wildtrak equipped with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine mated with an 8-speed automatic. This is enough to satisfy power-hungry owners with its 245 horsepower, 373 Nm output.
Ford announced that it will invest $1.05 billion in its South African manufacturing operations in what will be the automaker’s most significant investment in the country.
Operations director of Ford’s International Market Group, Andrea Cavallaro, confirmed that Ford plans to increase its annual capacity in South Africa from 168,000 to 200,000 vehicles.
The South African investment will include $683 million for technology upgrades and new facilities at its plant in Silverton. An additional $365 million will be used to upgrade tooling at major supplier factories throughout the country.
Ford says the increased production capacity will create 1,200 new jobs and add a further 10,000 jobs across its supplier network. Cavallaro added that Ford wants to make its Silverton plant entirely energy self-sufficient and carbon neutral by 2024.