New motor plant
Feb 20th, 2012 | By MrJob N. Okemwa | Category: General Information
Chinese motor vehicle maker, Foton, is investing Sh1.6 billion in an assembling plant in Nairobi and several showrooms to be stationed in major towns in the country. The company has acquired a piece of land at Mlolongo and the plant’s ground breaking will take place soon, said Foton East Africa general manager, Mr Calvin Guo. “Some of the machinery to be used in the construction is on the high seas on its way to Mombasa,”
“The region has very high potential for new commercial vehicles, the reason we have decided to invest in the venture. We will open new showrooms in Kisumu, Meru and Thika, in addition to those in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru and Eldoret,” he added. The investment, which will see Foton produce 10,000 units of new commercial vehicles per year for sale in the region, comes at a time when the motor vehicle industry has seen stiff competition among major players, who have hinged innovation on low cost vehicles to create a niche in the market. Noting that the African terrain and the nature of roads need special products, Mr Guo said his company has invested in research and will roll out vehicle models that meet the needs of the market. “Our sales have been growing since we entered this market in 2009 ,” Mr Guo said.
Loading ...