Photos and videos of a small three-wheeled car driving from a petrol station and parked beside the road have been trending on social media.
The Kenya Times has since established that the car was manufactured in Kenya by a youth named Kenny Saota, who is based in Mavoko near the Athi River.
In a phone interview, Saota confirmed that he owns the car and is in the process of manufacturing another similar one.
“That car is mine; I am located in Athi River. I manufactured the car the other day. There is another one I am manufacturing; it is three-wheeled and smaller than this one,” he said.
Unlike other expensive cars, Saota said he can sell the car at around Ksh500,000. He explained that he plans to fit the car with a vehicle engine and is looking for sponsors to support his business.
“I want to change the engine; right now, it is using that of a motorbike. I have not gotten any sponsors yet, but I am really looking for them,” he said.
Kenya has a number of locally made cars. The Nyayo Pioneer Car tops this list, with the first model officially launched in 1991.
Late President Daniel Arap Moi spearheaded the project, which saw all vehicle parts locally manufactured except for the carburetor.
It featured four variants: a 5-door sedan, a pickup truck, a rally version, and a sports coupe.
#2 BJ50 Car
BJ50 is a four-wheel car that resembles a Tuk-Tuk and can accommodate up to 6 passengers. It was invented by Sagak Tech Enterprises, a company that operates in Laikipia County.
Samuel Njogu invented the car, and the first vehicle was released into the market in June 2021, costing around Ksh450,000.
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Volkswagen
The first Volkswagen production plant was launched in Kenya in 2016 in Thika, Kiambu County. The company produces the Polo Vivo, a saloon car estimated at around Ksh2.5 million.
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Mobius 2 & 3
Mobius 2 and 3 are other locally manufactured cars designed by Mobius Motors to fit the needs of Kenyans. Mobius 3 was unveiled in August 2021 as part of a new series off the production line.
It is a sports utility vehicle (SUV), which retails at Ksh3.95 million, excluding Value Added Tax (VAT). Mobius 2 came before Mobius 3 and is designed, manufactured, and sold in Kenya.
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