Nairobi — Simba Corp has launched the sale of its locally assembled Proton Saga saloon car.
The firm’s Group CEO, Dinesh Kotecha said, “We look forward to having the Proton Saga and indeed the Proton brand take the Kenyan market by storm because we believe that this is a solution that our customers have been waiting for and we have finally delivered.”
The Proton Saga is locally assembled at the Associated Vehicle Assemblers plant in Mombasa and comes with a 5 year, 150,000KM warranty.
Kotecha said the firm has signed several banks to make it easier for their customers to own this zero-mileage, high-value car.
The vehicle also comes with a 4-star NCAP safety rating and will have over 50 service locations nationwide.
Simba Corporation Executive Chairman, Adil Popat said, “When Kenyans demanded an affordable vehicle, we thought it was a tall order. Simba Corp took the challenge and delivered.”
“The launch of the Proton Saga demonstrates how a positive partnership between the government, private sector, and all industry stakeholders can deliver solutions whose impact will be felt by consumers at all levels of the Kenyan economy.”
In his address, the Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development, Lawrence Karanja, said the government celebrates the growth and development in the manufacturing sector in Kenya in a bid to achieve Vision 2030.
“The government’s mission is to make Kenya a regional hub for automotive assembly and manufacture. As a government, we are supporting the industry by being committed to buying locally assembled vehicles because we believe in Buy Kenya and Build Kenya as this creates employment, skills development and transfer for our youth, research and development as well as promoting environmental protection.”
Kenya Auto Bazaar Association Chairman, Major John Kipchumba said, “We do not import because we love used cars, we do it due to the demand. We are looking for affordable vehicles that are fuel-efficient and new, with zero mileage, and the Proton Saga has come to address this.”
In his closing address, Simba Corporation Motor Division Managing Director, Naresh Leekha, said, “we have the utmost confidence that Proton will transform the automotive market and the lives of our consumers. The 5-year warranty, attractive financing options, safety features, aftersales network, all, for a brand new zero-mileage car that is assembled locally is an unbeatable deal. The future is indeed bright.”
Proton joins the growing list of globally renowned automotive brands that have chosen Kenya as their home and are being assembled by AVA in Mombasa. During the Mombasa launch held in December 2020, President Kenyatta said the country is now at the cusp of offering Kenyans the opportunity to own zero-mileage vehicles that are affordable, well-engineered and can attract financing.
It offers good value for money, compared to what has previously been available to Kenyan consumers. Kenyans can purchase a brand new, safe vehicle for the same price that is usually spent to purchase a secondhand vehicle and in addition, it stimulates economic growth by creating jobs for Kenya’s youth.
The vehicle is assembled at Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA) in Mombasa which is also fully owned by Simba Corporation.
