French automaker Peugeot is set to start assembling cars in Kenya next year. The automaker will become the latest multinational to start producing vehicles in the country.
Currently, Peugeot’s local dealer Urysia has been importing fully-built models including ambulances, passenger cars and utility vehicles. Urysia took over as Peugeot’s local distributor from Marshalls East Africa, which lost the contract with Peugeot in 2007.
Nonetheless, Peugeot has not decided whether it will set up its own plant or if it will sign a contract with an existing car assembler.
According to the automaker’s latest annual report, the move to set up in Kenya is part of its expansion strategy that has also seen it pitch camp in Nigeria and Morrocco.
This follows the decision by German automaker Volkswagen to set up an assembly plant in Kenya. The maker is set to launch its first locally assembled vehicle next week. The vehicle has been dubbed Volkswagen Polo Vivo.
