Mazda and Ford are to part company
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) and Mazda Motor Corporation (MC) have announced that FMCSA has decided to return Mazda distribution rights for Southern Africa to MC. The transition is expected to take place in approximately one year.
Jeff Nemeth
The current global corporate partnership between Ford Motor Company and Mazda Motor Corporation on platforms and technologies remains unchanged.
“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,” said Jeff Nemeth, president and chief executive officer of FMCSA.
While the move allows FMCSA to fully execute and support the One Ford plan, the strategic decision to return the distribution rights will benefit both brands in the long term. The Mazda brand in South Africa will benefit from its own vision supported by a dedicated and focused team supplying new products going forward.
“Mazda and Ford have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship for many years in South Africa,” said Hiroshi Inoue, executive officer, in charge of emerging markets at Mazda Motor Corporation. “Mazda will now have the opportunity to forge its own strategic direction in South Africa.”
Mazda will establish a new national sales company in South Africa to take over the Mazda sales and service business from FMCSA. Mazda’s BT-50 pickup truck will continue to be produced at the Silverton assembly plant by FMCSA for the new company after the transition.
