Ford commits to S Africa

Automotives

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has announced a R1.5bn ($205m) investment to build a new engine plant in Port Elizabeth and an assembly line at Pretoria to produce a new pick-up model. This new investment, from one of the world's biggest multinational corporations, is an important vote of confidence in South Africa's industrial base that has been severely affected in recent weeks by power outages. It should also serve to give extra impetus to South Africa's Motor Industry Development Programme, currendy under government review. FMCSA is planning to add 40,000 vehicles to its annual production, amounting to 68,000 units in 2007. Three-quarters of Ford's projected output will be for export to the rest of Africa and Europe.

Copyright International Communications Mar 2008
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