Chinese vehicle manufacturer King Long has formally started the importation of its buses into the Tanzanian market through an agent Pwani Motors Limited.
“We conducted a study before bringing the vehicles so that we could produce vehicles which would be able to put up with the conditions of roads in the East African region,” said Mr Danny Fu, the company’s marketing manager for the Southern Africa region.
According to Mr Fu, the company was founded in the year 1988, mainly developing, manufacturing and selling large-and-medium-sized coaches and light vans.
“We are present in 110 countries worldwide, since the year 2000 we have been receiving various awards on the quality of our products,” he explained. The official revealed that 80 per cent of their products are sold in the Middle East with the remaining percentage being sold in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. He bragged on the other hand that, unlike other auto makers, his company offers after-sale services to customers on technical issues and availability of spare parts.
Mr Abdul Virjee, the Managing Director of Pwani Motors Limited, explained that one unit costs an average of USD 145,000.
The entry of King Long company in Tanzania brings to five the number of Chinese auto makers with presence in the local market.
