Hino Motors and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus are increasing their efforts to boost operations in eastern and central Africa to meet increased demand increase stemming from economic growth in the region.
Hino started assembling midsize trucks this month in Kenya where the economy has been growing at a rate of 5% a year. It has teamed with a local vehicle manufacturer to build trucks with engines, frames and other key components imported from Japan. Sales will be handled by a local Toyota dealer.
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The Toyota affiliate sees truck sales in Kenya rising by around 10% a year to reach 7,000 units by 2015. It aims to make 300 vehicles there in FY 2013 and 450 in FY 2014.
Mitsubishi Fuso has started making trucks jointly developed at Daimler’s Indian unit and will begin exports to Kenya and Zambia this year, expanding later to Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe and other eastern, central and/or southern African countries from next year.
Isuzu trucks are assembled in a joint venture with General Motors in Kenya.
