afrol News, 30 January - Despite facing a nation-wide energy crisis, American auto giant Ford on Wednesday is going ahead with its US $206 million investment in South Africa.

The Chief Executive Officer of Ford Motor Co. in South Africa, Hal Feder said the investment would enable their factories in Pretoria and Port Elizabeth to manufacture Ford's next-generation compact pickup trucks and diesel engines.

Feder told reporters that "the magnitude of the project highlights our strategic positioning within the future global footprint of Ford Motor Company and is indicative of how South Africa can benefit from having a globally-competitive auto industry."

He said this would enable Ford to annually produce110,000 pick-ups in Pretoria and 180,000 engines in Port Elizabeth. Two third of its South African products would be exported.

Ford CEO described the investment as "strategic" considering South Africa's role as "a gateway into Africa. We are here stay,"

He admitted that electricity shortages have threatened investors, but maintained that Ford was "here to stay."

"We view it as another hurdle. No problem is a nice problem, but we went into this with our eyes open."

Last week, erratic power supply forced South Africa's major gold and platinum companies - AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields and Harmony together with the world's biggest platinum miner, Anglo Platinum - to shut down after the national energy company asked them to "reduce their energy consumption to the minimum load possible."

The development, which had slowed down economic development and business, had also forced Africa's economic giant to stop exporting power to its neighbouring countries.

Meanwhile, South African Minerals and Energy Minister, Buyelwa Sonjica told a special parliamentary session on the energy crisis that time it was about time that South Africans sleep earlier and boil less water.

"Go to sleep earlier so that you can grow and be cleverer. Boil less water, use the microwave rather than stove, take a shower and not a shallow bath," she advised, revealing a 10-point plan on behavioural change towards electricity usage.

Sonjica commended the leadership of the governing ANC for its timely help in dealing with the "national emergency.”

She attributed the crisis to the "high demand" of energy, a trend that caused blackouts in major economies, including the USA and Europe.

"We are confident that we have the ability to turn around the situation. We reassure the South African community and the world at large that all our projects will be on course and that the 2010 FIFA World Cup is not under threat."

By staff writer

© afrol News

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