Ford unveils vehicle assembly facility in Nigeria

Ford Motor Company on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 unveiled the first Ranger truck to be assembled in Nigeria. It was built in an existing facility with Ford’s Nigerian partners Coscharis Group, an indigenous automobile dealer.

At the official announcement of the Ford assembly line in Lagos, its President/CEO, sub Saharan African Region, Mr. Jeff Nemeth, noted that Nigeria remains a significant market in Ford’s sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region and accounts for a high per cent of the regional sales – the reason  the automaker is committed to increasing its market share in the country, and other key African markets in the future.

According to him, Ford’s unified growth strategy for the continent, with the formation of the new Middle East and Africa business unit last year, has also enabled the company to consolidate its efforts in Africa, adding that the purchasing power of consumer in the continent is on the rise as the middle class increases.

The facility, he said, will accommodate one shift and will produce an initial 10 units per day for the market, creating approximately 180 direct and indirect jobs, adding that over time, there will be expansion, adding that, the main driver behind Ford in Africa is affordability. 

Said he: "Africa is one of the youngest markets in the world and presents a huge opportunity in terms of consumption.

"Despite infrastructure challenges, Africa has demonstrated impressive returns on Foreign Direct Investment."

The new assembly operations, though on a small scale, according to him, has positive knock-on effects in the local economy and work force.

He added that in line with the operating procedures for Ford plants around the world, the firm will send experienced employees to the country to assist with implementing the Global Ford Production System, which focuses on the highest standards for safety, quality and delivery.