Toyota Cars Kenya: This has been a slogan for most car owners and prospective car owners looking for reliability, affordable maintenance costs in a car and most importantly fuel economy.
Other brands like Honda, Mazda and Nissan have increased their popularity amongst Kenyan car owners in the recent past. So many myths in the Kenyan car market have been done away with, however the “Gari Ni Toyota” school of thought is not about to end any time soon.
In 2021, Toyota will continue to be the preferred make of motor vehicles for a couple of reasons:
1.The engines coming with the 2015 Toyota economy cars.
Many Kenyans especially looking for a family or small commercial vehicles really take reliability and fuel consumption keenly before buying a car.
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The 1NZ-FE engine which was used across the line on the Toyota Fielder, Axio, Probox, Succeed, Sienta, Rumion, Porte, Premio 1.5, Allion 1.5, and many others has been known to be very reliable and very fuel efficient. However with 2015 models, there I a new engine replacing the 1NZ called the 2NR-FKE.
This engine is more reliable and will give even better fuel economy in Non-Hybrid applications. You can read about this engine and why its very fuel efficient on my Facebook page. If you have driven the 2015 Toyota Fielder, Axio or Sienta, you can attest that the 2NR-FKE can give you up to 22 Kilometres per Liter of petrol. That is superb fuel economy considering that it’s not a hybrid vehicle.
2. Uncertainty on Hybrid cars.
Hybrid cars are excellent when it comes to fuel economy, but the cost of replacing their batteries sends jitters among many. The availability of the hybrid batteries is also another factor making many fear hybrids.
3. Past and current experiences with other models.
When the Mazda CX-5, came into the Kenyan market. It took the market by storm and sold like hot cakes. Many ran from the Vanguard and embraced the new kid on the block. There was a CX-5 craze until tables turned and the Diesel CX-5 started showing the overheating problem which is very expensive to repair.
Nissans too were not left out. Many are attracted to them because of the pricing factor but their CVT gearboxes have a factory defect too. The Mazda Demio became popular too but the breaking rear axle is a common menace. This is another factor that will make many Kenyans continue to buy Toyota.
4. Familiarity to mechanics when it comes to repairs and routine maintenance.
Toyota embraces the spirit of Kaizen in their production line. Kaizen is a philosophy of small but continuous improvements. Unlike other auto makers who can bring up a complete make over of a particular model, for example, The Nissan Note E11 and E12 are totally different cars. They even do not share any parts. With Toyota, it will always be an evolution, with small improvements here and there, meaning, mechanics will still be familiar with the vehicle even when a new model comes into the market. For instance the 2015 Toyota Fielder shares some parts with the 2013 one. Also, you will find that many models in the Toyota line up share parts and this makes it easy to get parts for a particular model of a Toyota.
These are some of the reasons the Toyota brand will remain popular in the Kenyan car market. Toyota Cars Kenya