Ford and Mazda of South Africa are going through
a divorce. The two have decided to
part ways as far as distribution is
concerned, meaning you will no longer see Ford
and Mazda cars on the same showroom floors. This will be concluded by the
end of August 2014.
“Consistent with our One Ford plan to have a laser focus on
the Ford brand as well as our continually expanding product portfolio in South Africa, we will move
to fully dedicated Ford dealerships
after the separation,” says Jeff Nemeth,
President and CEO FMCSA.
“Mazda and Ford
have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship for many years in South
Africa,” said Hiroshi Inoue, Executive Officer, in charge of New Emerging Market Operation, Mazda
Motor Corporation. “Mazda will now have the opportunity to forge its own strategic direction in South Africa.”
While this divorce means a separation, Mazda will continue
to benefit from Ford’s plant in Silverton
where the BT-50 and Ranger are jointly built. However, we expect Mazda to go off and find its own
premises in the same way as Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo did when they were separated from former owners Ford. Incidentally
all three brands ended up with headquarters in Irene, Centurion.
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