Description
Ford South Africa doesn't only compete with Toyota, Isuzu and other brands for customers.
When it comes to securing future investment, it is competing with Ford factories in Thailand, Argentina, China, and around the world.
And that changes the conversation completely. At naamsa AutoWeek 2026, Cars.co.za BizCars host Alan Quinn sat down with Neale Hill, President of Ford Motor Company South Africa, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of the South African automotive industry.
Ford's local footprint is enormous. Its Silverton operation contributes roughly 1% of South Africa's GDP, Ford exports more than 100,000 vehicles annually, and its broader local ecosystem supports tens of thousands of jobs.
But maintaining that position is becoming increasingly difficult.
In this episode, Alan and Neale discuss:
Why 2026 has been such an unpredictable year for the automotive industry
Rising fuel prices, inflation and interest-rate pressure
Why strong new-car sales are creating questions around used-car values
South Africa's port, rail and logistics challenges
Why Ford says the logistics crisis currently rivals — or exceeds — the impact of load shedding
How Ford South Africa competes globally for future investment
Ford's contribution to South African GDP, jobs and exports
The rapid rise of imported Chinese automotive brands
Why locally invested manufacturers want a more level playing field
The case for stronger “Buy Local” procurement
Why South Africa needs a clearer New Energy Vehicle strategy
The risk of becoming an “ICE dinosaur” as global markets electrify
Why Ford builds the Ranger Plug-in Hybrid locally but does not yet sell it here
The business case behind the new Ranger Super Duty
Pressure on dealers, used-car values and large balloon payments
Why Ford believes long-term customer support and sustainable dealer networks matter
Neale also explains an important reality facing South African manufacturing:
Winning locally is not enough.
If South Africa becomes too expensive or difficult as a manufacturing base, global investment can simply go somewhere else.
At the same time, Ford has invested approximately R33 billion in South Africa over the past 14 years and continues to manufacture vehicles for more than 100 global markets.
So the question becomes:
What does South Africa need to do today to remain part of the global automotive industry tomorrow?
Let us know what you think in the comments.
Subscribe to Cars.co.za for more conversations with the CEOs, presidents and decision-makers shaping the future of South Africa's automotive industry.
Cars.co.za BizCars — conversations with the people shaping the business of cars.
00:00 Welcome to Cars.co.za BizCars
01:15 Neale Hill: How Is Ford SA Doing in 2026?
03:45 Geopolitics, Fuel Prices & an Unpredictable Year
07:10 Interest Rates and the SA New-Car Market
09:40 Why Used-Car Values Are Under Pressure
12:05 South Africa's Port & Logistics Crisis
15:45 Is Logistics Now Worse Than Load Shedding?
18:20 Ford SA's Real Competition Isn't Toyota
21:35 Why Global Investment Could Go Somewhere Else
23:45 Ford's 1% Contribution to South Africa's GDP
26:25 80,000 Jobs and 100,000+ Vehicle Exports
28:35 Chinese Brands and the “Level Playing Field”
32:00 Why South Africa Needs to Buy Local
34:05 EVs, NEVs and the Ranger Plug-in Hybrid
36:10 Could South Africa Become an “ICE Dinosaur”?
38:20 Bronco, F-150 and the Ranger Super Duty
40:15 Dealer Health, Used-Car Values & Balloon Risk
42:20 Ford's Long-Term Customer Strategy
43:48 Final Thoughts with Neale Hill
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