African Automotive Adaptation
Adaptation and innovation in the manufacturing sphere
East Africa is home to a substantial percentage of the continent’s shipping, logistics, and supply chain sectors.
Amid the sectors, despite the turmoil in the wake of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, East African automotive manufacturing stands as one industry that is both competitive and promising.
“There is a lot of opportunity in
East African countries. Although recently impacted by COVID-19, these countries have high levels of GDP growth, and have young, growing populations,” begins Tim Jaques, CEO of Motus Africa.
“There is a strong desire by people to develop and progress in this region which makes investing and working in these countries very rewarding.”
Within the region, the automotive market has established itself as a dynamic and competitive sector and has undergone various changes throughout recent years.
“Dealerships have been subjected to fluctuating market cycles. Each market has its own specific dynamics, but there is a general upturn expected over the next few years in the new car market.”
Jaques started in the automotive industry over 22 years ago. His career path has seen him hold various positions in multiple different automotive companies, and he has overseen sub-Saharan African and Indian Ocean regions for the majority of this time. Within Motus Holdings (Motus) he has held the position of Motus Africa CEO since 2014.
Motus Africa a division within the South African listed Motus Holdings, operates as the parent company of multiple East African distributors and dealerships, with presences in Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, and Zambia.
Motus Africa’s network of owned and independent dealerships has a vast geographical reach operating in each of these countries.
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“We sell motor vehicles as well as provide after sales services and spare parts. We currently represent leading vehicle brands such as Nissan and Mitsubishi, and tyre brand Michelin in selected markets,” Jaques tells us.
“We have customers across all market sectors and given the robust and reliable nature of the products and quality services that we sell, are able to assist our customer base over a vast geographical region.”
FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY
Motus exists within an ever fluctuating and competitive market. The organisation strives to stay above this competition by adapting to the varying needs of its customer base, and by maintaining its customercentric approach.
“Motus Africa is a process driven, yet adaptable and flexible organisation that strives for excellence,” Jaques affirms.
“We have been market leaders in
East Africa in customer service and in addition to various innovations, were the first Group to offer two year, 50,000 kilometres free service plans across the entire vehicle range in all of our East African markets.”
Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequential effects across various industries has not left the East African automotive manufacturing unscathed. However, this period has allowed Motus Africa to show its ability as an enabler in the industry with regards to responsibility, safety, and workplace adaptation.
Since the inception of the pandemic period, Motus Africa has fully supported the governments of the countries in which it operates. It had reduced all non-essential operations in line with governmentimposed restrictions and guidelines, and limited unnecessary contact through the shift to digital working for those who were practically able.