Made in Africa: eight African cars

27 January 2016African motoring is stepping up its game in the competitive but profitable
automotive industry, giving the Germans, Indians and Chinese leaders in vehicle design and
manufacturing some competition in local markets. But they are also creating wholly locally sourced
vehicles that can compete on the international market.[embedded content]Much like South Africanborn Elon Musk is changing the game with Tesla Motors and its revolutionary electric motor
innovation, South African motor manufacturing, be it luxury, commercial or concept and
performance vehicles, is always a little different and ahead of its time.[embedded content]Here are
eight of the best African car manufacturers:Birkin, South AfricaBirkin | S3 http://t.co/5MZRJu7Ymj
pic.twitter.com/jrvkeNZ9Ya
marcas de coches (@MarcasDeCoches1) April 13, 2015Founded in 1980 and based in Durban,
Birkin Cars is best known for its quality reproductions of the Lotus 7 Series 3, called the Birkin S3.
The company exports locally manufactured Lotus and other limited-edition performance car replicas
around the world.[embedded content]Saroukh el-Jamahiriya, Libyacall her the saroukh el-jamahiriya
which means Libyan- Rocket ...which explains the design #CrazyCarInventions
pic.twitter.com/P24kZ7MpTM
AutoblogKE (@AutoblogKE) June 26, 2015The legendary "Libyan rocket" was fast, luxurious and
safe. Designed especially for former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 1999, the car, wholly built
in Libya, was the country's pride and joy, pitted against the German luxury car market
leaders.Unfortunately, it never went into full-time production, yet it was a prime example of
inventive North African design. Designers claimed it to be one of the safest cars ever made,
comparable to Volvo and Saab. It had some innovative safety features, including the ability to drive
for miles on flat tyres making it perfect for desert conditions and a full electronic safety system with
airbags. In fact, it was one of the first cars to have airbags for all four seats.[embedded
content]Laraki, MoroccoLaraki Epitome supercar - #cars #hotrods #motorcycles #trucks
https://t.co/8qoedH9Rdp pic.twitter.com/C04w5ZL1wm
Car World Today (@CarsRodsCycles) January 19, 2016Laraki, a car manufacturer based in
Casablanca, is owned by Moroccan luxury yacht designer Abdeslam Laraki. The company designed
and manufactured its own range of luxury performance cars and sport models, including the Borac;
the V8, 1750 horsepower Epitome, the only officially recognised African-made supercar; and the
Fulgura, which embodies a Lamborghini in look and spirit.Larakis are strictly concept cars, custombuilt for each customer, and were ranked among the most expensive cars in the world in 2015,
priced at over $2-million (about R33-million) each.[embedded content]Advanced Automotive Design,
South AfricaPretoria's Advanced Automotive Design makes racing-style sports cars and has been in
business since 1995. The company is famous in motoring circles for its 2007 Shaka Nynya, named
after the Zulu king. It has impressed drivers with its versatility and speed.[embedded
content]Wallyscar, TunisiaWallyscar, 1er constructeur automobile en Tunisie sapprte
commercialiser sa premire voiture 100% tunisienne. pic.twitter.com/Jt1klquu2C
LesNews (@LesNews) January 5, 2016Competing in the lucrative off-road market, the small but
powerful Wallyscar, manufactured in La Marsa, Tunisia, is a relatively new company, founded in
2006. The company is building a strong reputation for affordable, reliable and powerful 4X4s,
despite the size of its vehicles, which are similar to Suzuki and Skoda.According to reports from

2014, the company sells over 600 units a year, predominately in Africa and the Middle East, but also
as far as Panama and Europe. The company's plans include making its sporty, colourful, off-road
vehicles more environmentally friendly, as well as trying its luck in international off-road
motorsport.[embedded content]Bailey Edwards, South AfricaBailey Cars GT40
https://t.co/7UCH29wTL8 1968 GT40 Replica built by Bailey Sports Racing Cars in South Africa in
pic.twitter.com/Ci58xYqz0W
Capi driver (@capipaula182) October 24, 2015Started in 2003 by brothers Peter and Greg Bailey,
Bailey Edwards is a top replica sports car manufacturer based in South Africa. The group builds and
customises classic performance cars such as the Porsche 917 and the Ferrari P4 for clients around
the world. It has a factory in New York to service the North American market.Its signature replica is
the Ford GT40 that has raced in both national and international racing tournaments. The company
has even restored an Aston Martin DB6, familiar as the classic James Bond car and much soughtafter by collectors around the world.[embedded content]Kiira Motors, Uganda#UrbanToday:
'MADE IN UGANDA CAR' - @malaikannyanzi talks to Paul Isaac Musasizi (C.E.O, Kiira Motors
Corporation) pic.twitter.com/jgrQtBigAv
Urban Television (@UrbanTVUganda) January 21, 2016The Kiira EV is the first African-made
hybrid electronic vehicle; it was launched in 2014. Still not available commercially, the car began as
a group design project by engineering students at the University of Makerere. The Ugandan
government has invested $40-million in the project, to create an affordable hybrid for the African
market and turn Uganda into a hub of the automotive industry for East Africa.With a factory in
Kampala slowly developing various sedan, off-road and urban variations, the company hopes to go
into full production by 2018, employing 10000 people and making 300 vehicles a year.#Kiira Motors
to employ 10,000 people, make 300 cars in 2018 https://t.co/wUIEQeQTCp #Uganda
pic.twitter.com/lrQ0nTh8nO
The Observer (@observerug) December 9, 2015[embedded content]Innoson,
Nigeria"@innosonmotors: Meet the Innoson Umu --> Finally the wheels of Africa!
https://t.co/2HazGvNP3i #Nigeria #Cars pic.twitter.com/CWyaqYluUP"

2ndNigerBridgeWarior (@alertigbo) January 21, 2016Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing makes

affordable, high quality and locally sourced passenger sedans in a factory in Nigeria's Anambra
state. The company's newest Fox sedan, released in 2015, has been declared "a reference point in
the success story of the Nigerian automotive industry" by Nigeria's ministry of trade and
industry.From humble beginnings as a bus manufacturer, the makers of the country's ubiquitous Uzo
minibus taxi, is now planning to go global with interest from potential Japanese and German
partners.[embedded content]Source: AFKInsider
http://www.southafrica.info/africa/8-african-cars-270116.htm