The head of Ford in South Africa has explained why the locally built Ranger PHEV is still not sold in Mzansi, before revealing the brand is looking at a potential introduction “very carefully”…
- SA-built Ranger PHEV still not sold here
- Ford’s local boss calls for NEV incentives
- Brand “continues to evaluate” derivative
The Ford Ranger PHEV was revealed over 3 years ago and is (for the time being, anyway) exclusively produced at the Blue Oval brand’s factory in Silverton, right here in South Africa. Why then is this plug-in hybrid bakkie – which has since been surpassed in the power stakes by a handful of Chinese PHEV contenders – still not available to new-vehicle buyers in Mzansi?
Well, Neale Hill, President of Ford Motor Company Africa, laid out the reasons during a wide-ranging interview in Cars.co.za’s custom-built podcast booth at Naamsa’s SA Auto Week 2026 event in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal earlier in October.
“It comes back to the fact that we don’t have any incentives or any drive within South Africa that’s pushing for the adoption of new-energy vehicles. So, if you look at markets where there’s been dramatic growth in new-energy vehicles, there’s not only a production element – in terms of encouraging production – but there’s also a demand-side stimulation,” he said.
This suggests that without local-market incentives, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa believes the Ranger PHEV would potentially be priced higher than is feasible – despite being built locally. Interestingly, this model (which Ford’s SA factory currently exports to Europe and Australia) is due to enter production at the brand’s Pacheco plant in Argentina in 2027.
Still, Hill didn’t rule out eventually introducing the PHEV derivative – which he a year prior described as a “critical step in terms of protecting the future of Ranger in South Africa” – to the local market, though he wouldn’t be drawn on exactly when that might happen.
“We’ve been looking at [a potential local introduction of the Ranger PHEV] very carefully and we continue to evaluate when [would be] the right point to bring the PHEV to our line-up in South Africa. We’ll keep you on tenterhooks and let you know when that’s going to happen, because we don’t give away secrets here,” he quipped.
“But I think it’s really important that we do have this transition into new-energy vehicles. They [represent] an exciting opportunity to really revolutionise driving. Having driven the [Ranger] PHEV, [I can say] it’s a fantastic vehicle, so we really look forward to the opportunity in terms of that particular point [in time] when we can add it to our portfolio.”
For the record, the SA market currently features a pair of plug-in hybrid double cabs in the 310 kW GWM P300 PHEV and the BYD Shark 6 (the latter offered in both 321 kW Premium and 350 kW Performance guise). Both are sourced from China, a country that will also supply initial units of the upcoming 350 kW Chery Grootman diesel PHEV, before local production begins at the Chery Group’s Rosslyn plant later in 2027.
As a reminder, the Ranger PHEV’s powertrain combines Ford’s turbocharged 2.3-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine and 10‑speed automatic transmission with a 75 kW electric motor and an 11.8 kWh (usable capacity) battery pack. Peak system outputs stand at 207 kW and 697 Nm, with this torque figure described as the “highest of any production Ranger ever” (eclipsing even the high-performance Raptor’s 583 Nm).
The Ranger PHEV’s single-charge electric-only range is listed as 49 km, while the maximum AC charging rate is 3.5 kW. The Dearborn-based brand says the “estimated time” to fully charge the battery pack from zero to 100% using a 3.5 kW charger is around 4 hours.
Based on Australian specifications, the payload tops out at 830 kg, while the braked towing capacity comes in at 3 500 kg. The Ranger PHEV employs an “e-4WD” system along with a dual-range transfer box and rear differential lock. The traction battery, meanwhile, is packaged between “specially engineered” frame rails.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why is the SA-built Ford Ranger PHEV not sold in South Africa?
A: Neale Hill, President of Ford Motor Company Africa, suggested to Cars.co.za that the lack of local demand-side incentives for New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) in South Africa makes introducing the plug-in hybrid locally financially unviable at present, despite it being manufactured at Ford’s Silverton plant in Pretoria for export.
Q: What are the performance and powertrain specs of the Ford Ranger PHEV?
A: The Ranger PHEV pairs a 2.3-litre turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine with a 75 kW electric motor and an 11.8 kWh battery to deliver total outputs of 207 kW and 697 Nm of torque. It features an all-electric driving range of up to 49 km and a 3 500 kg braked towing capacity.
Q: Will the Ford Ranger PHEV ever be launched in South Africa?
A: Ford SA told Cars.co.za it continues to evaluate a potential local release “very carefully” as part of the country’s broader transition to NEVs, though no official launch date has been confirmed.
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Ryan Bubear
Having written about everything from sport and politics to crime, Ryan eventually settled on motoring. For well over 15 years, he's been penning articles – both online and in print – about the broader automotive industry, though he's particularly fascinated by vehicle-sales statistics. A freelance writer and editor, Ryan has owned a 1971 Austin Mini Mk3 for 20-plus years.
