By JAMES MUYANWA –

ALLIANCE Motors Jaguar Land Rover will establish a state-of-the-art-dealer facility in Lusaka’s Munali area at the cost of US$4 million.
The facility, which is expected to open in January 2016, will offer a vehicle sales showroom, service and parts as well as other modern effects to the Zambian market.
Company general manager, Andre Bonthuys said the new investment was projected to help increase the current workforce of 31 to more than 50 and raise the annual motor vehicle sales to 120.
He said the firm, which is the authorised distributor of Jaguar and Land Rover motor vehicles in the country, was excited about the local economy which he said offered a lot of opportunities.
Mr Bonthuys said this in an interview after the company unveiled its latest model in the Land Rover range of vehicles – the all-new Land Rover Discovery Sport – in Lusaka on Friday evening.
“We are entering an all-new season in Zambia. A season that will be remembered in the years to come as we build an all-new $4 million state-of-the-art-dealer facility in the Munali area!
“The facility will offer state-of-the-art-vehicle sales showroom, service and parts to the Zambian market. All indications are that we will be opening in January 2016,” he said.
Mr Bonthuys said the investment was a confirmation of the mother company, Tata International’s belief in the two iconic British brands, Land Rover as well as Jaguar, and the need to ensure Zambia had the best range of vehicles.
He paid tribute to Jaguar Land Rover sub-Sahara Africa (JLRSSA) for use of the franchise which started in 2013.
JLRSS operations director, Nigel Clarke said the Zambian market would continue attracting world-class range of motor vehicles because of its economic development.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister, Yamfwa Mukanga said that the Government believed that mobility drove progress.
He said that mobility gave people a sense of freedom and brought growth, employment and prosperity to the country.
“…this is why the Patriotic Front Government is committed to building better infrastructure and providing a conducive environment in which the private sector can flourish and grow their business.
“It is because of the Government’s steady and consistent economic policy that we have continued to have stable macro-economic indicators, thereby attracting foreign investments into our country,” Mr Mukanga said.