Another South African retailer enters the African market
Within three years of its establishment in South Africa, national motorcycle retailer VUKA SCUTA continues to revolutionise the transport industry and is now set to capture a greater share of the African market. The expansion into the African continent beyond South Africa was launched when Vuka Africa opened its first outlet in Maputo, Mozambique in June 2009.
Vuka is already South Africa’s leading motorcycle and scooter brand with an extensive network of stores and service centres throughout the country and its success has largely been built on its offering of an affordable, quality range of products developed in Africa for African conditions.
According to Tinus Lamprecht, managing director of Vuka Africa, the African continent represents
a large potential market for Vuka’s range of reliable and affordable motorcycles and scooters. “In the current economic climate, we feel that it is essential to develop and establish potential new markets to enable Vuka to continue its growth and to broaden our brand footprint. Although each African country presents its own challenges and requirements, we are confident that we have the necessary experience and products to tackle these markets successfully,” mentions Lamprecht.
“Vuka Maputo is operating in partnership with a Mozambique business partner who has established business networks and contacts in the Mozambican market. The initial demand for our products is predominantly from government departments, non-government organisations and the agricultural industry. Due to the high fuel prices, increasingly congested Maputo
roads and long commutes in Mozambique, this is the ideal African launch market for Vuka,” states Lamprecht.
Negotiations are already well underway in Angola, Kenya, the DRC and Nigeria. Enquiries from neighbouring Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho and Zimbabwe are also under investigation and VUKA welcomes further enquiries from potential distributors in these markets.
Vuka Scuta has built its reputation on reliability, affordability and fuel efficiency by delivering products which are technically of high quality and customised specifically for South African and African road
conditions. Exciting new Vuka models, like the VUKA RT 125, have been developed and tested over the past few months, with the African launch in mind.
According to Vuka technical director, Tony Cundill, “we have taken some basic proven products and re-engineered them to suit specific market, fuel and road conditions. VUKA has the knowhow and capacity to bring product solutions to market that can overhaul the industry in each African country it chooses to enter”.
The VUKA RT 125 is very robust and has no fewer than three carrier platforms for transporting goods. Its longer seat is ideally suited for passenger transportation and it is ideally suited for off-road use as well. “We have been inundated with enquiries from African countries for this product,” says Lamprecht.
Vuka is looking for country distribution partners in African countries
(outside of South Africa) who can assist in establishing viable distribution channels in such countries. Potential distribution partners should have:
• An established business presence in a specific country or territory and proven business success in marketing products and services to the public, NGOs and government
• Access to the necessary capital to pay for stocking order and trading stock.
• Access to suitable warehousing and retail premises within the territory/country
• In-depth knowledge of the legal requirements of the country to import, distribute and retail motorcycles and/or scooters
• A proven track record in distribution and access to logistic service providers to distribute the product within the country effectively.
• Be a resident / citizen of that country
Vuka will, in turn, provide to following:
Product
• Provide Vuka™ branded motorcycles and scooters as developed
• Provide parts and accessories for the exclusive distribution in an agreed territory
Brand / Marketing
• Allow the controlled use of the Vuka™ brand on all outlets, correspondence and vehicles used within the country.
• Provide assistance in designing artwork for print media and/or electronic advertising
• Assist with design of marketing material and planning of activities and promotions.
Training
Product knowledge is vital throughout the sales cycle. Vuka would:
• Assist to establish a small assembly plant and provide training to technical staff on all aspects of assembly.
• Provide detailed technical “Build Sheets” per product
• Ensure that key technicians are trained, in assembly techniques and servicing
aspects of all models, at one of the main Vuka assembly plants in either Cape Town or at Chloorkop in Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Give sales training to management and store personnel on the complete range of Vuka products, parts and accessories and merchandising.
• Assist to create a core competency in the technical and services abilities.
Any enquiries can be directed to: info@tradeinvestafrica.com
