CFAO Motors Kenya, formerly Toyota Kenya, has kicked off the construction of a multi-brand showroom in Kisumu County in a bid to expand its operation base in the Lake Region.
The Japanese automobile manufacturer company will invest Sh500 million in the construction of the Kisumu showroom.
Kisumu Governor Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, officiated the ground-breaking ceremony saying the project would provide a great economic boost for the County as well as offer employment opportunities for the locals.
Nyong’o hailed the company for its decision to expand its businesses in the Lakeside County, citing his administration’s commitment to re-organize and re-brand Kisumu into a business destination hub.
“By expanding your presence in Kisumu, your business will enjoy the advantage of a larger untapped market both in the Lake Region Economic Bloc and in the larger East and Central Africa region,” said the Governor.
The facility sits on 3,600 square meters of land in Nyamasaria estate and will be completed in 12 months.
Currently, the Company’s Kisumu branch has two showrooms and service workshops scattered in different locations on rented premises.
CFAO Motors Kenya Managing Director Arvinder Reel, said the new facility would enhance the company’s support for its clientele in the region.
“This investment will enable us to consolidate our operations and offer our Lake region customers a great experience where they can access sale of vehicles, spare parts, and service all under one roof as opposed to now where our showroom and service workshops are in two different locations within the city,” Reel affirmed.
The showroom is designed to have service bays, engine overhaul bays, wash bays, a cafeteria, and plant offices. In addition, it will have sufficient parking space for customers and increased space to display the auto distributor’s expanded portfolio.
CFAO is an established player in the automotive industry and offers a wide range of personal and commercial vehicles as well as spare parts.
With its headquarters in Nairobi, it is the sole distributor and service provider of Toyota, Yamaha motorcycles, and Hino trucks and is an appointed distributor of the Suzuki brand. It has a network of 33 branches, dealerships, and authorized Toyota service centres across the country.
Reel also reported the company has introduced Automark in the Lake region to offer trade-in services where customers can bring in their used vehicles for new ones.
The new showroom will utilize green energy by installing a solar plant expected to generate 45,000kWh per annum in an effort to curb climate change.
By Robert Ojwang’ and Joseph Ouma
