Global automotive distributor Inchcape is the new Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) distributor after RMA Motors’ exit from the Kenyan market. RMA Motors Kenya was appointed JLR’s distributor in 2013 and is now shifting its focus on establishing other retail businesses in South East Asia.
Sanjiv Shah, the former CEO of RMA Motors Kenya, is now the chief executive of Inchcape Kenya and Uganda. Shah will continue to lead the Kenyan team which has benefitted from expansive training in JLR’s processes and systems under the former distributor.
Inchcape’s Takeover
According JLR’s managing director in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa Richard Gouverneur, Inchcape was the obvious candidate for the job because of its vast experience.
“Jaguar Land Rover is greatly looking forward to its new partnership with Inchcape in the Kenyan market. The group brings with it a wealth of automotive experience, not only in the premium segment but also with the Jaguar and Land Rover brands in particular. Our customers in the region can rest assured knowing the outstanding support they have come to expect will continue uninterrupted by the transition,” he said adding that Inchcape will continue to invest and to train the Kenyan team.
Inchcape has 93 years experience in the automotive sector with operations in 31 countries across five markets. Furthermore, the London-based distributor represents the Jaguar and Land Rover brands in 12 markets including Kenya. In 2017, Inchcape made sales worth 8.9 billion Euros (Sh1.1 trillion). The company has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1958.
The appointment of Inchcape was as the result of a tender process after RMA Motors distribution agreement with JLR came to an end. RMA Motors Kenya took over from CMC Holdings in 2013.
“We are delighted to have secured this contract to be [the] brand custodian for Jaguar and Land Rover in the dynamic and exciting market of Kenya,” Inchcape’s emerging markets chief executive Ruslan Kinebas stated.
“We believe that our success demonstrates the value we bring to Jaguar Land Rover as its trusted partner for the full range of distribution and retail requirements in their end markets. It also creates a very attractive platform for Inchcape to grow further on the continent of Africa. Our focus now is on exceeding Jaguar Land Rover’s expectations and on creating a fantastic experience for Jaguar and Land Rover customers in Kenya.”
Jaguar Land Rover’s Market in Kenya
Speaking at the official takeover today held at the RMA showroom, Gouverneur said the Kenyan market for the Jaguar and Land Rover brands has been reliable and strong through the years. “This market is important to us and it is critical to show continuity,” he added.
JLR has also built a loyal customer base in the country with Kenyans embracing models such as the Defender according to the operations director for JLR in Sub-Saharan Africa Nigel Clarke. The two JLR officials also said Kenya is the fastest growing market for luxury cars.
Future Plans
As UK’s largest automotive manufacturer, Gouverneur said Brexit poses a challenge for JLR and they hope the process will be as frictionless as possible and that it will not affect their business.
Nigel also said JLR is very ambitious and it will continue to expand across the African market. The manufacturer also wants all its new vehicles to be electrified from 2020. In the opinion of Nigel, the market for electrified cars in Kenya will depend on the supporting infrastructure the government puts into place.
“If the right infrastructure is there, we are ready to bring electric cars into the Kenyan market,” he said.
