Simba Corp has entered into a partnership with British auto brand MG to distribute electric and diesel vehicles in Kenya. This is a big step in Simba Corp’s journey to grow its share in the e-mobility and automotive market as demand for cleaner, greener transport solutions picks up.
First MG EV Units Arrive in Kenya
As part of the new deal, Simba Corp has already delivered 25 MG electric vehicles (EVs) to Kenya Power, comprising two flagship models: MG4 and MG ZS. These vehicles retail between Sh5.4 million and Sh6.4 million and are the first batch under the agreement.
This comes after Simba Corp delivered eight Mahindra XUV400 electric SUVs earlier this year to Kenya Power.
MG Enters Kenya’s EV Market
MG is a heritage British carmaker now owned by SAIC Motor, a major Chinese state-owned manufacturer. While MG is famous for its sports cars, it has evolved into a modern automotive brand producing hybrid and fully electric vehicles for urban and commercial use.
This partnership gives Simba Corp exclusive access to MG’s growing range of vehicles, especially in the electric and commercial vehicle segments that will shape Kenya’s transportation landscape in the next few years.
Simba Corp to Offer Full Range of MG Passenger Vehicles
According to Simba Corp Group MD Naresh Leekha, the company plans to bring in all MG passenger vehicles to the Kenyan market. Speaking at the Autopromotec Fair in Bologna, Italy, Leekha said this partnership will help the company tap into the fast growing electric mobility in Kenya.
“MG has also committed to launch electric commercial vehicles through us,” said Leekha. “With multiple brands under our umbrella, we can now offer more EVs to the Kenyan customer.”
Kenya Power Invests in EV Charging
Simba Corp’s partnership with Kenya Power is key to the EV roll out in Kenya. The utility has committed Sh258 million over the next three years for EVs and charging infrastructure. A charging station at Parklands headquarters is already up and running and Kenya Power is interested in more electric fleet.
Earlier Simba Corp supplied two Mahindra EVs to Kenya Power at Sh9 million each as the government pushes for cleaner transport.
EV Affordability Hinges on Battery Costs
While EVs are gaining traction globally, price is a major concern for Kenyan consumers. Mr. Leekha said the battery is the biggest cost of an EV.
“Battery costs are coming down and that’s bringing down the price of EVs. We’ll see EVs become cheaper than petrol or diesel cars.”
Despite the progress, EVs in Kenya are still more expensive than equivalent fossil fuel cars. That gap is narrowing but still a barrier to large scale adoption especially for price sensitive buyers.
Local Assembly to Reduce Costs Further
To address the pricing challenge, Simba Corp is now exploring local assembly. By assembling EVs locally, the company hopes to reduce retail prices, create jobs and make green vehicles more accessible to the average Kenyan.
This also aligns with Kenya’s broader industrialization and environmental goals including reducing carbon emissions and reducing fuel import dependency.
The Future of Mobility: Sustainability, AI and Connectivity
The Autopromotec Fair where Simba Corp’s partnership was announced focused on the future of mobility showcasing innovations in sustainability, artificial intelligence and vehicle connectivity. The event brought together global leaders in the automotive space with discussions on digital diagnostics, sensor technology and EV repair solutions.