Car dealers unveil 10 new saloon, SUV models

What you need to know:

Simba Corporation that took over the Renault franchise from DT Dobie, has introduced two models including saloon cars and SUVs.
DT Dobie, which acquired the Volkswagen dealership from CMC Holdings, also unveiled eight new models of the German brand.
The launches signal increased competition for Toyota, which sells most of the new saloon cars and SUVs in the Kenyan market including Corolla, Landcruiser and Fortuner.

Local car dealers last week launched 10 new models of saloons and sports utility vehicles, targeting motorists who previously relied on imported brands.

Simba Caetano Formula, a subsidiary of Simba Corporation that took over the Renault franchise from DT Dobie, has introduced two models including saloon cars and SUVs.

DT Dobie, which acquired the Volkswagen dealership from CMC Holdings, also unveiled eight new models of the German brand.

Renault Fluence, a saloon, is retailing at Sh3.2 million while the SUV Koleos is priced at Sh5 million.

Renault Duster, another SUV, is retailing at between Sh2.7 million and Sh3 million depending on specifications.

“We will gradually introduce additional models to eventually offer Kenyan buyers the full range of vehicles to suit everyone’s taste and budget,” said the general manager of Simba Caetano Nashir Kassam in a statement.

DT Dobie has priced the popular SUV Volkswagen Touareg at Sh9.8 million while Amarok, a pick-up, is selling at between Sh5.2 million and Sh5.5 million.

The luxury saloon, Volkswagen CC, is priced at Sh5.7 million. DT Dobie says it will ship in even more VW models to expand its current lineup of saloons, SUVs, vans and pick-ups.

“Since the announcement of our Volkswagen distributorship in August last year, we have been making elaborate preparations for selling and servicing VWs,” Philippe Delunsch, the marketing director at DT Dobie said in a statement.

“It is a matter of pride that the VW Touareg SUVs in our showrooms were launched in Europe only two months ago.”

The launches signal increased competition for Toyota, which sells most of the new saloon cars and SUVs in the Kenyan market including Corolla, Landcruiser and Fortuner.

READ: New car sales hit record high on rising demand

Other dealers that have expanded their presence in this segment include General Motors East Africa that is using the Chevrolet brand of cars and SUVs to diversify away from the commercial vehicle business.

Increased activity in the passenger car market by the formal dealers also reflects increased spending by private companies, rich and upper middle class households that buy most of the new cars.