BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer giant, has entered the Kenyan market, launching three of its top-selling EVs, including Seal, Dolphin, and Atto 3, through a local dealer Loxea.
On Wednesday, Loxea announced its partnership with BYD at the Toyata-CFAO mobility Kenyal Limited Showroom. The deal gives Loxea the right to lease and sale of the three BYD models in the country through its expansive network.
The Atto 3 has a price tag of Kshs12 million, while the Dolphin and Seal models start at Kshs 7.5 million.
Loxea is a subsidiary of the CFAO group, an established distributor and service provider of Volkswagen, Toyota, Mercedes Benz, Hino, Yamaha, and Hyundai.
The dealer said the partnership is part of the company’s efforts to diversify its operations. Also, it announced plans to install electric charging stations for EVs.
“Diversifying into electric vehicles aligns perfectly with our mission to provide innovative, sustainable mobility solutions to businesses and individuals,” said Loxea Managing Director Jennifer Kinyoe.
“It is a testament to our commitment to delivering future-proof solutions, and we are excited to partner with BYD, a leading global electric vehicle and battery manufacturer, as we chart a new path in Kenya’s automotive industry,” she added.
What it mean for Kenya
The uptake of electric vehicles in Kenya is rapidly growing as part of the efforts to cut emissions of greenhouse gases by 32 by 2030. In 2023, the National Transport and Safety Authority registered 2,695 electric vehicles compared to 475 units in 2022.
Today, Kenya’s EV market is dominated by companies such as Kiri EV, BasiGo, Opibus, and ARC Ride. Global EV manufacturers are establishing strategic partnerships with local dealers as a strategic approach to take on new markets. In July 2024, another Chinese EV manufacturer, Chery, teamed up with a Kenyan firm to build its EVs in the country.
During the announcement of the deal, Loxea Holdings’ Managing Director Florent Montaubin said, “BYD’s presence in Kenya signifies our commitment to supporting the country’s green transition and modernizing the transportation landscape. With its strategic location and forward-thinking policies, Kenya is poised to be a regional hub for sustainable innovation.”
BYD is one of the top EV manufacturers globally. In the last quarter of 2023, Chinese EV manufacturer replaced Tesla as the world’s top EV maker.
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