| Dear
Andy,
This
response is directed to the first part of your query regarding the history
of the Ford Motors Company in Egypt.
All
of the Ford Motor cars, prior to WWII, were built by Ford Italiana
SPA, which established an assembly plant in 1923 in Trieste
(located at that time in Italy). These particular cars were
for export to the Middle East and the Balkans.
During this period there were no Ford Cars assembled in Egypt.
However,
there was a Ford Service Franchise located in Alexandria,
which serviced and repaired the Ford automobiles which had been
imported into Egypt.
In
his article, HISTORY OF MOTORING IN EGYPT (The Egyptian
Gazette, March 2, 1997) , Samir Raafat wrote the following:
"Alfred and
Edward
Flower, would become the pioneers of modern motoring in Egypt. When
they first opened shop, they were concessionaires for the emerging
automotive giant Ford. Later, they would become the dealers
of the top names in the business." |
In
1958
Ford announced entry into the heavy and extra-heavy truck market.
It was at that time that an assembly plant for trucks was established in
Alexandria. The photo above was taken in 1959 in this
plant in Alexandria. Approximately 80% of the parts
were manufactured abroad, and only 20% in Egypt.
Most
automotive engineers who worked in Egypt had been trained at Ford
Belgium which was founded in Antwerp, Belgium, and operated
from 1922 until WWII.
This
would lead me to believe that your grandfather must have been working in
the Ford Service Franchise in Alexandria, not the assembly
plant, which was established later, and only for trucks, not cars.
This
information was passed on to me by Dr. M. El-Baroudy, a member of
this list.
Hope
this is helpful in solving some of the mystery surrounding your grandfather's
life in Egypt.
Karima |
