Have you ever thought about how many components go into the car you drive? If you’re driving a next-generation Ford Ranger, the answer is around 6 300. I discovered this during a recent visit to Ford’s new Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria.

The impressive manufacturing facility is the result of the company’s $1.05 billion investment in local operations and supplier tooling. This is one of the largest single investments in the history of the country’s automotive industry. The money was earmarked for modernisation and transformation at the Silverton plant.