General Motors, Africa Motors ink deal

[Ming]

General Motors, Africa Motors ink deal

16th July, 2007
New Vision Online

GENERAL Motors East Africa has entered into partnership with Africa Motors and Machinery (AFM) to sell the former’s vehicles in Uganda, writes Ibrahim Kasita.

General Motors’ managing director Bill Lay said the deal is designed to make car ownership enjoyable. Lay said the partnership was the only way to ensure General Motors’ global leadership and growth projections were met.

He said General Motors recognises the East African Community as one of the major emerging markets in the world.

Maggie Kigozi, the Uganda Investment Authority executive director, said the partnership was a sign of confidence in the stability and growth of the Ugandan economy.

Source: http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/220/576363

[nascarnate326]

Cool, just dont give them better vehicals than we get please.

[jkennedy293]

I can see Cadillac doing well in Africa

[nadepalma]

Good news. I wonder if GM will use some of their products from GM-South Africa in this market as well?

Anyone have info on Africa Motors? Are they just a distribution outfit like Delta Motors was in South Africa?

[IROCNROL1]

Originally Posted by jkennedy293

I can see Cadillac doing well in Africa

Careful there, some jokes are not PC approved.

[mbukukanyau]

Africa Motors must be an outfit that distributes vehicles, its probably a wholy private concern.
GM has a long history of manufacturing Vehicles in Kenya. going back almost 40 Years. They own 51% of a plant on Mombasa Road and the Kenyan government own 49% or vise versa.
They even brand their own vehicles, The primarily sell Isuzu, pick ups, trucks and Buses but, I think a switch to Chevy is coming. Their is now an influx of Korean Chevy cars in East Africa,, being sold by GM, and have previoulsy sold Opel Astra's.
Unlike Toyota other Europeans, GM has always been pro active in Africa, provinding capital and helping build local manufacturing and supplier capabilities.

[uvaeeman]

Originally Posted by jkennedy293

I can see Cadillac doing well in Africa

"Oh, no. No wait, you're kidding. He didn't just say what I think he did, did he?" -Eminem

[vxl]

An article found in Google dated September 2005 has the headline "GENERAL MOTORS AND Mantrac has formed a joint venture and created a new firm, Africa Motor and Machinery to assemble Isuzu, Opel and Chevrolet vehicles "

So it looks as if Africa Motors is already part GM.

[HEVguy]

That is good. Africa needs all the help it can get to advance from a struggling state to a healthier state, and I'm glad GM is participating in it. I am sure the vehicles they'll sell there are the less expensive ones (i.e. bare-bones features, just for basic transportation needs) that the economy can absorb the cost of.

[rueben44]

Originally Posted by jkennedy293

I can see Cadillac doing well in Africa

I thought I was the only one who caught it but all things being considered it did not seem to be harmful and I am Black American. Many don't know that Cadillac was the first luxury mark to extend credit to blacks and so that is why the company has held such a foot hold. Many loved them and the tradition kept going. Many say my uncle had one when I was growing up and I really looked up to him so I always wanted one. I do not see this translating the same way over to Africa however. Different set of circumstances.

[princecharmless]

Originally Posted by IROCNROL1

Careful there, some jokes are not PC approved.

by PC u mean PrinceCharmless?

[asim]

Interesting...it looks like GM wants to expand in an area where cars probably isn't that big of a market. But what I bet is that this area will expand VERY VERY soon and relatively fast too. GM is just trying to get a jump start on this.

[t-rex]

GM's been assembling cars in Kenya for quite a while.

I remember seeing ads for the "GM Uhura" (Isuzu Aska).

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Originally Posted by rueben44

I thought I was the only one who caught it but all things being considered it did not seem to be harmful and I am Black American. Many don't know that Cadillac was the first luxury mark to extend credit to blacks and so that is why the company has held such a foot hold. Many loved them and the tradition kept going. Many say my uncle had one when I was growing up and I really looked up to him so I always wanted one. I do not see this translating the same way over to Africa however. Different set of circumstances.

Yep, Africa is Mercedes-Benz territory. A lot of people have this image of Africa being a bunch of people living in the desert in huts and having no water like on all the "give aid" commercials. But it isn't that clear, there are LOTS of millionaires in the continent... the problem is the middle class is very small.

[smith7629]

Originally Posted by rueben44

I thought I was the only one who caught it but all things being considered it did not seem to be harmful and I am Black American. Many don't know that Cadillac was the first luxury mark to extend credit to blacks and so that is why the company has held such a foot hold. Many loved them and the tradition kept going. Many say my uncle had one when I was growing up and I really looked up to him so I always wanted one. I do not see this translating the same way over to Africa however. Different set of circumstances.

Maybe we're so paranoid about appearing or sounding racist that we forgot the literal meaning of his point. With a small middle class that leaves most of the market to upper class. I love my Cadillac and could see the upper class in African markets buying the marque. Cadillacs are automobile legends after all, they're in songs from the past, like Johnny Cash and Elvis and are sang about today as well in modern music styles. Whatever race you are, if you're driving a Cadillac, you're cool in my book.