Samcor

rdf:langString Samcor

rdf:langString South African Motor Corporation (Samcor)

rdf:langString South African Motor Corporation

rdf:langString The South African Motor Corporation, more commonly known as Samcor, was a South African car manufacturer created in 1985 through the merger of Ford Motor Company of Canada's South African subsidiary and Sigma Motor Corporation (previously known as Amcar), which produced Mazdas for the local market. As a result of the merger, Ford and Mazda began to share models in South Africa, as they already did in other markets like Australia. For example, in 1986, the European-sourced Ford Escort was replaced by the Laser and Meteor based on the Mazda 323 hatchback and sedan respectively and manufactured locally from 1986 up to the Ford Escort's re-introduction in 1995. Similarly, in 1993, the Ford Sierra hatch and Sapphire sedan were replaced by the Ford Telstar (1993-1998), based on the Mazda 626. However, this badge engineering proved unpopular with many South African buyers and came to an end in 1998 when the Mondeo replaced the Telstar in this market. In 1988, Ford divested from South Africa and sold its 42 per cent stake in Samcor, although it would continue to sell Ford-branded automobile components for assembly and sale in the country. In addition to Ford and Mazda products, Samcor also assembled Mitsubishi commercial vehicles, with the Mitsubishi L300 minibus being badged as the Ford Husky. In 1994, Ford (USA) bought a 45 per cent stake in Samcor, and in 1998, bought the remaining share, renaming the company FMCSA Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa in 2000. In 2015 FMCSA, now under complete Ford (USA) ownership, closed all of the Port Elizabeth assembly plants and transferred all of their South African manufacturing activities to the Silverton, Pretoria assembly plant.