Date: May 11, 2023

CFAO Motors and DT Dobie combine operations forming the largest automotive distributor and service provider in the country

News → CFAO Motors and DT Dobie combine operations forming the largest automotive distributor and service provider in the country

Nairobi, Kenya, May 10, 2023… CFAO Group, a major player in the distribution of goods and services in Africa, are excited to announce that DT Dobie has transferred its business assets to CFAO Motors Kenya with effect from 1st April 2023. Consequently, the respective businesses of CFAO Motors Kenya and DT Dobie will be run under one entity, CFAO Motors Kenya. The internal restructure brings together two strong, well-established and respected automotive companies in Kenya which will continue to provide our excellent and diverse products and services under one entity CFAO Motors Kenya Limited.

Background

In 2016, Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC) acquired 100% shares in CFAO. With this acquisition, TTC as part of an internal group reorganization, decided to integrate all its African operations, including those previously under Toyota Kenya under CFAO. The intention was to create a significant automotive network in Africa by leveraging on CFAO’s established markets in West Africa with TTC’s considerable presence in Eastern and Southern Africa. Accordingly, TTC transferred the shares it directly held in CFAO Motors Kenya (formerly Toyota Kenya) to CFAO resulting in CFAO’s direct ownership and control of the Kenya TTC group entities including CFAO Motors Kenya and DT Dobie. 

CFAO, therefore, decided to conduct its Africa operations under a single “CFAO” brand by harmonizing and integrating the operations of its various subsidiaries in Africa including CFAO’s Kenya automotive distribution business.  CFAO Group embarked on an internal business reorganization project to streamline and simplify the structure of its mobility business in Kenya by combining the operations of CFAO Motors Kenya Limited and DT Dobie Kenya.

As a result of this, the operations of CFAO will be managed as follows:-

The Managing Director of CFAO Motors will be Mr. Arvinder Reel and its operations will be divided into the below operational divisions

  • Toyota & Yamaha Division: This division will be headed by Mr. Joshua Anya, Deputy managing director and will oversee all Toyota business, Automark pre-owned vehicles as well as our Yamaha 2-wheel division.  Joshua will also be responsible for the new state of the art, body and paint shop.
  • Multi-Brand and Equipment Division: This division will be headed by Mr. Chris Ndala, Deputy Managing Director for multi brand and equipment division and will oversee multi-brand passenger car makes which includes Volkswagen, Suzuki and Mercedes Benz Passenger cars. Our equipment Division will include all our truck and bus business with Hino, Hyundai, Mercedes Benz and Sinotruk (HOWO).
  • WINPART & AUTOFAST Division: This division will be headed by Mr. Abderrahmane Mairi, Chief Operating Officer who will oversee the Value Parts as well as AUTOFAST quick service stations (in partnership with TOTAL Energies).

The back-office support teams such as finance, corporate support, Human Resources and customer relations have been consolidated to ensure we operate efficiently and provide the first-class service to you as our customers and stakeholders.

Speaking while announcing the new CFAO Motors business direction, Managing Director Arvinder Reel said, “As the preferred partners for mobility solutions in Kenya we serve a wide cross section of customers. This new business positioning greatly enhances our automotive value proposition in the market with the largest portfolio of mobility solutions across this wide segment of customers as well as the largest aftersales service network in the country.”

The new entity has also expanded the local assembly offering by CFAO Motors Kenya, combining the assembly of Landcruiser 79 (LC79), Hilux pick-ups, Hiace and Hino trucks at Associated Vehicle Assembly (AVA) in Mombasa, and the VW Polo, Tiguan, Touareg, T-cross, Mercedes truck and buses and Hyundai trucks at Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM) at Thika, Kiambu County.

CFAO Motors Kenya now has the largest dealer network in the country at 36 with the combination of branches, dealerships and authorized service centres.