Ford Motor(US:F) Xi Niu Cai Jing·2025-09-05 07:45Group 1 - Ford South Africa plans to lay off approximately 470 workers in response to market demand changes and to optimize production structure, affecting the Silverton assembly plant in Pretoria and the Struandale engine plant in Port Elizabeth [2] - The Silverton plant has been a significant part of local manufacturing since its inception in 1923, and Ford invested $1 billion in 2021 to expand operations and increase the production capacity of the Ranger pickup from 168,000 to 200,000 units annually [2] - Despite the investment and strong sales performance, including a projected 25,552 units sold in 2024, Ford's decision to cut jobs is closely linked to its global strategic adjustments, particularly its shift towards electrification [2] Group 2 - The South African automotive industry faces challenges such as low local sales, an influx of imported vehicles, a significant drop in exports to the U.S., and ongoing economic pressures, leading to a decline in industry competitiveness [3] - Over the past two years, 12 automotive-related companies in South Africa have closed, resulting in the loss of over 4,000 jobs, indicating the industry's struggles amid transformation [3] - Ford's performance in the Chinese market remains strong, with continuous profitability for eight consecutive quarters, and the company is expected to focus more on this market as a stable source of revenue [3]