MAZDA. MAZDA in SOUTH AFRICA

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa, P. O. Box 411, Pretoria 0001, South Africa tel. +2712/8422296, fax +2712/8422394, http: //www. mazda. co. Za

MAZDA DRIFTER DOUBLE CAB

Models produced in South Africa: 3, 3 Sport, Drifter pick-up (Double Cab, Single Cab).

Production volume in South Africa in 2003 - 10,500 passenger vehicles and 6,000 pick-ups. Mazda began production activities in South Africa in June 1963. Around 1970 Mazda South Africa merged with the African Mitsubishi branch (resulting in the Illings joint venture), in 1976 Chry­sler South Africa joined (establishing the Sigma company), and in 1979 - the Citroen and Peugeot factory. In 1985 Samcor was established by Sigma and Ford, with the latter increasing its share to 90% in 2000 and changing the company’s name to Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. In 2003 pro­duction of the 323 / 323 Sting models was terminated. The Etude and Etude Sportwagon models we­re manufactured in 1999-2004, and in the years 2000-2002 - the last 626 sedan. In July 2004, the 3 sedan and 3 Sport hatchback, equipped with 1.6-liter 105 hp and 2.0-liter 141 hp engines, debu­ted in South Africa. The Drifter pick-up, produced since 2000 and restyled in 2004, is identical to the Thai Mazda Fighter, and comes with a 2.6-liter 125 hp or a 2.5-liter 109 hp TD power plant.