Toyota Tsusho Corporation (“Toyota Tsusho”), acting through Toyota Kenya Limited (“TKEN”), began SKD* production of the Toyota Hiace at Associated Vehicle Assemblers Ltd. (“AVA”), a vehicle production contractor, using parts supplied by Toyota Motor Corporation (“Toyota”), on November 9, 2021. The planned annual production volume is 500 units. Investment associated with the addition of the Hiace as a production model was approximately US$600,000 (equivalent to approximately 70 million Japanese yen; including equipment, tools, and training of assembly personnel).
The Hiace vehicles to be produced will be used as “matatu”, privately-owned minibuses operated in Kenya. Toyota Tsusho’s ” WITH AFRICA FOR AFRICA ” philosophy, which seeks to achieve growth with the African people and African society, the Hiace will be produced locally to provide safe and secure means of public transportation in Africa.
In conjunction with the local production of the Hiace, TKEN has started to provide a MaaS Package to enhance the quality of bus services. This package uses a service provided by Data Integrated Limited (Data Integrated), which develops and provides operational management systems for bus transportation operators, and is expected to improve the flow of information on bus operation. Toyota Tsusho invested in Data Integrated through Mobility 54 Investment SAS.
A ceremony marking the start of Hiace production was held at the AVA Mombasa Plant from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (local time; 4:00-7:00 p.m. Japan time) on December 15. Betty Maina, Cabinet Secretary of Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development, attended the ceremony, at which Keiji Masui, President of Toyota Auto Body Co., Ltd. and Ichiro Kashitani, President & CEO of Toyota Tsusho presented video messages, conveying their commitment for contributing to Kenya’s further development through production of the Hiace.
*Semi knock-down. A simple method of vehicle assembly that requires only the tightening of bolts and the like, unlike complete knock-down (CKD) production.
[Overview of TKEN]
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Company name
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Toyota Kenya Limited |
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Location
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Nairobi, Republic of Kenya |
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Capital
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464 million Kenyan shillings |
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Shareholder
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CFAO SAS: 100% |
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Establishment
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2001 |
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Business
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Automobile manufacture and sales |
[Overview of AVA]
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Company name
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Associated Vehicle Assemblers Ltd. |
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Location
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Mombasa, Republic of Kenya |
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Capital
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10 million Kenyan shillings |
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Shareholder
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Simba Corporation: 100% |
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Establishment/ start of production
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1975 |
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Production models
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Toyota: Land Cruiser, Hilux Hino: XZU, FC, FM |
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Production volume
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2019: Approx. 1,100 units 2020: Approx. 1,300 units Jan.-Oct. 2021: Approx. 1,300 units Only vehicles of which the production was outsourced by the Toyota Tsusho Group are indicated. |