PODCAST: Why isn’t PHEV Ford Ranger sold in South Africa?

The Blue Oval has started building and exporting the first-ever plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Ford Ranger, but it remains off limits for local sales.

The Silverton assembly plant is the only facility in the world that manufactures the PHEV Ford Ranger. It is the first South African-built Ranger to go on sale in Australia and New Zealand.

The recent installation of a battery assembly plant at the Silverton factory enables Ford to build up to 200 PHEVs per day and 62 000 a year.

Ford Ranger PHEV makes Pitstop

In this week’s episode of The Citizen Motoring’s Pitstop podcast, we analyse the current market to try and establish why the PHEVs are not sold locally.

The PHEV Ford Ranger features a 2.3-litre turbo petrol engine and a 75kW electric motor with an 11.8kWh battery pack. It sends a total of 205kW of power and 690Nm of torque to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic gearbox.

Visuals differentiating the PHEV and standard models include the flap for the charging socket located above the right rear wheel arch, PHEV branding on the front side panels and a 31mm higher loadbin floor. The higher bin floor is due to the battery pack taking up space underneath.

ALSO READ: VIDEO: Plug-in hybrid Ford Ranger unveiled but remains off limits

BYD Shark arrives

The BYD Shark is the first PHEV on offer in Mzansi. The Chinese-built Shark features a 150kW/310Nm 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. Alongside it is a 29.5-kWh battery pack hooked up to rear-mounted dual electric motors which make 150kW/340Nm. Combined, the BYD Shark draws on 320kW of power and 650Nm of torque.

JAC will also offer a plug-in hybrid bakkie locally soon in the form of the T9 PHEV. The T9 features a 2.0-litre blown petrol mill and a 31.2kWh battery pack hooked up to two electric motors. The T9 PHEV has a combined output of 290kW/670Nm.