By Ebi Kesiena
Kenyans have been discouraged from importing used automobiles to help conserve the environment.
Managing Director of GB Auto Kenya, Gaurav Kaul said Kenyans should instead resort to buying locally assembled vehicles, arguing that they were brand new, more affordable and environmental friendly.
Kaul spoke during the microbus’ unveiling ceremony at Kenya Vehicles Manufacturers in Thika, Kiambu County over the weekend.
The company unveiled a 14-seater fully microbus assembled in Kenya during the event.
“This is our first ready product,” Kaul said.
According to Kaul, the invention was also intended to help mitigate effects of climate change, adding that the product was a partnership between GB Auto Kenya Ltd, King Long China and KVM.
“The vehicle comes with Euro 4 engine that is in line with the Kenyan government’s vision to have a clean environment. It’s the first Euro 4 bus which we have made as right hand drive especially for the Kenyan market.”
Kaul explained that they had been working on the project for the last 18 months stressing that the vehicle was fully assembled in Kenya.
“Together with King Long management, we have been working on this project for almost one-and-a-half years to make sure we bring the right product that is suitable for this market, assembled for this market and made by the people from the same market.
“We are witnessing its first rollout. This vehicle isn’t on the road. So, after today’s launch, we will be putting it for public display,” Kaul noted.
He said Kenya Vehicles Manufacturers team had worked hand-in-hand with engineers from King Long who have been in Kenya for close to eight weeks training them for technology transfer and upscaling to enable the former continue assembling the vehicles without the manufacturers’ assistance in the future.
“KVM, we are happy that we are producing locally assembled products which will be good for the economy in terms of job creation, technology transfer and also bringing down car prices,” he said.
Kaul said by locally assembling vehicles, they bring down vehicles’ costs thereby making them more affordable.
GB Auto Kenya Limited was established in December 2021.
However, Kaul said the unveiled vehicle was fully tropicalized and customized for Kenyan environment and terrain keeping in mind the kind of altitude in Kenya, and that also, the idea is to bring affordable mobility for an average Kenyan consumer.
