Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has been criticised for seeming to focus purely on its bakkie and bakkie-based SUV products and, with the demise of the Figo, Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, EcoSport and Kuga, consumers could be forgiven for thinking that the brand’s passenger cars were all dying out.
However, rumours of Ford’s passenger car offerings being killed off are greatly exaggerated as the Blue Oval brand this week confirmed a jam-packed 2024, in which several Ford new products will be launched in the local market. We’ve already seen the first units of the Ford Puma reach showrooms over the past two months and initial sales have been positive, with almost 100 finding homes in October 2023.
In the next couple of years, FMCSA will bring in an array of new cars, including a medium SUV, a battery-electric vehicle and the 7th-gen Mustang sportscar, as well as more Ranger bakkie derivatives and a pair of commercial offerings. We list the new arrivals below and share some details plus our initial thoughts.
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One of the most anticipated new Ford products for 2024 is the Territory, which will make a belated return to local showrooms in the 2nd quarter. It’s an automatic 5-seater medium SUV/family car that’s powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder producing 140 kW and 320 Nm of torque. Inside, it features a panoramic display that features a 12.3-inch digital dashboard and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.
Our thoughts: Ford hasn’t had a road-focused family SUV since the Kuga departed (which lives on in other markets). This Territory is assembled in China and is also known as the Ford Equator. If pricing is around the R700k mark, it should make a dent in VW Tiguan, Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 sales.
The all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E will be launched in South Africa in 2025. Purists may laugh at the notion of a Mach-E, because it’s everything that a muscle car isn’t: an all-electric 4-door SUV, but you cannot deny that a (claimed) 0-100 kph time of just 3.7 seconds is eye-wateringly fast.
The final specification is yet to be confirmed, but overseas markets get a variety of trim and performance levels. The flagship GT features a dual-motor, all-wheel drive, adaptive suspension and Brembo brakes.
Our thoughts: Pricing will be critical. As things stand, the South African Government still levies a high rate of tax on the importation of battery-electric cars, so the Mach-E could turn out to be just a toy for wealthy enthusiasts. The car was also revealed back in 2021, so it could be due for an update by 2025.
The 7th-gen Ford Mustang is another model in Ford’s new product line-up for SA. When it arrives in early 2024, the ‘Stang will offer more performance, radical styling and a fighter jet-inspired cockpit. With 362 kW and 567 Nm on tap, the new Mustang is likely to be a sure-fire petrolhead’s happy place.
Following on from the Mustang’s launch will be the arrival of the Mustang Dark Horse in the second quarter of 2024. It has a more aggressive bodykit and power has been cranked up to 372 kW! Ford says the Dark Horse will be the most track-focused Mustang yet.
Our thoughts: There would be a national day of mourning if FMCSA decided to discontinue its iconic muscle car and we’re delighted that the new model’s coming. We hope the newcomer will continue to offer sportscar performance at a reasonable price, but the Dark Horse sounds very special. Bring it on!
The Tremor was one of two Ranger derivatives announced by Ford. Locally built, the Tremor is a pocket-friendly off-road-focused Ranger that is based on the XLT derivative. It features an upgraded chassis, unique Bilstein suspension and trick off-road tyres.
Our thoughts: We’d all love a Wildtrak or Raptor, but the reality is they’re not affordable vehicles. With the Tremor, Ford could carve out a niche for itself with a capable and rugged double-cab bakkie priced under the Wildtrak’s R829 800.
On the other side of the coin is the Ford Ranger Platinum, which is claimed to be the most luxurious and comfortable Ranger sold in South Africa. There are matrix LED headlights, soft-close tailgate and larger wheels, while the cabin gets some plush quilted leather seats with heating and cooling functionality. There’s the 184 kW 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine on duty.
Our thoughts: Ford’s made a clever play here and is attempting to cover every angle with its Ranger. If you want ultimate luxury in a double-cab bakkie and think the Raptor is too thirsty and childish, then the Platinum will tick the box. We reckon this will be SA’s most expensive Ranger.
On the commercial side of things, Ford’s new product line-up will include the Tourneo and Transit vans. The Tourneo will be arriving in the first quarter of 2024 in Trend guise, with more trim levels arriving by the middle of the year. The vehicle is aimed at both personal and business customers and, um, focused on practicality and space. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre single turbodiesel engine with 131 kW.
The Ford Transit has a stellar history and was Europe’s most popular van and the 2nd best-selling vehicle in the UK in 2022. The base model will arrive in the first quarter, with higher grades touching down by the middle of the year. Ford says the new Transit Custom was inspired by customer feedback and features some smart and practical touches, such as the tilting steering wheel, which doubles as a work surface.
Ranger PHEV will be built in SA
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