Madagascar President; Andry Rajoelina revealed models of a new brand of locally-made cars and motorbikes. However, these vehicles are expected to hit the roads in three years.
GasyCar – which is what they are called, is the second brand of automobiles manufactured in the Indian Ocean island nation. The first was Karenjy; which was launched by the government likewise, in 1984.
The first GasyCar plant is to be built this year, with the first models expected to reach the market by 2023. “We will sell in the national market, but we are also thinking of exporting to Africa and around the world,” Rajoelina said.
The prototypes of these motorbikes and SUV models made in Madagascar were shown at the launch.
Madagascar’s local car industry introduction to the global stage came in1989.Karenjy produced two popemobiles for Pope John Paul II’s visit. Subsequently, in 2019 another popemobile was built for Pope Francis. However, Karenjy only makes about a dozen cars a year. The starting price is around $7,300.
The hand-made vehicles are rustic and lack utilities such as electric windows or airbags. This makes it difficult for them to compete with imported brands despite its affordability.
Madagascar present; Rajoelina vowed to boost the nation’s limited industrial capacity after his election in 2018.
Being one of the poorest countries in the world – with 90 percent of the population surviving on less than two dollars per day, the government sees this as an opportunity to generate revenue and improve the standard of living.
Do you think this vehicle can compete in the international market in the future.
