Ford South Africa has announced plans to retrench more than 470 employees at its local plants.
Ford job cuts confirmed in Pretoria and Gqeberha
According to trade union Solidarity, the job cuts will take place at the Silverton assembly plant in Pretoria and the Struandale engine plant in Gqeberha.
The company has issued a formal notice of its intention to retrench 391 operators at Silverton, 73 operators at Struandale, and 10 administrative staff members.
Ford says the decision is the result of a “realignment of production capacity” to match current and expected demand in the global automotive market.
Retrenchment is when a company lets go of employees, not because of misconduct or poor performance, but because of economic or operational reasons.
In this case, Ford says fewer vehicles are being produced and sold, so fewer workers are needed.
Solidarity has confirmed it will take part in consultations with Ford under the supervision of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
The CCMA is a government body that oversees disputes between workers and employers to ensure fair treatment.
Union response to Ford job cuts
Willie Venter, deputy general secretary of Solidarity, said the announcement shows the deeper problems facing the local automotive industry.
“We see this announcement as the beginning of possible greater job losses facing the entire automotive industry in South Africa,” he warned.
Venter explained that economic pressures, global political uncertainty, and restrictive government policies are making South Africa less competitive.
“When an automotive giant like Ford takes such drastic steps, it is a warning to the entire sector. We fear that further retrenchm
ents in this industry may be inevitable if conditions do not improve quickly.”
The union says it will push Ford to consider alternatives to limit the number of job losses.
“We will explore every possible alternative to limit job losses, and we will ensure that Ford not only fulfills its duty, but that employees are treated fairly,” Venter said.
The bigger picture: pressure on South Africa’s auto industry
The retrenchments at Ford come at a time when other major automotive manufacturers are also adjusting their operations in South Africa.
Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) confirmed that it temporarily halted production at its East London plant from 24 June to 30 July 2025.
The company described the shutdown as a standard “non-production period,” but noted it was also closely monitoring the impact of new US tariffs on automotive imports.
The United States is one of South Africa’s largest export markets for vehicles, and higher tariffs could affect sales volumes.
Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) also halted production at its Kariega plant earlier this year, though that shutdown was for factory upgrades to prepare for a new compact SUV model expected in 2027.
South Africa’s top vehicle exports include the Volkswagen Polo, Ford Ranger, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and BMW X3. Together, these models make up a large share of the country’s export earnings.
Solidarity has warned that the job losses at Ford will have a serious impact not only on employees but also on their families and the wider communities around Silverton and Struandale.
Many households in these areas depend directly on the salaries from the automotive sector.
“Without effective intervention and economic reform from our government, our country will have to endure even more job losses,” Venter said.
