Fiat Group Automobiles South Africa (Pvt) Limited is expected to increase the importation of Jeep vehicles to Zimbabwe through its licensed partner in anticipation of rising demand, chief executive officer Trent Barcroft has said.
BY TATIRA ZWINOIRA
Speaking at the launch of the new Jeep Renegade in Harare last week, Barcroft said in a normal trading cycle, Jeep sales in a month could go up to 20 units.
“This is the first shipment to Zimbabwe and they [Zimoco] have just received the first four cars. There is no limit on supply. I am sure they will be sold…and we should be sending about four or five tomorrow [Friday],” Barcroft said.
“So, obviously it has to be successful, which is why we do the research ahead before the product is finalised. We have to be sure we are touching the right market.”
Currently, the Fiat Group has shipped into the country four vehicles of the new Jeep Renegade which costs $49 950 inclusive of duty and tax and expect to raise that figure within months.
In South Africa, Fiat imported 800 units of the new Jeep Renegade which were sold out due to consumer satisfaction over the new vehicle, which is why the company is confident the car will perform in even smaller markets such as Zimbabwe.
Fiat Group estimates sales of five or six vehicles a month which will increase when it brings in a “full range of vehicles in October”.
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“I would like to say we will sell five or six per month in Zimbabwe, which I think is a reasonable number for the country,” he said.
“I think if we can do five or six a month that would be a good accomplishment and would be over and above what we currently sell with the range in place now.”
Zimoco are the authorised partners of the Fiat Group in Zimbabwe which involve selling brands such as Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge.
