A Ford Mustang. The Mustang is among five new Ford models that CMC will be launching starting this year. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
Ford Mustang is expected to step up competition for German car manufacturer Porsche, which reported strong sales of its sporty models since launching operations last year.
The Mustang is among five new Ford models that CMC will be launching starting this year, with the dealer racing to boost its product range in the competitive new vehicles market.
CMC Holdings is set to launch the Ford Mustang sports car in the Kenyan market early next year, targeting the growing demand for high performance cars among rich and middle class motor enthusiasts.
This will be the first time the sports car will be available in a Kenya showroom as a new vehicle.
The brand is expected to step up competition for German car manufacturer Porsche, which reported strong sales of its sporty models since launching operations last year.
“The Mustang will be available at CMC in the first quarter of 2016,” said the regional head of marketing at Ford Motor Company Mark Kaufman in Nairobi on Tuesday.
The Mustang is among five new Ford models that CMC will be launching starting this year, with the dealer racing to boost its product range in the competitive new vehicles market.
The firm, which is now private after it was acquired by Dubai-based Al-Futtaim Group, will also ship in Ford Focus, Fusion and updated versions of Ford Everest and Ranger.
They are part of the 17 new models that Ford has announced it will introduce across Africa in the near term.
Mr Kaufman did not disclose the expected price tag of the Mustang. The manufacturer’s suggested global retail price as per, which excludes local taxes, finance costs and dealer margins, is between Sh2 million and Sh3.8 million.
First produced in 1964, there are now four models of the Mustang with engines ranging from 2.3 litres to five litres.
Mustangs have been popular among young motorists who enjoy the fast speeds and motoring manoeuvres possible with the aggressive-looking car.
Rich car lovers have lately showed a great pent-up demand for high-performance cars that also give them distinction in a country that has for long preferred traditional brands like Toyota and Mercedes.
Porsche, for instance, sold 125 units last year when it had operated for just eight months starting May.
Dealers like Porsche and CMC are betting on the reputation of their relatively new brands in the Kenyan market to drive sales among professionals and entrepreneurs with significant disposable incomes.
“We are excited to have CMC as our partner and we will be expanding our business together in this region,” said Jeff Nemeth, Ford’s CEO for sub-Saharan Africa.
CMC’s chief executive Mark Kass said the dealer plans to build a standalone showroom for Ford as part of its plans to invest in the franchise that has emerged as its most valuable.
The company sold 579 units of Ford cars, pick-ups, and SUVs last year, helping it to earn a 7.5 per cent market share according to data from the Kenya Motor Industry Association.
Besides Ford, CMC has also introduced new models under its various franchises to compensate for the loss of other distributorship contracts including that of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Volkswagen.
Mr Kass said CMC is set to launch Mazda pick-ups for the first time in the country. The firm will also unveil SUVs under the Suzuki franchise.
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