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Daniel Nemukuyu Senior Reporter
Willowvale Mazda Motor Industries (WMMI) managing director Engineer Dawson Mareya has said the Zimbabwean car industry has capacity to assemble a wide range of vehicles for all sectors of the economy, but implored Government to come up with clear regulations guaranteeing the market for the products.

Eng Mareya’s submissions came after Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa, presented his Mid-Term Policy Review statement in which he stated that Government departments and parastatals would all buy vehicles from the local assembly plants in line with a directive from the Office of the President and Cabinet issued in 2011.

There are two motor assemblers in Zimbabwe, WMMI in Harare and Quest Motors Corporation in Mutare.

In an interview on Friday, Eng Mareya said once there was a concrete and clear policy awarding them the contracts to supply vehicles for Government and parastatals, WMMI would engage foreign investors to ensure the local assembly of a variety of vehicle types affordable to Zimbabweans.

He said many investors were willing to partner local car assemblers.

Eng Mareya said WMMI and Quest Motors had the capacity to assemble up to 18 000 vehicles a year against the prevailing local market demand of 5 000 new vehicles a year.

“WMMI and Quest Motors used to assemble a combined 18 000 cars annually when we had a good market. We did that in the 1980s and 1990s and we can still do the same provided there is a clear policy and regulations promoting the market for locally assembled vehicles. We need a clear and long-term policy in order to attract companies like Toyota, VW, Isuzu and others to partner us.

“Investors can only be brought by a clear policy on the market of the products and we will then be able to provide a variety of vehicles for all people in this country,” said Eng Mareya.

Mr Adam Katarik, Quest Motors managing director was not answering his phone yesterday. Hurungwe West legislator Cde Temba Mliswa yesterday lauded Government for promising to give local car assemblers business, while Gokwe-Nembuya legislator Cde Justice Mayor Wadyajena, said there was need to first revamp management and change work ethics at WMMI.

Said Cde Mliswa: “The Government decision is certainly a welcome move, but we urge the minister to walk the talk. However, the minister did not explain how Government officials are going to cut on their luxurious spending. The cars they are using are high value and high maintenance vehicles, yet they depreciate so fast. He did not tell the country how they are going to deal with that.

“Our fear is the high taxation announced and savings on using local vehicles by Government departments will end up paying for these luxurious items. Until I see Minister Chinamasa driving a locally assembled vehicle, I will not believe in what he is saying,” he said.

Cde Wadyajena said while it was a noble policy to encourage the use of locally made vehicles, there was need to address perennial problems faced by WMMI.