DT Dobie takes over sale of Chinese trucks

Motor vehicle dealer DT Dobie has added Chinese pick-up trucks to its product line, taking over distributorship of the Great Wall brand from its affiliate firm.

Great Wall pick-ups will now be sold and serviced at DT Dobie through its showrooms on Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret and Kisumu. The distributor will have two-wheel single and double cabs options on offer.

“Great Wall moved to DT Dobie from our sister company CICA and will only be available at the DT Dobie showrooms,” said Usha Nagpal, general manager for Great Wall and Volkswagen.

The Chinese firm Great Wall made its entry into the Kenya market through local distributor, CICA Motors, in 2012.

DT Dobie and CICA are both subsidiaries of CFAO Group, which also owns Toyota Kenya, following a Sh274.4 billion buyout deal by the parent company.

According to Ms Nagpal the single cabin pick-up will be retailing for Sh1.89 million while the double cabin pick-up will be retailing for Sh2.35 million.

“We are looking to sell over 150 units by the end of the year,” she said.

Another Chinese brand, Jiangling Motors Co (JMC) launched a double cabin pick-up truck in the market late last year. The double cab pick-ups are sold by Stantech Motors, the franchise holders for JMC brands in Kenya.

READ: Chinese auto firm JMC launches pick-up truck

The local new commercial vehicles market in Kenya is dominated by established brands like Toyota, Isuzu, Nissan, Ford, Mitsubishi and Chevrolet.

There has been increased activity in this segment of the motor vehicle market, marked by the entry of several Chinese auto brands such as Grand Tiger pick-ups and Foton.

Another Chinese vehicle manufacturer, JAC Motors, entered into an agreement with AVIC International for the distribution of JAC vehicles in East Africa in December last year.

Sales of commercial vehicles such as pick-ups, trucks and buses accounts for 40 per cent of Kenya’s auto industry, buoyed by increased demand in sectors such public transport, haulage and agriculture.