Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa is expanding its operations at its Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth.
The company was involved in three safety recalls in South Africa and has been trying to rebuild its reputation after dozens of Ford Kuga’s caught alight.
It says a new assembly line will help create jobs.
The upgrades mean the Struandale plant will have the capacity to turn out 120 000 engines per annum.
This brings with it the prospect of more jobs but only in the future.
President for Middle East and Africa Jacques Brent says:”Currently there has been no increase in employment but it will have a positive impact in the long run. Our employees have been trained and capacitated for this new development.”
Youth unemployment in the metro is close to 50%.
Eight derivatives of the new engine will be assembled at this plant when production officially commences in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Ford says the expansion places Ford South Africa in a central role within the global Ford network and reaffirms its commitment to developing the automotive industry within the local market and in the broader Middle East and Africa region.
