As Ford's only manufacturing operation in the Middle East and Africa‚ Ford Southern Africa is in pole position to benefit from the group's decision to intensify marketing and production in sub-Saharan Africa‚ says Stephen Odell‚ president of Ford's European‚ Middle East and African operations. Ford has the capacity to increase it production in South Africa, particularly of the Ranger model. Ford has the capacity to.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 2nd October 2015

 Sub-Saharan Africa’s first light rail system or metro was inaugurated in Addis Ababa last weekend, said the head of the Ethiopian Railways Corporation Getachew Betru metro HernnPiera flickrThe Addis Metro will comprise two lines – one from east to west and the other from south to centre.  The Addis Metro runs 17 km from industrial areas south of Addis Ababa to the centre. A second line that will run east to west, is.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 25th September 2015

 The mega electrified light rail system in Ethiopia which cost US$ 475m during construction has finally commenced operation, head of Ethiopia Railways Corporation Getachew Betru has confirmed. The rail construction project was largely supported by China’s Export-Import Bank.   The 32km light rail system in Ethiopia which is Africa’s first light rail is expected to carry a capacity of up to 15,000 people per hour in one.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 25th September 2015

 Kenyan firm Bico has partnered with Liebherr which is a German heavy machinery maker to construct an assembling plant in Kenya in the capital Nairobi. The assembling plant in Kenya which is estimated to cost US$ 218m will see the assembly of road construction and agricultural equipment done in Kenya. The registered Kenyan company, Bico intends to produce at least 30 units of earth movers, water drilling machines and farm machinery such.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 22nd September 2015

Car manufacturer Toyota is well known, but Toyota Tshusho less so. We spoke to the trading subsidiary to find out more about its African operations.   Toyota Tsusho, established in 1948, is the sole general trading company within the Toyota Group. It has some 53,000 employees and its global network encompasses Japan, approximately 90 other countries and over 950 consolidated companies.   Since its foundation, we have been involved.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 14th September 2015

 Leading automobile brand Kia Motors Nigeria has unveiled a new assembly plant in Lagos, which is expected to produce 25,000 vehicles every year   The plant named United Vehicle Assembly Limited (UVAL) will be part of Nigeria's robust automotive policy of making the nation a leading manufacturing hub, said officials from UVAL. Nigerian minister for industry, trade and investment Olusegun Aganga paid a visit to the plant, stating.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 9th September 2015

 The construction of a new mega modern engine factory in Ethiopia has commenced. The Ethiopian government is constructing a new engine factory that can manufacture different types of engines.   The industrial unit is set to manufacture about twenty to thirty thousand different types of engines for tractors, cars, trucks, building industry machines and other small engines annually.   The engine factory is under construction in.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 4th September 2015

E-hailing taxi company Uber is reportedly negotiating cheaper deals for new vehicles with Kia to boost its number of drivers fivefold in the Nigerian city of Lagos.   Bloomberg reported that Uber is hoping the low-cost deals will help boost its driver tally in Lagos – Africa's most populous city – to 3,000 by the end of next year.   The report says that Uber has signed agreements with Kia and Lagos-based Access Bank Plc.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 3rd September 2015

TOYOTA has left its Taco sitting on the counter since 2005, and it has almost gotten stale. By default, those hungry for a mid-size truck have had no choice but to clog their noses and scarf down what Chef Toyota was cranking out of its kitchen until the new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon came out. Now Toyota's cooked up a new taco.   Toyota, the long-time king of the mid-sizers, has been displaced from the top of the leader board. And.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 29th August 2015

Mahindra Two Wheelers Limited, a member of the Mahindra Group has expanded its business operation to Nigeria with the launched of its two wheeler range in the country. Mahindra Group is a $16.9 billion automotive global business.   The firm has also appointed M/s VIP Merchandise Enterprise Limited as its distributor for Mahindra two wheelers which includes the Mahindra Arro and the Centuro.   Speaking at the launch, Head Exports,.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 24th August 2015

 The government has acquired 100 per cent stake in the defunct General Tyre East Africa (GTEA) in an effort to revamp the once model tyre manufacturing plant in East and Central Africa.   However, despite the previous arrangement that gave it the majority shareholder of 74 per cent with the German firm Continental Arktiengesellschaft (Continental AG) holding a 26 per cent stake, the firm  failed to take off, igniting widespread.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 22nd August 2015

Ford Motor Company has announced that it will begin assembly of the Ford Ranger pickup truck in Nigeria from Q4 2015 as part of its expansion plans for the Middle East and Africa The pickup will be assembled in Ikeja, situated in Lagos State. For the project, Ford is partnering with its dealer group Coscharis Motors, stated the company.   Ford Middle East and Africa president Jim Benintende said, “Assembling Ford Ranger trucks in.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 21st August 2015