Drought-stricken communities in the Eastern Cape are set to benefit from an innovative mobile water generation project launched by World Vision South Africa, and funded by the Bill Ford Better World Challenge, the Ford Motor Company Fund and Ford Research and Advanced Engineering.
Ford Motor Company South Africa Managing Director Neale Hill announced the project in Port Elizabeth on Friday.
Its primarily focused on assisting schools, clinics and Early Childhood Development Centres, as well as households where the need is greatest.
Mounted on a custom-built heavy-duty double-axle trailer, the unit comprises an atmospheric water generator that is capable of producing up to 900 litres of water per day, powered by a diesel generator that ensures the system is completely mobile and can be operated in any location.
Hill said Ford is committed to supporting the communities in which it operates through a wide range of volunteer programmes, and through grants awarded by the Ford Motor Company Fund.
Turning his attention to the motor vehicle industry, Hill said the South African vehicle market is showing some negative trends at the moment and is tracking about four percent down on a year-over-year basis, split between passenger vehicles and light commercial vehicles.
Hill said light commercial vehicles are trending down at about 13% currently.
He added that 2019 is a critical year for the motor industry in South Africa as its national wage negotiation-time and the world will be watching.
