06:05 AM EDT, 08/29/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Ford Motor's ( F ) South African business intends to lay off over 470 employees to realign production capacity in an effort to meet market demand, trade union Solidarity said in a statement Thursday.

The union said the planned layoffs include 391 operator positions at Ford's Silverton vehicle factory in Pretoria, 73 workers at the Struandale engine factory in Gqeberha, and 10 administrative staff.

"We will explore every possible alternative to limit job losses, and we will ensure that Ford not only fulfills its duty, but that employees are treated fairly," said Willie Venter, deputy general secretary of Solidarity.

Ford Motor Company ( F ) of Southern Africa confirmed the layoffs, adding that the changes are part of efforts to "optimise production and respond to evolving market demands", several media outlets reported.