Distinctive Automotive Industry In South Africa
In terms of the manufacturing of vehicles, we contribute to the world as well. A Bloomberg study from earlier this year stated that new production processes will allow valuable palladium to replace platinum in a variety of petrol-powered cars.
Our platinum-rich area also supplies components used in the catalytic converters of diesel-powered vehicles. I've collected a list of Ford designs created in South Africa along with some local lore for good measure because of our distinctive market and, in fact, our love for automobiles.
Ford
South Africa and Ford have a long-standing relationship dating back more than a century. In 1903, local industrialist Arthur Youldon imported the country's first Model. It didn't take long before Atkinson's Motor Garages, a Ford dealership, was founded.
In an effort to benefit from the related tax incentives, the first Ford assembling facility was built in 1924. Vehicles were sent as kits from Canada and put together locally.
Samcor
Ford Canada and Sigma joined in 1985, establishing the South African Motor Corporation (Samcor), which started making automobiles in South Africa. Samcor later produced items for Ford and Mazda that were essentially badge engineering efforts and also locally produced Mitsubishi commercial vehicles.
Bantman
The Bantam bakkie is undoubtedly South Africa's most unique product of Ford . It was modeled on the Excursion. The second-generation vehicle, which was based on the Mazda 323, was also marketed as the Mazda Rustler.
The most well-known Bantam, was the third generation. It was available for purchase from 2002 until 2011, and nine years later, it has still not been replaced.
FMCSA
Ford withdrew from South Africa in the late 1980s in response to mounting international pressure to overthrow the cruel Apartheid state, although the corporation continued to sell locally before repurchasing a 45% interest in the business in 1994.
South Africa's company, of ford, was established in 1998 after the company fully acquired Samcor (FMCSA)