Despite Ford and Mazda’s effective split three years ago, the two entities managed to soldier on side by side in our market – until now. Ford Motor Company South Africa (FMCSA) and Mazda Motor Corporation (MC) have announced that the two will split approximately a year from now.
This development will see Mazda distribution rights returned to Mazda Motor Corporation with a split in local dealerships envisaged before the end of 2014.
According to FMCSA CEO, Jeff Nemeth, the separation will afford the company greater focus on its growing product portfolio through a network of dedicated Ford dealerships.
Mazda will establish a new National Sales Company in South Africa that will move both sales and servicing business away from Ford. Mazda’s board has also determined that the separation will enable the Japanese brand to better determine its market representation strategy in Southern Africa.
There will still be some interaction between the brands in the interim. Production of Mazda’s BT-50 pick-up will continue to take place in FMCSA’s Silverton plant and FMCSA’s dealership and service centre infrastructure will continue to sell and maintain Mazda products during the transition period.
