Simba Corp Commences Sale of Locally Assembled Proton Saga Saloon Car

Posted on : Thursday, 11th March 2021

The CEO of the company, Dinesh Kotecha, said, "We are looking forward to the Proton Saga and indeed the Proton brand storming the Kenyan market because we believe that this is a solution that our customers have been waiting for and finally delivered."

The Proton Saga is manufactured locally at the Associated Vehicle Assemblers plant in Mombasa and comes with a 5 year warranty of 150,000KM.

Kotecha said the firm had signed a number of banks to make it easier for its customers to buy this zero-mileage, high-value vehicle.

The vehicle also comes with a 4-star NCAP safety rating and will have over 50 service locations throughout the country.

Adil Popat, Executive Chairman of Simba Corporation, said, "When Kenyans asked for an inexpensive car, we figured it was a high order. Simba Corp took up the task and delivered it." 

"The launch of the Proton Saga shows how a constructive collaboration between the government, the private sector and all stakeholders in the industry will produce solutions whose effect would be felt by customers at all levels of the Kenyan economy."

In his speech, Lawrence Karanja, Chief Administrative Secretary of the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development, said that the Government is celebrating the growth and development of the manufacturing sector in Kenya in a bid to achieve Vision 2030. 

"The Government's mission is to make Kenya a regional center for automotive assembly and manufacturing. As a country, we help the industry by committed to buying locally assembled vehicles because we believe in Buy Kenya and Build Kenya as this creates jobs, skills development and transfer for our youth, research and development, as well as the promotion of environmental protection."

Kenya Auto Bazaar Association Chairman Major John Kipchumba said, "We don't import because we love used cars, we do it because of demand. We are looking for affordable vehicles that are fuel-efficient and modern, with zero mileage, and the Proton Saga is here to answer this."

Naresh Leekha, Managing Director of Simba Corporation Motor Division, said in his closing address, "We have the utmost faith that Proton will change the automotive industry and the lives of our customers. The 5-year warranty, attractive financing options, security features, after-sales network, everything for a brand new zero-mileage vehicle assembled locally is an unbeatable bargain.The future is indeed bright.”

Proton joins the rising list of world-renowned automotive brands that have chosen Kenya as their home and are being assembled by AVA in Mombasa. During the Mombasa launch in December 2020, President Kenyatta said that Kenya is now on the verge of offering Kenyans the opportunity to own zero-mile vehicles that are accessible, well-designed and can attract funding.

It provides a decent value for money compared to what was previously open to Kenyan customers. Kenyans can purchase a brand-new, secure vehicle at the same price that is currently spent on purchasing a second-hand vehicle and, in addition, promote economic growth by creating jobs for young Kenyans.

The vehicle is assembled at the Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA) in Mombasa, which is also wholly owned by Simba Corporation.