Media/Press Releases

Published on 05th May, 2025

The 26th EV Expo Kenya 2026 - International Trade Exhibition on Automotive, Spare Parts, and Accessories is set to take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 28th to 30th May 2025 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). Recognized as the largest and most influential automotive exhibition in the East African region, the event will bring together key players from across the global automotive industry.

The renowned event will be officially inaugurated by Hon. Lee Kinyanjui, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Trade & Industry (MITI), Republic of Kenya, a prominent figure in the region's transport and industrial development sector.

The exhibition aims to serve as a vital platform for industry stakeholders to network, showcase innovations, and explore the latest trends in automotive technology, spare parts, and vehicle accessories.

With rapid developments in infrastructure and a growing demand for advanced transportation solutions, Kenya stands as a strategic hub for the automotive industry in East and Central Africa. EV Expo Kenya 2026 is a testament to this growing momentum and the country's commitment to fostering industrial growth through international collaboration.

Exhibitors from over 30 countries will be participating in the event, displaying a wide variety of products and innovations ranging from spare parts and components, batteries, lubricants, and garage equipment, to heavy commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and electric mobility solutions. Countries participating include China, India, Germany, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Turkey, Taiwan (ROC), Italy, and more.

Some of the prominent exhibitors at this year's edition include: PODDAR TYRES LIMITED - India, ASSOCIATED CEAT PRIVATE LIMITED - Sri Lanka, GUMÁRNY ZUBŘÍ, AKCIOVÁ SPOLEČNOST - Czech Republic, 4CR CAR REFINISH - Germany, etc.

EV Expo Kenya 2026 is supported by several national and international industry bodies including the Automotive Parts Manufacturing Association of Kenya (APMA), Automobile Association of Kenya (AA Kenya), Electric Vehicle Society of East Africa (ECSEA), and other key automotive associations and organizations that continue to drive standards and investment in the automotive sector.

The event promises unmatched business networking opportunities, live product demonstrations, and insightful engagements between manufacturers, distributors, traders, and industry experts. For more information, please contact:

Johnson Mkoka
Media Manager
EV Expo ( East Africa )
Email: johnson.m@expogr.com
Int'l: +971 43050755 | Kenya: +254 792268513

Published on 24th May, 2024

Mahindra & Mahindra has launched the new Scorpio in Kenya as part of a series of international launches. The company has appointed a Kenyan company - Oriel Ltd to distribute the vehicle in the country. The new Scorpio SUV is being launched in Kenya with 40 changes and improvements.

Oriel, part of the long established Ecta Group in Kenya, will start by launching M&M's Scorpio, a 2.6-litre turbo diesel SUV. This flagship model will be swiftly followed by M&M's Bolero, a one-tonne pick-up.

The company has a strong presence in the US, China, Malaysia, West Asia, Australia, Latin America and West Asia, as well as increasingly in Africa. Over the next couple of years it plans to get about 20 per cent of its volumes from global ventures. Mahindra is looking to consolidate operations in East Africa.

Mahindra's subsidiary in South Africa has sold over 3,000 vehicles and sales is expected to cross 5,000 vehicles this year.

Saving money and themselves from traffic jams is increasingly becoming importat for Kenyans. Escalating fuel costs, high parking fees, traffic jams and affordable motorcycles are luring Kenyans away from personal cars. This is a situation which has been building up during the last three years with the climax recorded in 2008. The scenario is a major departure from the past when motor bikes were mainly used by government employees in remote areas where cars could not endure, and by courier companies to make deliveries.

Kenyans have slowly moved from shunning motorbikes to choosing them as the most cost-effective way of saving money and time while moving around the city and countryside. Figures recently released by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics indicate a growth of 225% in sales of motorcycles in 2008. In 2003, the total sales of motorcycles stood at 2,084 units while in 2008, the number stood at 45,935, an increase of 2,000%. In many rural areas and some urban centres, motorcycles have become a reliable means of transport, ferrying people from one place to another, just like taxi.

With the motorcycle explosion in Nairobi, several business opportunities have emerged. Banks and micro-finance institutions are also targeting transporters especially those using motorcycles to offer them loans. Most of the motorcycle operators within Nairobi and other major urban areas took loans to buy their first motorcycles.

Prices of good/trendy motorbikes range from Ksh 570,000 (US$ 7,200.00) to Ksh 2.2 million (US$ 27,800.00). These are mainly purchased by middle level executives and young people from well to do families. Under this category, the main focus has been Sportbikes (600cc - 1400cc), Enduros (250cc - 650cc), Streetbikes (400cc - 1000cc), and others like Cruisers (400cc - 1800cc). The scrapping of value added tax (VAT) on importation of motorcycles of up to 250cc in July 2007 brought the prices down and resulted in higher demand for motorcycles in Kenya. The most popular high end models in the market are Japanese makes including the popular Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha.

The single largest source of motorcycle imports in Kenya is China, which mainly supplies low end makes which are very popular with low income earners due to low prices. China made motorcycles are also popular with transport operators who ferry passengers in both rural and urban areas. Prices of China made motorcycles range from Ksh 45,000.00 (US$ 570.00) to Ksh 90,000 (US$ 1,140.00). India is also becoming an important source of low end motorcycles.

Demand for motorcycles is projected to record high growth in the coming years, especially driven by the increased demand for cheaper transportation costs. Motorcycles are becoming the preferred mode of transport due to flexibility at evading traffic jams and low fuel consumption. Passenger ferrying motorcycles are becoming popular as they are faster and even cheaper compared to public service vehicles.

Malaysian manufacturers of motorcycles should also be encouraged to venture into the Kenyan market. The target group for Malaysian made motorcycles should initially be the middle income group which will use the motorcycle to commute to and from workplace. The low income consumers prefer the Chinese made motorbike due to low price while the upper income consumers will go for the high end Japanese models.

Malaysian companies should be encouraged to appoint agents in order to market their motorcycles more effectively. Alternatively, guided by proper planning, these companies could consider the possibility of establishing an assembly plant in Nairobi, which will also cater for other markets within the region.

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