It’s not every day that an automaker enters a new market space, but that’s exactly what GM did when it officially launched in Uganda last week.
GM will be represented in Uganda by Mansour Automotive Company (MAC), the subsidiary of Mansour Group, an Egypt-based import conglomerate, which deals with everything from Caterpillar to financial holding companies to owning all McDonalds in Egypt.
MAC and GM will operate in the region under a new company, MAC East Africa, which will sell Chevrolet and Isuzu vehicles. The company has not yet divulged which which vehicles will hit the market but if MAC’s Egypt division, Al-Mansour Automotive, is anything to go by then MAC East Africa should have the Chevrolet Lanos (aka the Daewoo Lanos from 1997-2002), the Chevrolet Optra (a Baojun 630/Daewoo Lacetti) and even the Cruze, among others.
The joint expansion in Uganda marks the second time the two have ventured into Sub-Saharan Africa, the first being MAC Ghana in 2014.
As GM Africa’s Vice President of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing Brian Olson points out, the entry of MAC East Africa signals GM’s drive to  further strengthen its distribution network in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“In the last 12 months our dealers in Sub-Saharan Africa have opened five new facilities and showrooms in Angola, Nigeria, Ghana and Madagascar,” he said. “In the coming months, Zambia and Mauritius will be opening their new upgraded facilities as well.”
Comments
As Uganda is a former British colony and by default right-hand-drive, irrespective of MAC being Egyptian, it is more likely Chevy and Isuzu product for Uganda will be sourced through GM South Africa, as is the case for all new and existing sub-equitorial African markets. Very good to see GM’s healthy expansion in the region. It would also be great to see Opel rolled-out beyond South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.
can’t wait for that truck