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Kiira Motors, Uganda's automotive startup, is expanding its range of offerings to the market as it spans domestic motor vehicle manufacturing and assembly. On February 17, another bus model, the Kayoola Diesel Bus (KDC), will be launched to complement the Kayoola EVS, which operates exclusively on electricity.

Powered by a Cummins conventional diesel engine, the Kayoola KDC is designed to bridge the gap between the Kayoola EVS, which is primarily suited for urban commuter services, and the needs of long-distance operators.

The Kayoola EVS can run for 300 kilometres on a single charge, making it ideal for urban operations, while the Kayoola KDC has an endurance of 2,200 kilometres on a single 500-litre fuel tank.

According to Kiira Motors Chief Executive Paul Isaac Musasizi, although customers will have a choice between electric and diesel versions of the KDC, this particular model is aimed at the tourism market where buses will be used to reach remote locations that may not have a charging infrastructure.

The KDC—which will soon begin its own market validation tests—is one of the models that will be built at the company's 5,000-vehicle-a-year initial assembly facility in Jinja. Civil works at the facility, initially planned for handover at the end of June, have been completed by 70%.

Configured as a luxury interior featuring 47 reclining leather seats, lavatory, WiFi on-board and CCTV cameras, it is one of the six prototypes the company has built through China Hi Tech Corporation (CTHC), which is participating in the programme as a technology transfer partner. The KDC complies with the EURO 111 emission standards.

Kiira Motors initially planned to adopt Euro 1V standards, but was forced to move back to the previous standard due to concerns that East Africa may not be able to supply the kind of fuel needed to power such engines.

News of the imminent unveiling of another bus has re-launched a debate as to whether Kiira Motors is actually manufacturing or simply assembling buses.

According to Mr. Musasizi, Kiira Motors designs and integrates all the systems in the vehicles it is building. Most of the vehicle components are contract-produced for Kiira Motors until the domestic and regional automotive supply chain achieves technical capacity and economies of scale to justify the domestication of those functions.

The company has designed a roadmap for the domestication of the supply chain, starting with what can be achieved locally.

Posted on : 26 Dec,2024 | News Source : www.afatmtnz.com