Inchcape Kenya, the local subsidiary of Inchcape Plc global, has offically announced the addition of Changan Auto to its portfolio in Kenya, marking the brand’s entry into the East African market.
This development will provide Kenyans and East Africans with access to a choice of Changan passenger and light commercial vehicles. The company has already established itself in African markets such as Angola, Egypt, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Ghana.
Inchcape showcased six models from Changan’s range of vehicles at the launch event, which took place at the new Changan showroom on Lusaka Road in Nairobi. Oshan SUV, Alsvin car, Hunter pickup, Star 5 minivan, and Star 5 compact truck single and double cabin are among them.
One of Changan’s flagship vehicles, the Oshan SUV, is powered by a 1.5L turbocharged engine and has a fuel average of 14-15 km/litre, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.23 seconds. The Oshan has a beautiful cabin with features such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FW), and heated and vented seats.
Alsvin Sedan and Hunter Pickup are two more flagship models launched. Alsvin sedan is a stylish and fuel-efficient option, with a 1.5 litre Euro 6 engine and a 5-year warranty for long-term peace of mind.
The Hunter pick-up truck is a versatile and tough diesel vehicle designed for both work and play, with significant power and torque and 2WD and 4WD variations to handle various terrains.
Ms. Julia Vershinskaya, Managing Director Inchcape Kenya, commented:
“The launch of Changan Auto marks a significant milestone for our operations in Kenya and beyond. We understand how discerning the Kenyan customer is when searching for value and our goal is to ensure a wonderful driving experience for them. Our partnership with Changan holds significant strategic value for us. As part of our long-term strategy, we prioritise building sustainable relationships with our OEM partners, and we have already established successful collaborations with leading Chinese OEMs on a global scale. Given their expanding presence, particularly in the EV sector, Chinese OEMs have significant representation in the Inchcape portfolio. It is worth noting, that Inchcape has more Chinese OEMs partnerships than any other automotive distributor thanks to our market insight and experience.”
Changan Group currently ranks fifth among Chinese automobile groups, first in China domestic sales, and second globally as an independent Chinese brand as of 2022. While the majority of its sales (93% of total sales in 2021) continue to occur in China, foreign sales are fast increasing, with over 200 000 units sold outside of China in 2022.