Arusha — Foreign-manufactured motor vehicles, mostly used in Tanzania and East Africa, may be compelled to set up assembling plants in the region as leaders mull reducing importation of cars from overseas.   The new strategy mulled by the EAC Heads of State might lead to automobile manufacturers specialising in such popular and fast selling brands as Toyota, Nissan, Volkswagen and Yutong in Japan, China, and Europe to starting to.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 4th March 2016

Ashok Leyland which is the second largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in India and fourth largest manufacturer of buses in the world is planning to construct a US$ 5m assembly plant in Kenya that will help in the expansion of the commercial vehicle market.   The company’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Gopal Mahadevan confirmed the reports and said that they are aiming at constructing at least three assembly plants in Africa,.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 18th February 2016

As a child, Ugandan Paul Isaac Musasizi always had busy hands. He regularly pulled apart the family television, and used motors from old cassette players to make toy cars.   Now, in his mid-thirties, he's the CEO of technology company Kiira Motors Corporation and the brains behind Africa's first solar-powered electric bus which makes its debut on February 16.   "In Uganda, we have non-stop sun," he says. "No other.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 18th February 2016

With the laying of rail tracks set to be complete by December, the completion of the Standard Gauge Railway is going to be one of the big stories this year. The modern railway is expected to open to first commercial traffic in June 2017.   Transport CS James Macharia is already sounding optimistic, lauding the progress made so far and noting that big impact on the economy will be recorded this year even as the tracks are laid on the.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 6th January 2016

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming said Tuesday China is keen to strengthen cooperation with Ethiopia in the infrastructure development and transportation sector. Zhang made the remarks after he visited the Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit constructed by the China Railway Group in the capital of the East African country. Zhang said infrastructure development and transportation sector are among the various fields China and Ethiopia are.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 6th January 2016

Africa's automobile sector may contribute at least 4.5 per cent of 2016 global automobile sales as a result of the country's increased investment in the automobile sector in 2015, which encouraged local production.   This was contained in the review report of the trends in the automobile sector in Nigeria by online vehicle marketplace, Carmudi.com.ng.   According to the report, "In 2015, investment in the automobile industry.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 4th January 2016

Daimler Trucks & Buses South Africa (DTBSA) is supplying around 40 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to the Tshwane rapid transit system, with the first buses to be in operation in the first quarter of next year, says DTBSA executive director Kobus van Zyl. “We are busy with the homologation process.” Van Zyl says the City of Tshwane is responsible for providing the fuelling infrastructure for the CNG fleet. A CNG bus would.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 29th December 2015

A new MAN and Volkswagen (VW) heavy-commercial vehicle servicing facility has opened in Nairobi, Kenya. The R32.5-million, 9 000 m2 facility is owned by industrialist Rajinder Singh Baryan, MD of RT East Africa Limited (RTEAL). Print Send to Friend 0 0 “The new facility will offer after-sales service for MAN trucks, with . . . 12 truck service bays, and carry an extensive inventory of MAN parts,” says Baryan.   “Our new.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 29th December 2015

Tanzania’s Tanga Port has acquired three new barges for US$10mn that will significantly increase storage capacity, reduce operational costs and improve overall port performance port robertpratt flickrThe new barges will enhance the port's operational efficiency. (Image source: RobertPlatt/Flickr) The new barges have the capacity to carry 3,500 tonnes of general and bulk cargo each at a time or 192 containers of 20 feet each, at a time..... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 28th December 2015

When Nigeria first unveiled incentives for carmakers to set up plants its auto industry had ground to a standstill. Fast forward two years, and there are at least 36 automakers with production licenses in the continent’s biggest economy, with Volkswagen AG, Nissan Motor Co. and Ford Motor Co. already making vehicles with local partners. The country is seeking to join South Africa as the only manufacturing base for the car industry in.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 24th December 2015

It may be a bit of a long shot, but African countries like Nigeria could be the final frontier for any automakers looking to cash in on the benefits of globalization and the financial fortitude of emerging markets. Long considered a lost cause due to prolific amounts of poverty, Africans in certain countries have amassed enough wealth that car manufacturers are actually starting to consider the continent’s legitimacy as a contender for.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 24th December 2015

 South Africa's automotive sector has received a major boost with the launch of the combi metre production facility by Hesto Harnesses in KwaZulu-Natal.   Hesto Harnesses manufactures wiring harnesses for the automotive industry from a factory situated in Stanger, 90km north of Durban. The company supplies automotive electrical distribution systems, commonly known as wiring harnesses and combination (combi) meters, to original.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 15th December 2015