Autonews Issue 2, 2017 Autonews digital magazine Edition 2 Q2- covers•• | Page 6

Mercedes-Benz to build safer buses for Kenya
6 – AUTONEWS - AA CLUB OF KENYA MAGAZINE
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Renault launches the Kadjar

Renault Kenya launched the Kadjar crossover SUV into the market , in a strategic move to broaden its offering and fend off competition from Hyundai Tucson , Honda CRV , Subaru Forester , Toyota Rav 4 and its cousin Nissan Qashqai . It comes in two states of tune , a front wheel driven 1.2 litre turbo charged petrol with automatic gearbox and a 1.6 litre turbo charged diesel with a 6-speed manual shifter driving all four wheels .
Visit www . renaultkenya . com for more details

Mercedes-Benz to build safer buses for Kenya

Daimler Buses and its regional sales partner CFAO / DT Dobie presented their first bus models built in Nairobi , Kenya . The buses are purpose built for the roads of East Africa . Kenya is one of Daimler ’ s biggest commercial vehicle markets in the African region with promising potential for the future . In the future up to 2,500 new buses will be needed in Kenya each year to meet the growing population ’ s demand for public transportation . Majority of buses currently on Kenyan roads are built on truck chassis not ideal for passengers .
The hard suspensions and high entry steps also limit passenger comfort . The new buses use a chassis from India and Brazil – countries with similar road conditions . The MB 917 Bus is ideal for commuter and short haul journeys and offers room for up to 37 passengers . The other unit , MB 1730 , is made for long distance travel and seats up to 60 persons . Ian Middleton , the Managing Director of DT Dobie , said : “ It is a matter of pride and satisfaction that the buses you see here today set new standards in safety of passengers in East Africa . They exceed the specifications laid down by local regulations and meet the safety requirements of Daimler . Details : www . media . daimler . com and www . daimler . com

Peugeot set to assembly vehicles locally

The Lion of Sochaux is back ! French giant Peugeot is set to re-enter the Kenyan market in July with the assembly of the Peugeot 508 and 3008 models in Kenya . Peugeot in partnership with local franchise Urysia will set up a Ksh 2.3 Billion assembly facility which will churn out an average of 1000 vehicles annually when production peaks . The deal was witnessed by President Uhuru Kenyatta , Peugeot executives and the cabinet secretary in charge of trade and Industrialization . The facility is expected to generate 500 jobs to skilled youth and first roll out scheduled in July .

Isuzu Japan buys out GM shares in GMEA

Japanese heavy commercial vehicle manufacturer Isuzu has bought out General Motors stake in General Motors East Africa . This makes Isuzu Japan the largest shareholder in the company and eventually GMEA will change its name to Isuzu East Africa subject to regulatory approvals by the Capital markets Authority . This
move is comes at a time when General Motors is pulling out of Africa due to prevailing economic times and restructuring process going on within the Company . Isuzu East Africa will stop selling GM products in December 2017 but will offer support and hounour all Chevrolet warranties for a period of 10 years .