The Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited (IVM) made history late in November 2014, when it unveiled 500 made-in-Nigeria cars, built at its plant in Umudim, Nnewi, Anambra State, thus becoming the first indigenous manufacturer to achieve this milestone. The vehicles – the IVM Fox hatchback and the IVM Umu saloon cars – are built mainly with local content and are priced lower than imported brands. The Fox, a five-seater,.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 27th April 2015

The government has once again expressed its commitment to reviving the Arusha-based General Tyre East African Limited (GTEA) factory before the end of this year.   Janeth Mbene,  the  deputy Minister for Industry and Trade was last week here to brief on the government’s plans on reviving the tyre-making plant.   “As government, we are interested to see the factory resumes operation as soon as possible. But, I.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 27th January 2015

The number of new cars sold in Kenya jumped 18 percent last year and is expected to grow further this year, reflecting middle-class demand and growth in sectors such as construction, the industry association said on Wednesday. The east African nation's car market is dominated by low-priced second-hand imports from countries such as Japan, but investors monitor new car sales to gauge the health of the economy. New car sales rose to 17,179 in.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 23rd January 2015

 IMPORTERS of used motor vehicles yesterday accused the Kenya Bureau of Standards of "selectively" extending the contract for two pre-shipment inspection companies, leaving out a major player in the sector.The Car Importers Association of Kenya said the decision to extend the contract for Quality Inspection Services Inc, Japan and Auto Terminal Japan, leaving out Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Centre Company Ltd is.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 19th January 2015

 Rising demand for luxury cars and increased orders for commercial vehicles pushed new motor vehicles sales to a record high last year, reflecting wealthy Kenyans’ growing penchant for high-end goods and vibrant economic activity.   Data from the Kenya Motor Industry Association (KMI) shows that new vehicle dealers sold 17,499 units in 2014, marking a new high since the liberalisation of the local motor trade in the 1990s that.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 15th January 2015

India’s Tata Group yesterday said it is in talks with partners in Africa to set up new assembly lines for commercial and passenger vehicles in Kenya and Tunisia.   Tata Motors head of international business R.T. Wasan said that the company will form alliances to sell commercial vehicles in Africa.   “We have identified a few partners in Tunisia and Kenya,” said Wasan. “They will be assembling our small,.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 11th December 2014

TVS has officially commissioned its assembly line at Nakuru, Kenya. It has also officially announced that there will be two bikes launched specifically catering to the usability, reliability and durability needs of the Kenyan markets. TVS has been present in the Kenyan market for more than 10 years and shares its distribution efforts with Kenya-based Car & General. The TVS two-wheelers sold in the Kenyan market are the MAX 4R, Star.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 11th December 2014

When Nigeria, on October 3, 2013, announced the introduction of a new automotive policy aimed at discouraging the importation of wholly assembled automobile and encouraging local manufacturing, it seemed like a tall dream. But building on recent local assembly successes, by Hyundai and Nissan, was last week’s unveiling of a new brand of cars by indigenous company, Innoson Motors. Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited founded by.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 11th December 2014

Auto parts maker, Delphi Automotive Plc, has opened its third production unit in Kenitra, Morocco. The facility will provide jobs for another 1,700 people, bring the company’s total workforce to about 9000 people. It also confirms the attractiveness of Morocco’s automotive sector to European manufacturers.   “Morocco offers a competitive environment for the manufacturing of automotive components due to its proximity to.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 11th December 2014

Billionaire businessman Mahesh Chandaria’s family has acquired an undisclosed stake in Mobius Motors, the start-up auto firm that is building Africa’s cheapest car.   Chandaria Industries, makers of hygiene products that are the flagship of the Chandaria Group, made the investment through capital injection into Mobius in return for a stake in the early stages of the car maker, highlighting increased investor interest in the.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 5th December 2014

Nissan is set to open four new showrooms in major towns across the country in a Sh1.3 billion expansion plan which will also include opening of new service centres.   Crown Motors, which in August replaced DT Dobie as the Kenyan franchise holder of the Japanese vehicle brand, said it would open showrooms in Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret and Naivasha by the end of next year. The Mombasa showroom is set to open in two months, adding to the.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 4th December 2014

Hinduja Group flagship firm Ashok Leyland has announced bagging of two large integrated transport projects in Tanzania and Zimbabwe worth a total of $79.2 million.    As part of the project, the company will supply trucks, buses, light commercial vehicles, spares and allied support services, includes training and developmental consultancy, Ashok Leyland said in a statement.    Besides, the company will also address a.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 4th December 2014