A landmark agreement has been reached between FAW and Associated Motor Holdings (AMH), part of the Imperial Group
Johannesburg, 26 January 2016: A landmark agreement has been reached between FAW and Associated Motor Holdings (AMH), part of the Imperial Group, to offer the best sales experience, top-notch quality service, parts and maintenance provision to all FAW truck customers in Malawi and Zambia.
At the legal confirmation ceremony this week Manuel Pereira de Canha (CEO of AMH) affirmed AMH’s belief in the positive attributes of the FAW brand of trucks. “This Chinese brand has remarkably changed old misconceptions.
With its leading global manufacturing plant, FAW Vehicle Manufacturers SA (Pty) Ltd, like its parent company, can equal the same build and quality standards of just about any other brand. The distinction between different truck categories and the purchase decision lies with the customers and their specific operations, contracts, business models and company projections.
Some customers and fleet operators will choose more affordable, but simpler vehicles while others prefer high-end premium technology and sophistication. It’s a conscious choice for a specific business solution. It is no longer a question of the level of manufacturing infrastructure or labour, it is a question of what suits the customer best,” said Manuel Pereira de Canha.
“FAW trucks have proven in a few short years their durability, strength and rugged capacity to deal with some of the most rigorous operating conditions prevalent, especially in developing global regions, such as Africa.”
“AMH recognises this as an opportunity to grow its African footprint and we look forward to the positive growth opportunity.”
In response to Manuel Pereira de Canha’s commitment from AMH, Mr Zhijian Wang, (Managing Director of FAW Import & Export Co. Ltd.) paid respect to the trust and respect demonstrated by AMH in the FAW brand.
The greatest advantage for South Africa underpinning this agreement is that all the FAW trucks sold in sub-Saharan Africa are being manufactured locally at the Coega plant based near Port Elizabeth.
AMH will be the exclusive sales, parts, service and maintenance truck partner of FAW in Zambia and in Malawi.
“In 2015 FAW Vehicle Manufacturers built and sold over 1 000 trucks into the southern African region. With the formidable experience of a partner such as AMH in Malawi and Zambia, plus our own expansion further into Africa, we have set our sights on 5 000 trucks per annum to be sold in the near future,” said Zhijian Wang confidently.
The greatest advantage for South Africa underpinning this agreement is that all the FAW trucks sold in sub-Saharan Africa are being manufactured locally at the Coega plant based near Port Elizabeth.
This presents a remarkable opportunity for further capital investment, job creation
Opened in 2014 the FAW Coega plant has extensive capacity to expand production to up to 5 000 vehicles per annum. This presents a remarkable opportunity for further capital investment, job creation, greater localisation of second and third-tier supply levels, and an expanding vehicle manufacturing sector.
