IMG Sweeps Four Major Honors at the 2025 Global Quality Comes First Team Awards

From the factory floors to the engineering labs across the IMG region, the message is clear: Quality Comes First.

On May 11, the team came together to announce the winners of the 2025 Global Quality Comes First Team Awards, recognizing outstanding performance across Ford. 

It was an amazing day for IMG, which secured four global awards, highlighting our unwavering commitment to Quality Comes First.  These awards are the direct result of a massive collaborative effort across the IMG region, recognizing our cross-functional teams have demonstrated that quality is a shared responsibility and a top priority.

The Quality Comes First Team Awards programme has evolved significantly over the past three years into a global platform recognizing the best teams across Ford worldwide in areas including Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, Vehicle Programmes, New Model Launches, Warranty Performance and FCSD.

Opening the proceedings, Charles Poon, Vice President, Vehicle Hardware Engineering, reflected on the importance of quality across the Ford business.

“From Vehicle Engineering and Manufacturing to Supply Chain and FCSD to New Models and Software Development, today is about celebrating the work teams do every day to perfect that signature.”

Celebrating Excellence: Our 2025 Winners

The IMG region was recognized for excellence across the entire vehicle lifecycle:

• Manufacturing – Global VO Plant Quality Excellence: Silverton Assembly Plant (South Africa)
• Launch – Earlier Issue Identification Improvement (TT to PP): Ranger PHEV (IMG)
• Vehicle Program – Global Vehicle Line Quality Excellence (3 MIS): Ranger (P703) (IMG)
• Vehicle Program – Best In Segment (Repairs): Ranger (Midsize Pick-up) – (IMG)

For FMCSA, the event became a defining moment. Silverton Assembly Plant received Ford’s highest manufacturing recognition, the Global VO Plant Quality Excellence Award, marking the first time a South African plant has earned the honor, and cementing the plant’s position as a manufacturing powerhouse. 

The results confirm that the FMCSA-built Ranger is now recognized as Ford’s highest-quality Ranger program globally and is on track to achieve best-in-class pickup quality.

The Ranger program also surpassed Toyota Hilux in the latest Australian ARC survey, reinforcing the growing global reputation of the vehicle and the Silverton team behind it. 

The achievement reflects years of operational discipline, investment and cross-functional collaboration across Manufacturing, Product Development, Quality, STA, Supply Chain and FCSD. A strong zero-defect mindset, real-time customer feedback integration and relentless focus on process execution played a key role in Silverton’s transformation.

Closing the proceedings, Josh Halliburton, Executive Director, Quality at Ford Motor Company, praised the progress achieved globally and reinforced the importance of maintaining momentum.

“When we put quality first, we don’t just build cars. We build trust. We build loyalty. We build the future at Ford,” said Halliburton.

In addition to these four specific honors, IMG also played a vital role in several global combined awards for warranty and functional performance. These wins underscore how IMG is integrated into Ford’s global success, contributing to the overall improvement of our brand’s reputation and customer satisfaction.

A Message to The Team

“These awards stand as proof that IMG manufacturing excellence can compete with — and lead — the very best in the world,” said Andrea’ Cavallaro. “Thank you for your relentless focus on the details that matter most to our customers, carrying forward the company’s commitment that Quality Comes First. This recognition belongs to every one of you.”

A huge congratulations to the entire IMG team for these well-deserved accolades. Let’s keep this momentum going as we continue to set new benchmarks for quality in 2025 and beyond!