Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa has launched a corporate manifesto outlining its plans for a second century in South Africa. The manifesto, unveiled on 1 September 2026, calls for policy conditions that allow local vehicle manufacturers to compete fairly with importers. This announcement follows the company's centenary in South Africa in 2023. The manifesto links the future of locally built vehicles and the jobs they create to the outcome of ongoing policy discussions.
Neale Hill, President of Ford Motor Company, Africa Operations, emphasized that the company intends to champion industry and industrialization as drivers of shared value during its second century. He described the manifesto as a purposeful signal rather than a marketing exercise. As the oldest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in South Africa, Ford aims to move beyond honoring its past and set a clear vision for the future.
The manifesto carries a direct policy message, with Hill stating that Ford South Africa has never simply been a manufacturer operating within the country. Instead, the company sees itself as a builder of industry, skills, communities, and national capability. Ford pledges to continue investing, building, and employing, while supporting policy and regulatory conditions that allow local manufacturers to compete fairly against importers.
One of the key routes mentioned in the manifesto is the ongoing development of the second phase of the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP2). The goal is to ensure that companies investing capital, creating jobs, and building local skills are not at a structural disadvantage compared to those that do not share the same commitment to the country. Hill noted that hundreds of thousands of livelihoods depend on getting the balance right.
Ford is calling on government, policymakers, industry partners, and fellow manufacturers to join it in advocating for a regulatory framework with three aims: supporting local industrialization, protecting existing investment, and creating conditions for continued growth. The company argues that a fair and level playing field is essential for the millions of South Africans whose livelihoods depend, directly and indirectly, on the local automotive industry.
The manifesto will be rolled out across Ford South Africa's brand, dealer, and internal communications channels. It supports the company's broader commitment to local manufacturing, export growth, and community investment. A video of the manifesto, titled "A Century of Roots, A Century Ahead," can be watched on YouTube. This initiative aligns with Ford's efforts to promote sustainable and equitable growth in the automotive sector.
The release of the manifesto comes as Ford South Africa looks to its second century in the country. With a focus on fair competition and industrialization, the company aims to contribute to the growth and development of the local automotive industry. By advocating for policy changes, Ford hopes to create a more level playing field for local manufacturers and ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry.
Key points
- Ford South Africa's manifesto calls for fair policy to let local manufacturers compete with importers.
- The company aims to champion industry and industrialization during its second century in South Africa.
- The manifesto supports local industrialization, protects existing investment, and creates conditions for growth.
