South Africa’s car industry boasts several major car factories from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
These include factories from established brands such as Toyota, BMW, and Nissan, with their first facilities being established in the 1960s.
Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz arrived in South Africa slightly earlier, opening their factories in 1946 and 1954, respectively, while General Motors SA established its first factory decades prior in 1926.
However, General Motors SA would exit South Africa in 2017 as a part of its decision to leave all right-hand drive markets and focus on its core markets.
Its factory and infrastructure were handed to Isuzu in 2018 and have remained under its management ever since.
Therefore, the title for the oldest car manufacturer in South Africa goes to Ford, which established its first factory in 1923.
This was notably the first car factory ever built in South Africa, and Ford’s first assembly plant established outside of North America.
While Ford did exit direct ownership in South Africa in 1988 amid political and economic pressures, it retained technical and brand support and in 1994 returned to South Africa with renewed investments.
Based on this, Ford has operated to some extent in South Africa for over a century and is a cornerstone of the local automotive industry.
Founding and early years
Ford set up shop in South Africa in 1923, opening its first assembly plant in Port Elizabeth.
This plant assembled Model T kits imported from Canada, and later in 1930, to meet increased demand, Ford would expand its operations with a larger plant on Harrower Road, also located in Port Elizabeth.
In 1935, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) was established with Ford as a founding member.
Wartime and modernisation
In the 1940s, Ford shifted its production focus to assembling military vehicles to support the Allies in World War 2.
These military vehicles were adapted from Ford’s commercial chassis platforms and included over 60,000 units produced between 1939 and 1945.
Ford would also assist with the repair and supply of spare parts for Allied forces operating in Africa – its infrastructure in South Africa a critical foundation for this support.
Following the war, Ford resumed consumer vehicle production and in 1964 opened the Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth.
The Struandale plant was the first of its kind in South Africa, making Ford the first motoring company to manufacture engines locally for passenger cars and trucks.
Mergers and restructuring
In 1985, Ford merged its South African operations with Amcar, the successor to the Sigma Motor Corporation, to form the South African Motor Corporation (SAMCOR).
This merger was chiefly motivated to shield the Ford brand from Apartheid-era sanctions, and in 1988, it withdrew from direct operations in the country.
However, in 1994, Ford re-engaged with South Africa and, three years later, production of the Ford Fiesta in South Africa began.
Present day
Since the turn of the century, Ford has made great strides in South Africa, releasing various new models and beginning assembly on the Ranger T6.
By 2011, South Africa had grown into a global production hub for the latest Ranger, with the vehicle becoming the first pickup in history to achieve the coveted 5-Star Euro NCAP safety rating.
As of 2025, South African-built Fords are exported to over 100 countries, and the company remains a key pillar in the local automotive industry.
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