Ford SA has committed to importing Australia's top-selling sport utility vehicle - a four-litre, 182kW station wagon that was shown at Auto Africa in October last year.
Ford Australia president Tom Gorman told motoring.co.za: "We were confident we had an excellent product in the Ford Territory and the decision by Ford SA to add it to its vehicle line-up is testament to the quality of the product we are building in Australia."
No showroom arrival date has yet been fixed, but it is understood the Territory should be available in South Africa in the third quarter of 2005.
Ford SA will have three models in its line-up - TX and Ghia rear-wheel drive versions and a range-topping 4x4, also kitted-out to Ghia specification. All with have the 380Nm (at 3250rpm) 4.0 straight-six engine used in the Ford Falcon.
Gorman added: "The SUV market in South Africa is replicating what we are seeing in Australia and has grown more than 60 percent since 2002.
"Ford SA was very interested in the development of Territory and made an official approach to us early in 2004.
"We sent over a prototype midway through 2004, and the Ford SA team was very impressed by the combination of SUV versatility and car-like dynamics."
The Territory is Ford SA's first big station wagon since it imported limited numbers of the not-too-successful Ford Explorer in the middle 1980's.
Gorman said the programme to make the car compliant with South Africa Bureau of Standards regulations began in July 2004.
Robert Graziano, president and CEO of Ford SA, said: "We expect this exciting new SUV to do well, given its success in Australia.
"The Territory will arrive at an opportune time to assist in our efforts to take the Ford brand to greater heights.
"South Africa has unique driving conditions - high altitudes, high speeds - but the excellent work of the Australian development team meant little change was required."
They involve:
- Minor modifications to the frames of the second-row seat.
- Anti-shatter tape on the back of the mirrors.
- A unique "interior command centre" with the control knobs recessed by 3.4mm.
- A new radiator using the core from the Boss 260 4V V8 engine.
- The inclusion of a reflective safety triangle.
The complete range of Territory accessories will be offered to South African customers - except for the DVD satellite navigation system.
Gorman said the first South African Territory would roll off its assembly lines towards the end of March.
"We anticipate annual sales of as many as 2 000 Territorys in South Africa."
The wagon is already being exported to New Zealand, where more than 1400 units were sold in 2004 to lead the SUV market there.
It has also been the best-selling SUV in Australia since July 2004 - more than 15 000 units in its first nine months.
- Read an Australian review of the Territory.