1.
LV PAN FACTORY.
0.12

2.
SV FORD SIGN.
0.14

3.
SV FORD FLAGS FLYING.
0.16

4.
GV PAN CAR PARK TO DESERTED ENTRANCE.
0.27

5.
SV WORKING MOTORCYCLES PARKED.
0.30

6.
GV PACKING CRATES AND DESERTED BUILDINGS.
0.41

7.
SV WATER TOWER WITH FORD SIGN.
0.44

8.
GV PACKING CASES.
0.46

9.
GV PAN DESERTED PARK WHERE PRODUCTION CARS ARE NORMALLY STORED.
0.59



Initials PW/VS/AS/BB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: ECONOMIC SANCTIONS BANNING THE SHIPMENT OF MATERIALS FROM BRITAIN TO RHODESIA HAVE BROUGHT THE FORD ASSEMBLY PLANT IN SALISBURY TO A STANDSTILL. THE FACTORY, WHICH ASSEMBLES CAR KITS NORMALLY SENT OUT FROM BRITAIN, HAS COMPLETELY RUN OUT OF COMPONENTS.

THE FORD FACTORY CEASED PRODUCTION THIS WEEK WHEN STOCKPILES OF CAR KITS WERE EXHAUSTED. THE PLANT HAS BEEN RUNNING AT ONE-THIRD CAPACITY FOR SOME MONTHS.

THE STOPPAGE OF PRODUCTION AT FORDS MEANS THAT THE ONLY PLANT STILL TURNING CARS IS THE BMC ASSEMBLY LINE AT UMTALI. THIS FACTORY, TOO, IS RUNNING SHORT OF KITS AND IS MAKING ONLY ABOUT EIGHT COMPLETE CARS A DAY.

THE MAIN FOR SHOWROOMS IN SALISBURY HAD ONLY A DOZEN CARS IN STOCK ON WEDNESDAY AND DEALERS HAD NO IDEA WHERE MORE MIGHT COME FROM.

BUT FORDS ARE PROHIBITED BY THE RHODESIAN GOVERNMENT FROM DISMISSING ITS 250 WORKERS, WHO REMAIN ON THE PAY-ROLL ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO WORK FOR THEM TO DO.