• First New Ford Everest assembled at Ford's Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria shipped to Kenya

• Full range of models to be exported to markets in Sub-Saharan Africa

• Shipments destined Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania and Cameroon during November

PRETORIA, South Africa, 17 November 2016 - The initial batch of South African-built Ford Everest vehicles have been produced for export markets in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the very first vehicle is currently on its way to its new owner in Kenya.

The Moondust Silver Everest 2.2 XLT 4x4 departed the Port of Durban on 12 November, and is destined for Mombasa where it is scheduled to dock before making its way to local Ford dealer,CMC.

"This is an exciting period for Ford Motor Company, as we're now seeing the fruits of the more than R2.5-billion investment programme emerge with the first locally assembled Ford Everest models coming off the line and being shipped to their new owners across the region," says Ockert Berry, Vice President of Operations Middle East and Africa.

"The Silverton Assembly Plant is now operating as a fully-fledged two-vehicle production facility, assembling both the Everest and the Ranger for the domestic and export markets."

Among the next batch of Everest export models due for shipment in November are vehicles destined for Madagascar, Tanzania and Cameroon, with other key markets to follow.

A total of eight derivatives are available with a choice of the 2.2 and 3.2-litre Duratorq TDCi engines, XLS, XLT and range-topping Limited specification levels, manual and automatic transmissions, as well as the option of two or four-wheel drive.

Ends 

Caption: Exports of the South African-built Ford Everest have commenced to markets in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with the first consignment of vehicles ready to be shipped from the port of Durban destined for Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania and Cameroon. This follows the start of local production of the Everest range for the SSA region in October, resulting from an investment of R2.5-billion in the Ford Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria. Aside from the investment, localised production created approximately 1 200 new jobs at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa and within its supplier network.