CAR NEWS

Rana Motors Unveils the Ashok Leyland Phoenix: first locally assembled – The first ever Phoenix Ashok Leyland brand of motor vehicles fully assembled in Ghana by Ghanaian engineers have been unveiled at Rana Motors’s Automotive vehicle assembling plant located at Amasaman in the Ga West Municipality in Ghana.

The new Ashok Leyland Phoenix 3-seater motor vehicle is a two-tonne payload with a five-year warranty and have a relatively cheaper fuel consumption. The Phoenix steering column comes with tilt-able and telescopic movements while the 2-point suspended cabin offers comfort and convenience. It also offers class-leading comfort that sets the benchmark in the commercial automobile industry while the vehicle also comes with multi-angle  adjustable seats.

Kassem Odaymat, Chief Operating Officer of Rana Motors,  speaking at the unveiling of the new automobile commended the government for developing the Ghana Automotive Development policy (GADP) as it had paved the way for the establishment of motor vehicle assembly plants in the country and also indicated that the phoenix truck’s launch was the results of stringer partnership between Rana Motors and Ashok Leyland and further stressed that the success of any venture was underpinned by such collaborations.

“The Phoenix, a 2-tonne payload truck, stands on an all new platform, powered by a 1500 cc Turbocharged diesel engine that delivers 80 Hp of maximum power and 190 Nm of peak torque.

What truly sets the Phoenix apart is its tailor-made features that address the diverse needs of our customers. From its fuel-efficient engine to its spacious interior, the Phoenix is designed to provide optimal performance and comfort whether it’s for personal use or commercial purposes. Its maneuverability on our small streets, robustness to tackle our diverse roads, and affordability make it an ideal fit for our country. This is more than just a vehicle; it’s a cost-effective solution”

Kassem Odaymat – Chief Operating Officer, Rana Motors

The Head of International Operations of Ashok Leyland, Rajesh R., emphasized the great progress and collaboration Ashok Leyland and Rana Motors have had over the years highlighting the high quality of their products including the new Ashok Leyland Phoenix.

“Our commitment to excellence extends beyond borders. With modern integrated manufacturing plants in India and abroad, state-of-the-art R&D centres and a global footprint spanning from Asia to Africa, we have established ourselves as a trusted and reliable partner in progress. Our products are a symbol of reliability and a testament to our enduring partnership with our customers.

It brings me immense joy to announce our collaboration with our two-decade-old partner, Rana Motors. Together we have brought the Phoenix to Ghana, maintaining the same standard as any of our vehicles produced in our modern integrated plants”

Rajesh R. – Head of International Operations of Ashok Leyland

First Secretary and Acting High Commissioner of India to Ghana, Chinpau Ngaihte in a brief remark at the launch of the new Phoenix trucks indicated that the new development reflects a great partnership between India and Ghana.

“As speakers before me said, we have gathered here in this vibrant land of Ghana to celebrate the remarkable collaboration between India and Ghana exemplified through the local assembling of Ashok Leyland Phoenix on Ghanaian soil. This achievement is a testament to the enduring partnership between our nations and a significant milestone in our shared journey towards progress and economic empowerment”

Chinpau Ngaihte – First Secretary and Acting High Commissioner of India to Ghana

Component assembly policy

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry & New Juaben South Member of Parliament, Michael Okyere Baafi, who officially unveiled the new trucks, expressed delight about the achievement chalked by Rana Motors and Ashok Leyland.

He noted that the assembling of the Ashok Leyland brands of vehicles under the Ghana Automotive Development Programme brings to eleven, the brands of motor vehicles being assembled under the programme.

He stressed that Ghana was on the path of becoming the vehicle manufacturing hub in the sub-region through the implementation of the Ghana Automotive Development Programme highlighting the substantial positive impacts the automotive industry can have on economies.

The deputy minister added that as a measure to promote the development of an integrated automotive industry, the government was finalizing processes on the development of a Component Manufacturing policy. 

“This policy is meant to attract investments from component manufacturers to feed into the local automotive industry while supplying aftermarket components across the sub-region”

Michael Okyere Baafi, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry & New Juaben South Member of Parliament

Mr Baafi said the policy would further enhance the availability of certified parts and assembly components to drive the export of made-in-Ghana vehicles under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) rules.

The launch of the Phoenix trucks brings to eight the range of cars assembled in the country by Rana Motors.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commissions KIA vehicle assembly plant – President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned the Kia automobile assembly plant in Ghana, urging the motor vehicle manufacturer to work towards making their products affordable to the local consumer.

Rana Motors

Set up by Rana Motors Limited, a local licensed dealer for the South Korean automobile company, the plant, situated at Amasaman in the Ga West Municipality of Ghana, will assemble various Kia brands for Ghana and the West African markets.

The plant is a landmark achievement that marks the rollout of the first generation of KIA motor vehicles assembled under the Automotive Development Policy of the government.

Chief Executive Officer of Rana Motors, Essam Odaymat, in his address, recounted that the dream of the company started some 35 years ago when their father, Alhaji Mohammed Odaymat arrived in Ghana and stayed throughout the years to achieve his dream.

“Rana Motors began as a humble metal fabrication workshop located at Avenor. Handwork and dedication were soon to pay off in 1986 when Rana Motors was awarded the dealership in KIA vehicles being the first to do in Sub-Saharan Africa. The establishment of the company over the years, required tremendous effort to gradually change the perception and shine a ling in what we always believed the people behind the KIA brand possessed.”

Chief Executive Officer of Rana Motors, Essam Odaymat

Mr. Essam Odaymat however expressed gratitude to the government of Ghana for laying the foundation to allow their father to realise the dream.

Chief Operating Officer of Rana Motors, Kassem Odaymat, said one key feature of the newly commissioned motor vehicle assembly plant can produce 70,000 units of annual volume with enough space and planning to include more complex assembly.

“It has been built with environmental credentials protecting the future of all of us including rain water harvesting, solar power readiness and even recycling shipping materials and metal into parts of the building,”

Chief Operating Officer of Rana Motors, Kassem Odaymat

Kassem Odaymat added that the facility is capable of meeting and satisfying Ghanaian standards and customs needs. He said it can further expand to meet the standards and customer needs of neighbouring countries in Africa which will allow the potential exportation of cars from Ghana to other markets.

“I look forward to a bright future for this facility when it will produce higher volumes with much more complex operations,”

Chief Operating Officer of Rana Motors, Kassem Odaymat

President Akufo-Addo said the opening of the plant was a major boost for Ghana’s industrial transformation agenda and that the development would enable his government to achieve its vision to make Ghana a fully integrated and competitive industrialised hub of the automotive industry in the West African sub region.

The President said the establishment of the plant had been made possible by the conscious initiative of his administration to attract investment in the automotive sector under the Ghana Automotive Development Policy initiated by his Government and further stressed that they will pursue policies that would stimulate patronage of locally assembled vehicles.

Kia is the fourth largest global motor vehicle manufacturer. The company joins other global car brands including Toyota-Suzuki, Nissan, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Sinotruck, and Ghana’s indigenous brand Kantanka, who have already established motor vehicle assembly plants in Ghana.

Noting that the critical component for harnessing the full potential of the automotive industry was a demand for assembled motor vehicles, the President revealed that his government was developing policies that would enable ordinary citizens to acquire locally assembled vehicles.

“As you may all be aware, I have directed the Chief of Staff at the office of the President, the prioritisation of the procurement of domestically assembled vehicles by state institutions to fulfill the government’s commitment to patronising made-in-Ghana products.” 

President Akufo-Addo

“We are, however, mindful of the fact that the state alone cannot purchase the sufficient numbers of vehicles to be produced from our assembly plants and will thus require Ghanaians also patronise these vehicles”

President Akufo-Addo

Consequently, the government, the President disclosed, would soon roll out an asset-based vehicle financing scheme, as pertained in other developed climes, to stimulate the demand for domestically assembled vehicles.

“We have also shown commitment by implementing the zero-rating of VAT on the sale of domestically assembled vehicles. This means that there is no VAT on the sale of domestically assembled vehicles even to the end user to make domestically assembled vehicles affordable,”

President Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo told the gathering that he had charged the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta to submit to Parliament the required legislative instruction proposing the implementation start date of the Customs Amendment Act (2020) and implementation of those outstanding provisions would trigger the full implementation of the Ghana automotive development policy and drive further investment into the industry.

The President also disclosed that the Trade and Industry Minister would soon submit to Cabinet for approval the Ghana Automotive Component Manufacturing Policy (ACMP), outlining incentives to attract investors into the component manufacturing sector. 

The policy, he stated, would also support ‘artisans at Suame in Kumasi, Kokompe in Accra, and other enclaves to upgrade their capacity to fit in the automotive industry.

President Akufo-Addo expressed hope that the incentives granted to Rana Motors would translate into competitive pricing of motor vehicles for the Ghanaian consumer.

“We look forward to the transitioning of this assembly plant into a fully integrated vehicle production plant in Ghana,”

President Akufo-Addo

First Locally Assembled Suzuki Swift Unveiled in Ghana – Toyota Tsusho Manufacturing Ghana Company Ltd (TTMG), based in Kpone, Tema unveiled the first locally assembled Suzuki Swift in Ghana. Toyota Tsusho Manufacturing Ghana Company Ltd (TTMG), Toyota Tsusho Corporation (“Toyota Tsusho”)’s vehicle assembly company in the Republic of Ghana, began SKD* production of Suzuki Motor Corporation (“Suzuki”)’s Swift compact car in Ghana in September 2022.

Automobile assembly in Ghana rides on the back of a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in developing Ghana’s automotive industry, signed between Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC) and the Government of Ghana.

With the introduction of the Ghana Automotive Development Policy, the Government of Ghana aims to enlarge the automotive industry and create new opportunities for skilled Ghanaians. The policy cater the necessary framework to establish assembly and manufacturing capacity in Ghana and to create a fully integrated and competitive industrial hub for automotive manufacturing in collaboration with the private sector, global, regional and domestic. 

The Suzuki Swift is a subcompact automobile known for its fuel efficiency, affordable price, and fun-to-drive nature. In addition, the Swift is perfect for city driving as it has a tight turning circle, excellent visibility, and light controls. As a result, the Suzuki range in Ghana has demonstrated impressive growth in market share across various automobile segments, with CFAO Ghana PLC recording a sale of 2900 units since its introduction in 2015.

During his welcome address, Mr Akira Yamada, Managing Director of TTMG, disclosed his appreciation to the Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC), CFAO Ghana PLC and the Ministry of Trade & Industry for making possible this laudable feat for TTMG, and Ghana’s automotive industry.

‘This assembly project marks an important milestone for both parties since it is the first Suzuki assembly effort with TTC.’ He added, ‘In 2022, Suzuki sales in Africa increased by 60% to 116 thousand units and in Ghana increased by 63% to over 1 thousand units. Therefore, we have positioned this alliance as essential to our company’s strategy in the African market. We will continue strengthening it to enhance Suzuki’s presence in Africa, especially in Ghana.’

Mr Koichi Suzuki,Managing Officer, Middle East and Africa Division of SMC

Mr Shinichiro Otsuka, Chief Operating Officer for TTC, Africa Division, declared his gratitude to the government of Ghana for issuing the necessary certification to TTMG as a vehicle assembly facility, which was in line with the Ghana Automotive Development Policy. He added, ‘We are committed to contributing to the economy, industry and society of the republic of Ghana through automobile production together with Suzuki Motor Corporation.’

At the unveiling event, Mr Adedamola Adelabu, Managing Director & Country Delegate of CFAO Ghana PLC, gave an overview of Suzuki’s performance in Ghana’s automotive market. He shared that ‘By 2022, Suzuki attained a market share of 5%, and currently holds a market share of 17%, reflecting a growth of 293%. The Swift model alone accounts for 30% of total sales volume.’

 “The government of Ghana is fully committed to working with all stakeholders to promote industrialization and make Ghana the industrial hub for the automotive industry in Africa”

Honourable Samuel Abu Jinapor, Minister for Trade & Industry

After a special tape-cutting ceremony, the Suzuki Swift vehicle was unveiled amidst fanfare and audience applause. The commissioning ceremony is another commendable milestone for TTMG, SMC, TTC and CFAO Ghana PLC; a union of sound investment and technology transfer aimed at making Ghana a competitive automotive hub in Africa.

Overview of TTMG

Company Name	TOYOTA TSUSHO MANUFACTURING GHANA CO. LIMITED
Location	Tema, Republic of Ghana
Capital	8 million U.S. dollars
Shareholder	Toyota Tsusho 100％
Representative	Akira Yamada, Managing Director
Established	June 2020
Business Description	Automobile assembly and production
Production Vehicles	Toyota Hilux, Suzuki Swift
Production Volume	1,700 units/year

President of Ghana commissions a US$ 9-million Nissan’s state-of-the art Navara assembly plant at Tema – The president of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, officially commissioned the brand-new state of the art Nissan Navara assembly plant in Tema in the Greater Accra Region.

The Nissan Navara assembly plant is the highest of a journey that started in 2018 when Nissan became the first mover in Ghana to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Ghanaian government to work towards creating the Ghana Automotive Development Policy.

Nissan designated Japan Motors, one of its two long standing distributors in Ghana, as its certified assembler in 2020. Work on the 5000 sq.m plant began shortly afterwards and today, 17 months later, the plant was officially opened by president Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo as the first Nissan Navaras began rolling off the assembly lines.

Speaking at the Nissan Assembly Plant’s opening, President Nana Akufo-Addo stated that the importation of motor and transport vehicles constitutes the leading import into Ghana, estimated at $1.5 billion annually. He noted the emergence Covid-19, has emphasized the need for Ghana to be self-reliant and produce domestically.

“Today marks yet another important mile stone I our quest to make Ghana a new manufacturing hub for Africa, in particular, realise our vision of becoming a leading player in the automobile industry in Africa. I’m delighted that in the automobile sector, we have attracted investment from a number of global iconic brands,”

– President Nana Akufo-Addo

He said the presence of the facility comes to support the industrial transformation agenda to diversify the economy.

Nana Akufo-Addo noted Ghana government identifies that the establishment of assembly plant alone does not create the significance deployment opportunities expected from the automotive industry.

In this regard, he added –

“The elaboration of a comprehensive complement and supply development program by the Trade Ministry to support local production of component and parts for the automobile industry.”

– President Nana Akufo-Addo

The President further added that the component manufacturing policy that will provide targeted incentive to attract various investors to manufacture domestically components and parts is being developed.

“The rolling out of this policy will lead to harnessing the capacity of local value chained actors particularly technicians, operating in the Suame Magazine, Abosey kai and others across the country to play critical role in component manufacturing and supply development program”

– President Nana Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo further indicated that three other vehicle manufacturers, namely Hyundai, KIA and Renault will embark commercial production this year.

Present at the opening was Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, who said the facility, will create the needed jobs for Ghanaians and that the growth of the automobile industry will also attract foreign direct investment.

“We believe that this is just not going to bring investment in the auto industry into our country but will bring other investments,”

– Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen

The new state-of-the-art Nissan assembly plant has the capacity to assemble 5,000 new automobiles annually and will also produce Peugeot vehicles.

Nissan Africa managing director, Mike Whitfield, said it was an incredible joyous and emotional experience.

“Less than eight months ago, the Nissan plant in Rosslyn South Africa passed its final test to be given the green light to start manufacturing the all new “built of more’ Nissan Navara. Right at that time, a key group from this plant graduated in the same plant, having received extensive and intensive training on the assembling of these vehicles. Just over a month ago, this brand-new assembly plant passed its own final test – the very same one that the Rosslyn plant had to pass because in the world of Nissan there is only one standard – it is Nissan’s. I can tell you all, without any fear of contradiction, that this is the most modern, most state-of the art plant anywhere in West Africa.”

– Nissan Africa Managing Director, Mike Whitfield

The plant, he said, was proof of the fantastic public private partnership between the government of Ghana, Japan Motors and Nissan Africa.

“The existence of this plant is tribute to the passion and commitment of Japan Motors investing US$ 9-million, which in itself would not have been possible without the security and certainty offered by the government of Ghana’s progressive automotive industry development policy which was signed into law in record time. Ghana today stands as a benchmark for the African automotive industry, an example of what can be done when there is a will and a vision.”

– Japan Motors MD, Salem Kalmoni

Japan Motors MD, Salem Kalmoni, whose grandfather began what would become Japan Motors 100 years ago, said the US $9-million investment was proof of his family’s commitment to the country and the government, creating jobs and opportunities in the country.

“To borrow from the Minister of Trade and Industry Alan Kyerematen; we have indeed “put our skin into it’.”

Kalmoni said he hoped that the government would now fully implement the Ghana Automotive Development Policy, after having identified vehicle assembly and automotive component manufacturing as a strategic anchor industry for its Ten Point Plan for Ghana’s industrial development.

Whitfield paid tribute too to Nissan’s other distributor in Ghana, APL Nissan;-

“I am grateful too today for our continued friendship and association with Subhi Accad and his company APL Nissan Ghana, who together with Japan Motors are Nissan’s two sole distributors in Ghana. I have no doubt that together these two companies will put Nissan right back up as the top selling automotive brand in Ghana once more.”

– Nissan Africa Managing Director, Mike Whitfield

Peugeot Landtrek Double Cabin 4×4 Pick-up Vehicle Launched in Ghana; assembling of Peugeot vehicles in Ghana to begin in March 2022

Disclosing at the unveiling of the all new Peugeot Landtrek Double Cabin 4×4 Pick-up automobile at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, Chief Executive of Silver Star Auto, Asad Nazir, labelled the launch as a historic milestone for partners to deepen their strategic proposition to a quality automobile industry in Ghana.

Stelantis Group will assemble both cars by Silver Star within six months from today (March 2022). We believe the environment for automobile industry is an enormous opportunity for us to expand and provide the best for the Ghanaian and West African market.

-Asad Nazir, Chief Executive Officer, Silver Star Auto

Speaking at the Peugeot Landtrek Double Cabin 4×4 Pick-up launch, Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Michael Okyere Baafi enlightened that Ghana governments automotive development programme will give equipment manufacturers access to regional and continental trade opportunities.

To provide opportunities for higher value addition and highly skilled employment, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has developed a comprehensive package of incentives and policy measures to support the establishment of an automotive assembly and component manufacturing industry, as a strategic anchor of industrialization and a new pillar of growth in Ghana.

Michael Okyere Baafi, Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry

Peugeot Landtrek Double Cabin 4×4 vehicle

The new PEUGEOT LANDTREK marks the revitalization of the PEUGEOT Pick-up and includes all the brands best strengths.

This new Pick-up truck finalizes a range of commercial automobiles from the PEUGEOT brand, which has been famous for its robustness and its adaptation to customer usages across the African continent for nearly a century.

It enables Peugeot to make a tough comeback on the African market where the brand has a very strong heritage powered by its numerous racing victories, and it personifies the DNA of legendary models such as the 404 wagon and the 504 Pick-up truck.

The new Peugeot Landtrek 4×4 has 1.9L (150HP) Engine, 4×4 Hill Descent Control Radio, Disclaimer MP3, Bluetooth, USB with 4 speakers Heavy Duty Eliptic Leaf Spring rear Suspension.

The Peugeot brand is becoming progressively more global with the new PEUGEOT LANDTREK, which is entering the One Ton Pick-up segment with the goal of becoming a new reference in a market that represents around 300,000 annual sales units in the Middle East Africa region.

The new PEUGEOT LANDTREK is available in three body styles: double and single cab as well as a chassis cab suitable for different conversions.

It has the most accommodating body in its classification and an adaptability that is unique in the segment. It offers faultless crossing performance and meets both professional and family needs, with a payload that can exceed one tonne and a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tons.

When designing the new PEUGEOT LANDTREK, particular attention was paid to reliability, robustness and ease of repair, which are among the main prospects of commercial vehicle customers.

The new PEUGEOT LANDTREK automobile will be obtainable in more than 180 PEUGEOT sales outlets throughout the region, with highly trained sales staff and technicians.

As for spare parts, they will be accessible at a competitive price with a service rate of over 90% thanks to the Brands partner networks.

The new PEUGEOT LANDTREK includes all the essential elements of the segment, and makes it possible to fulfill all the expectations and cover the wide variety of the markets on the African continent, thanks to the breadth of its range.

It is available in three silhouettes (Single Cab, Double Cab and Chassis Cab), in Petrol and Diesel, with manual or automatic gearboxes, and has fantastic crossing capacities with two or four wheel drive transmissions.

The PEUGEOT LANDTREK offers up to three tons of towing capacity and a payload that exceeds 1t and can even reach 1.2t on some versions and has the most accommodating cargo bed in the segment!

In terms of comfort, the new PEUGEOT LANDTREK comes with state-of-the-art on-board technology, advanced adaptability and SUV-like driving pleasure.

Joseph Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, a former Member of Parliament for Tema East and a former Deputy Minister of Transport, being the first Ghanaian to purchase the new Peugeot Landtrek Double Cabin 4×4 Pick-up Vehicle.

I feel very special, Titus Glover expressed. We tried the first brand, we work in the mines and so far, so good. And I think this is going to give us more luxury. 25 years of my life, Ive been driving Peugeot and they are efficient.

– Joseph Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, former Member of Parliament for Tema East & former Deputy Minister of Transport

Toyota Ghana Debuts New Land Cruiser 300 – Toyota Ghana Company Limited has unveiled its new Toyota Land Cruiser 300 series into the Ghanaian automobile market. The remodeled new Land Cruiser 300 is the successor to the Land Cruiser 200 Series, a station wagon model that was launched in 2007.

Since its unveiling in 1951, the Toyota Land Cruiser continued to be carefully chosen by customers as a safe and secure automobile symbolizing Toyota.

Briefing the media, Mr. Andrew Lamptey, the Head of Sales Operations of Toyota Ghana, stated that a cumulative total of approximately 10.4 million units and more than 300,000 units a year had been sold in 170 countries and regions all over the world.

Mr. Lamptey added that as the flagship model of the Land Cruiser series, it had in every generation led the way in automobile evolution while incorporating the latest technologies to suit consumer demand.

“To continue to live up to its reputation among customers as a vehicle that allows people to go anywhere and everywhere and come back alive and safe, the Land Cruiser’s unrivalled existence has continued to evolve, improving its reliability, durability, and off-road performance based on the actual usage situations of customers all over the world,” 

– Mr. Andrew Lamptey Head of Sales Operations, Toyota Ghana Limited

The Head of Sales Operations added that the development objectives for the new Land Cruiser were to inherit and evolve the Land Cruiser’s essence of “reliability, durability, and off-road performance.” And it was also to build a riding experience that enabled the driver to drive with easiness on any type of road in the world without tiring easily.

Mr. Jerry Mensah, the National Sales and Marketing Manager for Toyota Ghana Limited, said the new Land Cruiser 300 Series was a complete redesign of the outgoing 200 Series, launched 14 years ago.

The Land Cruiser 300 Series identity had also been reshaped by merging cutting-edge technologies, some (technologies) accumulated over many years.

The Land Cruiser 300 comes in three variants that are GX-R, VX and GR-S with a V6, 3.3 litre twin-turbo engine capacities. The three variants also come with a 12.3 infotainment system for the driver.

The new Toyota Land Cruiser 300 model costs between $110,000 and $150,000.