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The History of Ford’s South African Journey
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa has been an active participant in the South African automotive industry since 1923 and remains one of Southern Africa’s leading automotive companies.
We began our legacy by assembling Model T cars in a disused wool shed in Port Elizabeth, and as of 2022, we directly employ approximately 5500 people in South Africa, and indirectly support around 60 000 jobs within the value chain. Since 2009, our ongoing investment into local operations amounts to approximately R27.4-billion, and we contribute significantly to the country’s GDP. This makes us a significant player in the country's economy and manufacturing sector, as well as a major contributor to South Africa's employment.
Join us on our journey and find out how we helped shape the country’s automotive industry over the last century.
Ford South Africa - Through The Ages
1905: The first South African Ford agents are appointed in the seaside town of Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).
1923: Ford South Africa is founded as a subsidiary of Ford Canada.
1924: Ford South Africa opens an assembly plant in Gqeberha; the first assembly line of any kind in Africa, where Ford Model T vehicles are produced.
1927: After producing 15-million Model T vehicles worldwide, production of the cornerstone car ceases.
1930: Ford opens a brand-new R2-million factory in Gqeberha.
1939-45: Of the 60 000 vehicles assembled during WW2 in South Africa, 39 399 went to the war effort to fight the Axis forces abroad.
1948: Ford’s Neave Assembly Plant opens, becoming the largest roofed factory in the country.
1960: The Ford Anglia is launched in South Africa.
1962: The Ford Cortina MK 1 is launched – set to become the most popular car range in the history of the South African motor industry.
1964-68: A new engine assembly and machining plant is opened in Struandale, Gqeberha by Henry Ford II (Henry Ford’s grandson). Later on, a new purpose-built product development and engineering building is opened in Struandale – which became the breeding ground for many unique local developments like the 1-tonner and Bantam pick-up models.
1969: Launch of the Ford Capri.
1973: Ford South Africa opened the most modern assembly plant of its time in Struandale, where two highly successful models are manufactured – the Cortina and Sierra.
1976: Ford South Africa produces its 1-millionth vehicle.
1978: The 100 000th Ford Cortina is manufactured.
1980: Ford South Africa launches its most powerful tractor ever, the TW30.
1981: Ford South Africa produces its 1 250 000th vehicle, a Ford Escort XR3.
1983: The Bantam half-ton pickup is launched. Designed and developed in South Africa, it becomes the first vehicle to win a Shell Design award. Production of the Ford Cortina ceases, and the Ford Sierra is launched. More than 303 000 Cortinas were sold in South Africa, more than the VW Beetle.
1985: Ford South Africa hit a massive milestone, as the 1.5-millionth Ford is built. Ford Motor Company of SA merges with Amcar to form the South African Motor Corporation.
1986: Ford Laser is launched in South Africa.
1987: Ford Motor Company withdraws from South Africa due to apartheid sanctions, local vehicle manufacturing and sales fall under SAMCOR.
1994: Nelson Mandela appointed president of South Africa and apartheid abolished, Ford acquires 45% equity in SAMCOR.
1998: Ford Fiesta wins South Africa's Car of The Year.
2000: Ford acquires 100% equity in SAMCOR, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) established.
2002: The New Ford Bantam, which would go on to become a South African icon, is launched at the Auto Africa Show in Johannesburg.
2003: Ford Motor Company celebrates its 100th anniversary, and its 80th birthday in South Africa.
2005: The 2-millionth Ford engine is produced in South Africa.
2008: Ford Motor Company announces the investment of R1.5-billion in its South African operations to produce the next-generation Ranger pick-up and Duratorq TDCi diesel engines.
2010: Investment increases to R3-billion for the all-new Ranger program.
2011: The all-new Ranger pick-up is launched, produced for local sales and exports to more than 100 global markets.
2013: South Africa’s three-millionth Ford roles off the Silverton assembly line – a Ford Ranger.
2014: Ford’s Struandale Engine Plant produces its three-millionth engine on its 50th anniversary. Also, the Ford Wildlife Foundation is established to support the conservation of endangered wildlife and ecosystems in Southern Africa.
2015: The legendary Ford Mustang is produced in a right-hand drive for the first time - and is launched in South Africa.
2016: Ford invests a further R2.5-billion in its local operations to increase production capacity for the Ranger pick-up, and the start of local assembly of the Everest sport utility vehicle.
2018: Ford invests more than R3-billion in South African operations, adding further capacity and commencing production of the industry-defining Ranger Raptor. Production of the new-generation 2.0L Bi-Turbo and 2.0L Single Turbo diesel engines commences at the Struandale Engine Plant. Between 2008 and 2018, Ford invested more than R11-billion in its local operations. The 500 000th current-generation Ranger produced at Silverton Assembly Plant.
2019: The first-ever Ranger Raptor is launched in South Africa, along with updated Ranger and Everest with 2.0L BiT/SiT engines for domestic market and exports around the world. On top of this, the Ford Motor Company of South Africa partners with government to launch the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) adjacent to its Silverton plant.
2021: Ford Motor Company invests R15.8-billion in its Silverton Assembly Plant and supplier tooling to produce the Next-Generation Ford Ranger – including its in-house Stamping Plant, Frame Plant and all-new Body Shop. A further R600-million was invested in the Struandale Engine Plant to produce the 3.0L V6 Diesel engine to be used in the Next-Gen Ranger, along with upgrades to the 2.0L BiT/SiT assembly line. Ford reaches 500000 exports of locally assembled Ranger pick-up.
2022: The Silverton Assembly Plant switches on solar energy with SolarAfrica – 35% of the plant’s electricity now supplied by the sun.
