Information from
South Africa on the official launch of a brand new African automotive model. 

Mureza, which describes itself as a “new African automotive model”,
says its first product for South Africa will debut later in September 2019.

The primary mannequin will probably be badged “Prim8” and can take the shape
of a cross-hatchback assembled initially from semi-knocked down (SKD) kits in
the Automotive Provider Park in Rosslyn, and later on the Willowvale meeting
plant in Zimbabwe in addition to the ex-Hyundai plant in Botswana.

The brand new mannequin will make its debut at Automechanika
Johannesburg in prototype type. The unit in query has been transformed from
left-hand drive to right-hand drive regionally, however Mureza says the long run SKD and
fully knocked down (CKD) kits will probably be “arrange for right-hand drive”.

Energy for the Prim8 comes from a 1,5-litre petrol engine
creating 87 kW and driving the entrance wheels by both a five-speed
handbook or a constantly variable transmission (CVT). The goal, says the brand new
firm, is to supply the best-equipped model of the brand new mannequin at “between
R180 000 and R200 000”.

The specification of the highest mannequin will embody keyless
entry, a seven-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, navigation, a reversing digital camera,
cruise management, parking sensors, air-con, power-adjustable driver’s
seat, 4 airbags, digital stability management, ABS and tyre-pressure
monitoring. A 3-year guarantee will even ship customary.

Mureza says it additionally plans to construct a half-tonne bakkie
(lastly some form of competitors for the Nissan NP200?), a sedan, a small SUV
and even an electrical automobile. Thereafter, the corporate needs to regionally develop
a variety of one-tonne bakkies and a panel van underneath the “Tusker” title.

So, what will we learn about Mureza? Properly, the brand new enterprise is
backed by funders within the United Arab Emirates. It says it “initially has a
three way partnership” with the SAIPA Group in Iran for “platform-sharing and the
provide of among the different main parts”, though provides its “final
goal is to design and manufacture autos in Africa for African drivers”.

The preliminary native content material goal is 40 p.c with
“vital will increase within the quick to medium time period”, in response to Tatenda
Mungofa, describes as “one in all a bunch of Africans from varied nations who
are driving this bold venture”.

Mungofa says there’s a void between the brand new autos and
used autos presently bought in African nations and says that is the hole his
group hopes to fill. Apparently, Mungofa mentioned the corporate was “trying to
promote our varied Mureza fashions by used automobile retailers as a substitute of setting
up new automotive franchised dealerships”, earlier than including “on-line promoting will probably be
vital for us, too”.