General Motors to Increase Sales in Africa

By Staff Writer

 NAIROBI- – General Motors is targeting to sell over 12,000 vehicles in the Sub-Sahara African region by the end of the year.

  Last year, the company recorded over 8,000 units in the same region and the new General Motors East Africa CEO and Sub-Saharan Exports Director Ms Rita Kavashe expects the sustained growth rate this year.

 The company is leveraging on the current public transport sector reforms being implemented in the country and in the region to grow its sales. Kavashe said the demand for high capacity PSV vehicles has risen tremendously and the company’s order book is full.

 “We have set an overall target of selling over 25,000 vehicles in the Sub-Saharan region annually by 2017. To achieve this target, the East African market will play a very vital role because it commands 35 percent of the total GM business in Africa,” she said during a media briefing at the firm’s offices in Nairobi.

 Rita said the company’s growth rate will be sustained through better service offering and introduction of new products that meet the requirements of the market.

 Due to the Tsunami that hit Japan recently, Lourencon said the company has slowed down production in the world and is working with the inventory they have which is sustainable. This will enable them to carry on with their functions without any impending setbacks. 

 The leading auto maker will continue to seek more opportunities present in the Sub-Saharan Region. Lourencon reiterated that “General Motors has a strong relationship with Isuzu because the products we have are well adapted to the region, however we would also like to grow the Chevrolet brand in the Sub Saharan Africa.”

 For now the company is not looking into partnering with other brands but will work towards meeting the demands of the market and focus on increasing its market share.

 There are also plans to focus on the left hand drive market. Last year they managed to sell 3,500 left hand drives in the Sub Sahara Africa. This year, the company is planning to increase the number of sales to 6,000 and possibly capture a greater percentage of that market too.