Automaker set to build Ranger pickups in Nigeria

On Monday, August 10th, Ford announced its plans to Ranger pickups in Nigeria as part of the automaker's plan to expand in the Middle East and Africa where the small truck is popular.

This is because Ford sees Nigeria as a priority market in Sub-Saharan Africa.

For this, Ford will be partnering with Nigeria's own Coscharis Motors Limited, which is a Ford dealer group.

Cosmas Maduka, president of Coscharis Motors, says:

"This partnership will boost Nigeria's much needed march towards industrialization and create an important step in the development of the automotive industry."

Jim Benintende, president of Ford Middle East & Africa added:

"Assembling Ford Ranger trucks in Africa's largest economy is an important milestone in our Middle East and Africa growth plan. With Coscharis we have the right partner and with the Ford Ranger we have the right product to deliver a world-class truck that Nigerian customers want and value."

The Ranger pickup will be partially assembled from South Africa then sent for completion to a plant in Ikeja, Lagos with the capacity for 5,000 trucks a year, all for the Nigerian market, and estimated to create about 180 jobs.

Jeff Nemeth, president and CEO of Ford Motor Company of Sub-Saharan Africa region had this to say:

"Today's announcement will allow us to better serve our customers both from a retail point of view, and in terms of vehicle and parts availability. We are committed to supporting Nigeria's developing automotive industry and economy."

This will make Nigeria the first African country outside of South Africa to produce Ford vehicles.