Motor Vehicle Manufacturer General Motors East Africa’s (GMEA) market share increased to 20.1 per cent in 2009 despite the ravages of the global financial crisis.
GM East Africa Managing Director William Lay said the company expected more growth in sales volumes this year especially in the area of public transport.
“We will be launching our new 33 and 37 seater Isuzu buses in the middle of this year. These vehicles are in line with the Public Service Transport reforms which are currently underway in Kenya and also a demand from customers for higher occupancy vehicles,” said Mr. Lay.
This announcement came even as the parent company (GM) expressed optimism on its growth prospects on the African continent.
Apart from retailing complete Chevrolet, Opel and Hummer brands including parts, GMEA assembles Isuzu commercial vehicles and buses at its plant.
While Africa also suffered the effects of the global recession last year, GM Africa president Edgar Louencon, said the market should bottom out by the third quarter of 2010. He said sales are showing improvement in markets like South Africa where the downturn started sooner than the rest of Africa. “We are confident that the market will not deteriorate any further,” he said.
In 2009 GM sold 151 578 vehicles in Africa and although more than half of these sales are attributed to Egypt and South Africa, GM’s regional marketing office (GM RMO), that covers sales in west and north Africa, excluding Egypt and GM East-Africa (GMEA) are important growing markets said Lourencon.
Meanwhile, GM South Africa (GMSA) is forecasting that new vehicle sales in 2010 will be marginally higher than last year. “We foresee a gradual improvement in sales and project that the 2010 market will grow between 5-7% this year,” Lourencon said.
GM RMO on the other hand sold just under 40 000 vehicles last year. “While the overall volume is down versus 2008, our market share has improved from 12.1% in 2008 to 12.5%,” said Lourencon.
Since the Chevrolet brand was introduced in the GM RMO region in 2003, market share has grown from 1% to 12.5% at the end of 2009 said Lourencon. GM will be launching 14 new products in the RMO between 2010 and 2012.
The key growth markets in the RMO are Algeria, Morocco and Libya. “We currently have a 50% share of the market in Libya and will therefore continue to build momentum in these emerging markets,” Lourencon added.
Chevrolet in particular is a key brand for General Motors in Africa and will play an increasingly dominant role in future as the Chevrolet product offering broadens. Lourencon said the recently launched Chevrolet Cruze, with its global styling, already proves to be a success in African markets. He said the classy sedan was nominated for car of the year in South Africa. “We are now eagerly anticipating the launch of the all-new trendy Chevrolet Spark which is bound to make its mark in the mini-car vehicle segment,” said Lourencon.
"Overall 2009 was a difficult year for vehicle sales across the continent but we are pleased that even though trading conditions were tough, GM Africa was able to maintain its market share. This year we will be looking to strengthen both our sales volumes and market share position in most of the markets in which we operate in Africa." He said.
Ends…
About General Motors: General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 209,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.
General Motors East Africa (GMEA) Managing Director William (Bill) Lay has been appointed President of the local chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce.
This follows a meeting by the American Chamber of Commerce Kenya (ACCK) board of directors that unanimously settled on Mr. Lay to replace Dr. Nelson Githinji, who was recently appointed by President Mwai Kibaki as the State House Comptroller.
Lay will serve for a period of two years at the helm of the American body that among other things fronts the interests of American business community.
Bill Lay who is currently the CEO and Chairman of GMEA has overseen the automaker and assembler register magnificent growth making it the largest motor assembler in the East African region.
Dr. Githinji headed the ACCK from April 2008, contributing immensely to the growth of the Organisation.
Lay said his priority as president of ACCK would be to push for reforms that would create an ample business and investment environment for the economic development of the country. He said this would be done through the recently launched Parliamentary Reform Caucus (PRC).
The PRC was mooted to initiate an open dialogue between business leaders and MPs regarding how to encourage activities that promote the economic development of Kenya and the achievement of key reforms.
Issues under discussion include how to improve the business environment to encourage development and investments in Kenya. The business leaders and MPs agreed that constitutional reform and good governance are critical if Kenya is to grow as an international business destination.
Other issues that featured prominently were land reforms, the equitable distribution of resources, and the passage of key pro-investment legislation such as the Anti-Money Laundering bill.
Other appointments made saw Ms. Joyce-Ann Wainaina, Director, Global Transactions Services East Africa - CITI elected the Vice President and Benjamin Musau, Senior Partner at B M Musau & Co., Advocates elected Secretary.
Mr. Deo Onyango, Commercial Development Manager, GE Corporate will head the Finance and Administration committee, Louis Otieno, Managing Director, Microsoft East Africa Ltd will chair the Audit committees. AON Minet Managing Director Joe Onsando will chair the Advocacy committee and Stavros Spyropoulos, Regional Manager East & Southern Africa, EATON Electric and Rick Davies, Director ACCK, will chair the Membership Development and Social committees respectively.
General Motors East Africa (GMEA) has donated motor vehicle equipment worth over Sh2 million to a Polytechnic under an arrangement aimed at boosting practical learning with the Ministry of Youth Affairs.
The used vehicle spare parts were donated to Iten Polytechnic to aid engineering training as part of GMEA’s support program for local institutions of learning.
Iten Polytechnic is one of the colleges attached to the Ministry of Youth Affairs under an arrangement by the government and private sector to equip youths with practical skills and tame rampant unemployment.
GMEA also offers attachment opportunities to mechanical students churned out by these institutions.
While handing over the equipment at the GMEA headquarters in Nairobi, Managing Director Mr Bill Lay said the company would continue to invest in youth training skills to create a pool of specialists to meet the changing needs of the motor vehicle industry.
Lay further indicated that the process was a formalisation of the joint venture between General Motors East Africa and the government in what will see the company send technical trainers to equip trainers with modern mechanical techniques.
“General Motors will send technical trainers as has been done previously to train the trainers on modern mechanical techniques. We will also continue to support the youth by giving them industrial attachments and I would be happy if their programmes would be more involving in identifying means and sectors of support” he said.
The items donated during the event included; carburettor, an engine block, oil filter housing, a crankshaft, an Isuzu engine which is quite rare as it lasts for almost 25 years were presented at a ceremony attended by among others, Mr Nahum Okwiya of Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the Youth Sector Board Chair as well as other officials from the Ministries of Education and Youth Affairs.
Mr Mwose Nzwili, the Youth Desk Director at the Ministry of Education said the initiative will enhance skill development among our youth in line with the Kenya Vision 2030.
On his part, Dr. D C, Mwinzi, the Director of Youth Training in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports lauded the General Motors for its continued support of technical training across the country through industrial attachments and provision of technical training among other forms of support.
She noted that the support was timely since it coincided with the recent introduction of a new curriculum by the government to address challenges affecting the over 750 polytechnics countrywide. She said the donation would go along way in increasing modern training in polytechnics.
Mr Lay urged government departments to emulate the initiative and donate old unused vehicles to the polytechnics. He pointed out that out of 2,000 scrap vehicles, polytechnics could possibly come up with 200 usable vehicles. He also mentioned that the government could use the youth to fix and come up with an environmentally-friendly vehicle.
END
General Motors East Africa (GMEA) has launched the new range of Isuzu D-Max Pick-up trucks in the Kenyan market.
The vehicles, officially launched by the GMEA Managing Director, Mr. William Lay at Nairobi Club include the Single Cab Isuzu DMAX TFR 32, TFR 54 and TFS 54 and the 4x4 double-cabin TFS 85.
Mr. Lay said the pick-ups have helped GMEA increase its market share, with one third of the total pick-up sales in the Kenyan market being Isuzu.
“While we have retained the proven engine of the 4X2 work-horse, we have introduced leading edge common rail technology in the 4X4 variants, giving high fuel economy, a smooth ride and reduced emissions” said Lay.
The Isuzu DMAX remains the only pick-up still assembled in Kenya, promoting employment and technology transfer. The Dmax inherits a tradition of unrivalled durability that was earned by its forebears, from the Chev Luv in the seventies to the Tougher in the nineties
They have a sleek design with rugged features that include a dependable suspension.
The single cab TFR 32 and TFR 54 are sold with a one year free comprehensive insurance, in addition to a free bedliner, while the DMAX TFS 85 4x4 double cabin is built to handle tough jobs, both on and off the road and can be used from a luxury to high end utility vehicle.
Lay said the company will continue to promote small and micro enterprises (SMEs) by outsourcing body building from these companies, through its “Buy Kenya Build Kenya” motto.
Ends
General Motors East Africa (GMEA) will increase its regional sales volumes by 50 per cent with the full implementation of the East African Community (EAC) Customs Union.
However, lack of commitment from individual countries to honour the requirements of the EAC Common External Tariff (CET) might derail this realization.
Managing Director Mr. Bill Lay says existing non tariff barriers are seriously impeding regional imports and therefore the urgent need to fully implement the customs union if EAC economies are to realize their full potential.
“Regional exports are currently impeded due to the existing trading arrangement where various countries still insist on unnecessary barriers in the way of trade. The full implementation of the customs union will put an end to this,” said Lay.
Currently, the car maker holds a 20.1 per cent market share in the east African region, a figure that has been steadily growing over the years with Uganda cited as the fastest growing market.
Bill said the current regional trading regime had seen various countries put in place hostile rules of origin restrictions that had particularly stood in the way of duty free circulation of locally manufactured motor vehicles.
Even in the initial stages of the EAC customs union implementations, most member countries have violated the common external tariff rules.
In the current financial year for instance, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda have gone against the CET requirement of 25 per cent import duty for trucks ranging between 5 to 20 tonnes and instead requested for a CET rate of 10 per cent which has been approved. For trucks exceeding 20 tonnes, the same countries have requested and gotten approval of 0 per cent CET instead of the customs union accepted 25 per cent.
“Unless the member countries strictly adhere to the requirements of the CET, the anticipated common market could take long to materialize,” he said.
Bill said these violations to the EAC customs Union and CET had seen an influx of used vehicles in the region most of which did not meet import requirements and cause unwarranted harm to the environment through dangerous emissions.
“All these violations to the CET relating to motor vehicles are intended to promote importation of used vehicles instead of buying locally assembled vehicles,” said Lay.
Consequently, GMEA is calling for a regional policy on the harmonization of motor vehicle standards relating to safety, health and emissions. This include harmonization of regulations governing motor assembly in all EAC partner specifying what constitutes completely knocked down kits and common customs procedures.
“The same should also apply to age limit for used vehicles imported into the region,” said Lay.
Ends.
General Motors East Africa (GMEA) has today unveiled a waste water treatment plant to conserve its surrounding environment.
The Sh70 million plant will treat effluent from GMEA operations to meet EMCA (Water quality) regulations discharge limits for discharge into the environment and meet GM corporate environmental performance criteria requirement.
GMEA Managing Director Bill Lay said waste water treatment plant covering an area of 56m*25m took some twenty-eight months from design to completion.
“GMEA is a company keen on protecting the environment we operate in. this project we are unveiling today will ensure that effluent from our operations is safe for the environment and can be reused elsewhere,” said Lay.
US Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger who officiated the launch of the plant called on companies to adopt environment friendly production.
“We are living at time when our environment is fast diminishing due to dangerous emissions from production plants. This is why we are calling on companies to adopt greener production methods if we are to conserve the environment,” said Ranneberger.
GMEA receives water for its operations from the Nairobi City Council and boreholes within the company.
The project will also see planting of tree at the GMEA offices and plant trees to offset the impact of carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles and other operations. This is part of beautification of the firm and a guard against noise and dust emanating from external sources.
GMEA currently has a good relationship with regulatory bodies among them the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) among others. GM has in the past been invited to participate in seminars organised by NEMA in the drafting of regulations this includes the waste and water quality regulations of 2006, Noise and vibrations regulation, Air quality standards in 2008 and Waste tire management guidelines etc.
“GM has strived to comply with all regulatory requirements through its Environmental management system under the ISO 14001:2004. The company was certified in 2002 and has maintained the system to date,” said Lay.
In launching the waste water management plant, GMEA has collaborated with the Kenya National Cleaner production centre(KNCPC) for the Development of design concepts, Spenomatic (K) Ltd for design and construction of the treatment plant and GS(K) Ltd for Sampling and analysis of effluents.
Ends.
General Motors East Africa (GMEA) has today unveiled an Express Service Centre that will drastically reduce the turn-around time in servicing of vehicles.
The facility will offer a ‘while-u-wait’ service where customers will not necessarily have to leave their vehicles in the garage for several hours to get the service done.
Managing Director, Mr. William Lay said the company was keen on shortening the time taken in fixing repairs for the convenience of its customers.
“GMEA recognizes the need for speed, convenience and quality. The launch of this service centre today and the investment pumped into this facility is a direct response to our customers’ increasing demand for our products and services,” said Lay.
The company has hired more staff and expanded the existing workshop to ensure that customers get quality service at the shortest time possible.
“In keeping with our commitment to excellence, we will continue churning into the market vehicles that have been assembled with the Kenyan road conditions in mind,” said Lay.
The new service centre will see the turn around time for repairs reduced to an average of one and a half hours while customers will have the option of relaxing at the company’s ultra modern lounge as their vehicles are being attended to. At these lounges, customers will be treated to refreshments, reading material and entertainment facilities.
“This is particularly an exciting concept for heavy commercial vehicle owners who will now have their trucks and buses serviced in the shortest time possible,” said Mr. Lay.
The service will cover both light and heavy commercial vehicles as well as passenger saloon cars.
The express facility will also be manned by a dedicated service consultant with a direct phone line to facilitate advance booking.
The facility is in line with GMEA’s drive to be at the leading edge of customer satisfaction in the wake of increased demand for the company’s products and services.
Ends
(Left to Right) Masahiro Omura, the Chief of Mission of Japan, William Lay, Managing Director of General Motors East Africa and His Excellency George Kayonga, Ambassador of Republic of Rwanda to Kenya are all smiles during the flag-off of 64 Isuzu buses to Rwanda. The buses have been purchased from GMEA by the Japan Government to assist the Rwanda Government uplift the transportation system in the country
NAIROBI, Kenya – July 12, - In what is the largest export deal in two years, General Motors East Africa has today announced the supply of 64 assorted, locally assembled Isuzu buses to the government of Rwanda.
The buses were procured from General Motors East Africa (GMEA) through Itochu Corporation Japan, as a gift to the Government of Rwanda by the government of Japan - a funding of about 937 Million Japanese Yen (US$.9 Million). The buses are for the rehabilitation of Public Transport in Rwanda.
“General Motors East Africa is honoured to supply the Isuzu buses to the government of Rwanda”, Said Mr. William Lay, Managing Director, General Motors East Africa, “We believe the quality of the fleet will prove invaluable in helping the Government of Rwanda in the rehabilitation of public transport to meet the required efficiencies in the country’s transportation system”
The delivery includes three different types of Isuzu buses, including; 62-seater MV123 passenger buses; 45-seater MV123 passenger/cargo buses; 29-seater NPR passenger buses.
“The buses flagging off today will go a long way in driving the success of Rwanda’s transport modernisation program that is aimed at supporting the country’s rapidly expanding public transport requirements”, Said Mr. Tomoyuki Yamamoto, Embassy of Japan in Kenya.
The buses will be officially handed over to the government of Rwanda on the 21st of July, 2006 in the presence of the President of JICA, Ms Sadako Ogata. The ceremony will be held at the premises of Rwanda National Transport Company (ONATRACOM).
', '15.jpg'); rowLine++; newsSpecification[rowLine] = new newItem('2', '21-Jun-2006', 'CELTEL KENYA TAKES DELIVERY OF 88 ISUZU PICKUPS FROM RYCE LEASING', '
Caption: (left to Right) Sameer Merali, Chairman of Ryce East Africa and William Lay, CEO of General Motors East Africa both introduce Gerhard May, CEO of Celtel Kenya to one of the 88 new Isuzu DMAX pickups that Celtel will be leasing from Ryce Leasing company for a period of three years.
NAIROBI, KENYA - JUNE 21, 2006 – Ryce Leasing, a new corporate fleet management company, has today announced the delivery of 88 Isuzu D-Max pickups to Celtel Kenya Ltd in a three-year leasing agreement.
In accordance with the terms of the agreement Ryce Leasing will procure the vehicles on behalf Celtel Kenya Limited. Ryce Leasing also undertakes to manage vehicles on behalf of Celtel Kenya Ltd over the stated period at a cost of Kshs 70,000 per vehicle per month.
Ryce Leasing is a division of Ryce East Africa which recently went through a name change from Ryce Motors - a move aimed at paving the way for its business expansion to Uganda and Tanzania. Ryce East Africa also launched Ryce Leasing to drive the company’s new focus on corporate fleet management throughout the region.
“This new arrangement definitely provides Celtel Kenya Ltd with a more efficient and cost effective alternative to running and managing their fleet”, Said Mr. Sameer Merali, Chairman, Ryce Leasing, “Celtel Kenya Ltd can thereby redirect the otherwise huge capital outlay to its core business over the lease period”
This agreement is part of the Celtel Kenya Ltd fleet modernisation program aimed at supporting the company’s rapidly expanding network coverage by providing the required resources for efficient transportation for technical and customer care teams.
Said Gerhard May, CEO Celtel Kenya Ltd, “We believe that the partnership with Ryce Leasing will give us the ability to continuously drive operational excellence for Celtel customers throughout the country”
General Motors East Africa won the tender to supply its locally built Isuzu D-Max pickups to Ryce Leasing.
“I would like to thank Ryce Leasing for choosing to invest in the Isuzu brand locally built here by Kenyans,” Said Mr. William Lay, Managing Director, General Motors East Africa. “General Motors is committed to investing in Kenya. Anybody who buys our vehicles allows more Kenyans to have a secure job, while supporting Kenya’s economy through the ‘Buy Kenya build Kenya’ initiatives”, he added.
General Motors East Africa has an existing franchise agreement with Ryce East Africa for operations in Nairobi and Mombasa.
Caption: (left to Right) Dickson Mbugua, Chairman Matatu Welfare Association, William Lay, CEO of General Motors East Africa and Garrison Ikiara Permanent secretary ministry of transport during the launch of Matatu news magazine which will be distributed to all Public Service Vehicle operators in Kenya addressing issues affecting PSV operators(ions).
General Motors East Africa has praised the Matatu Welfare Association efforts in creating a centre for information and communication for the stakeholders of the industry across the board. William Lay, General Motors Managing Director, singled out the increased concern from matatu owners in the management of their fleets and improved standards both in terms of safety and licensing.
“Matatu owners and their employees are increasingly taking an active role in the management of their PSVs. It is good to note that safety measures in our PSVs have greatly improved. More matatu owners are making sure that their vehicles are properly insured as well as regularly and properly serviced.” remarked Lay.
Lay was addressing members during the launch of the Matatu Welfare Association magazine – Matatu News, at the Grand regency Hotel.
Lay cited an increase in PSVs coming in for service at the General Motors service centre. “More PSVs are coming in for service more often than before and this is commendable. Our challenge as General Motors is to offer the best service in terms of maintenance and provision of safe and affordable PSV vehicles” Lay observed.
Commenting on the government’s move towards developing an integrated national transport policy framework, Lay said that the frame work should include the creation of institutions and necessary legal and regulatory framework for an integrated and enhanced system that encompasses all modes of transport as well as provide linkages with other sectors of the economy.
According to Lay, matatu owners should desist from giving unrealistic targets to their employees – drivers and conductors at the expense of passenger and road safety practices. He said that this encourages the drivers to drive carelessly, manhandle the vehicles thus reducing its lifespan and ignoring signs that the vehicle is due for service.
“The launch of the Matatu News Magazine is a good step in the right direction. Let it be a tool that will bring all the stake holders together with the objective of making the industry more professional with better business ethics as well as provide and exchange vital information for growth. General motors will continue supporting the association by providing its members with good quality Public Service vehicles at affordable prices,” concluded Lay.
', ''); rowLine++;