When Simba Corporation took over Renault vehicles franchise from DT Dobie mid last year, many tongues were left wagging over what to expect from the French carmaker which had exited the market following a spate of poor sales. Seven months later the company has announced its re-entry to the Kenyan market with three new car models and more variants expected in the next twelve months.
Speaking during the announcement of joint venture with Portuguese-based car group Salvador Caetano, Simba Caetano Formula GM Nashir Kassam noted that the growing middle-class in the country and demand for quality cars is driving the market to a certain level and there is need to stay afloat as car dealers. “Our partnership is aimed at bringing Renault back to the country after its absence in the last decade,” he said displaying the three new models that the France-carmaker is launching in the market. “The demand for quality, reliable and innovative cars is on the rise in the Kenyan market and we are banking on our excellence in after-sales to tame the Kenyan market.”
Renault Duster, Fluence and Koleos are now available in the Kenyan market. After Nairobi, the company will be opening its showroom in Mombasa, Kisumu and Kisii in a bid to capture the Kenyan market. Africa Salvador Caetano’s chief operating officer Andre Pinheiro lauded the collaboration terming it a ‘strategic move to enable Renault become an automobile contributor in the region’s car industry.’
Renault’s exit from the Kenyan market was due to poor after-sales-services and unavailability of spare parts that drove off customers. However, the company has invested heavily in their after-sales-service and a wide range of spare parts. “We have a fully-equipped spare parts store and a technical team always on ground to help our customers,” noted Jonathan Dos Santos from Simba Caetano Formula.
Salvador Caetano has been in a partnership with Renault to distribute the automobiles in Africa. Their close relationship with Simba Corporation, a local car distributor, made it easier for Renault to make a comeback to the Kenyan market. The company is also initiating operations in Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi.
The Renault cars come with a three-year-warranty to help restore customer’s confidence.
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