Simba Corporation, a trusted name in Kenya’s automotive manufacturing and sales industry has unveiled the new Ashok Leyland ECOMET Truck model with an aim to position the product in the lucrative light duty trucks segment.
The unveiling that coincided with the opening of a new dealership in Thika Town, Swanley Motors, now enhances the company’s efforts in gaining market share by positioning the 7 tonne truck, in the competitive 7 to 10 tonne trucks category that in 2023 registered total sales of 1,378 units.
According to Naresh Leekha, the Group MD, Motors Division, at Simba Corporation, the twin launches are a significant drive for the company as it targets growth in the Mount Kenya, Eastern and Rift Valley regions.
“The launch of Ashok Leyland Ecomet model in Kenya, fulfils a gap in our product range and strategically positions Simba Corporation as a comprehensive transport solutions provider to meet the diverse needs of the Kenyan customer. Competitively priced at Kes 4.5M, the ECOMET is a versatile solution that can easily convert into a 29 or 33 seater bus, which gives us an opportunity to tap into the larger public and mass transport segments of the market,” said Leekha.
By offering this versatility, Simba Corporation through its subsidiary Deluxe Trucks and Buses now aims to capture a wider market share while providing customer solutions beyond the traditional trucking needs such as hardware, mattresses, water tank and other logistics segments.
According to Mohamed Varvany, the Chief Commercial Officer, Simba Corporation will extend financing offers among other incentives for the ECOMET Truck including an after sales assurance of 5 years warranty or 500,000 km whichever comes first.
“Most businesses budget and make plans for purchase investments at the beginning of the year. For us this is an opportune time to announce our dealership arrangement with Swanley Motors and start building relationships with new truck customers. With the current state of the economy, customers want a truck that is well priced and which they can easily present to their financing partners for support without the fear or concerns of failure to perform”, said Mr. Varvany.
Targeting key business segments such as corporate and public service transport, agribusiness and processing, construction and education transport sectors, Varvany added that the new Thika dealership offering sales, spares, and vehicle servicing will also position other Simba Corporation brands in the region, including the Mahindra Scorpio Pick-ups which come with a 5 year warranty or 150,000 km after sales assurance.
(TOP: From L-R – Purujit Kishore, Ashok Leyland Kenya Country Manager; with Dr. Paul Rwambo, Director, Swanley Motors; Mohamed Varvany, the Chief Commercial Officer; with Naresh Leekha, the Group MD, Motors Division, both from Simba Corporation, as they unveiled the ECOMET Light duty truck in the Kenyan market at Swanley Motors in Thika. Swanley Motors has been appointed Simba Corporation dealers in Murang’a County with the 3S status, offering Sales, Spares, and Service in the largely agricultural region).
Simba Corporation Ltd is a dynamic and innovative conglomerate with a strong presence in the automotive, hospitality, and agricultural sectors in Kenya. With a legacy spanning decades, Simba Corporation is committed to delivering quality products and services, contributing to the economic development of the region.
Deluxe Trucks & Buses East Africa was appointed in 2021 as the sole authorized distributor of the full range of the Ashok Leyland brand of trucks and buses which are locally assembled at the Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA) plant in Mombasa, Kenya. It is fully owned by Simba Corporation, which has been in the motor industry in Kenya for the last 54 years. Ashok Leyland is the flagship of the Hinduja group. It is the 2nd largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in India, the fourth largest manufacturer of buses in the world.
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