Ford?s half-ton Bantam bakkie bids a sad farewell

WITH its rugged features and hard working aptitude, the trusty Ford Bantam has epitomised the Built Ford Tough ethos for nearly three decades.

The Bantam, known as the bakkie that built the nation developed and built by South Africans, for Southern Africans in South Africa, was the product of home-grown expertise purpose-designed to suit local operating environ ments.

?Southern African consumers were first introduced to the Ford Bantam in 1983,? said Jeff Nemeth, President and CEO of Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. ?It was a uniquely South African innovation that for 28 years combined the durability and reliability of a pick-up with the comfort and performance of a passenger car. But now the time has come for us to say goodbye to this South African motoring icon.?

The last Bantam rolled off the line at approximately 11:45 on Thursday, 17 November 2011. The occasion marked the end of an era for Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) with staff attending a special farewell ceremony.

While the Bantam will always be remembered as a significant model in South Africa?s motoring heritage the farewell was a bitter sweet affair as the Bantam has made way for the newly introduced All-New Ford Ranger.

The Bantam has been the face of the ?Built Ford Tough? ethos and lays claim to being South Africa?s longest running nameplate for Ford South Africa. Though production of the pick-up has drawn to an end, Ford will continue to offer aftersales support to Bantam customers. Thanks to its high local content and Ford?s extensive dealer network, customers can rest assured that they will receive the same high levels of Ford support as before.