The relatively uncelebrated African Automobile Industry

A car, defined as a road vehicle with four wheels and an internal combustion engine, was designed primarily for transport purposes.
Many have come to associate the production of the first automobile to the German, Karl Benz. However, François Isaac de Rivaz in 1808, was credited with designing the first car, which was powered by a hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine. Benz, however, was adjudged to have designed the first "true" automobile, in 1885/1886.
The revolution in the automobile industry has been stunning; from the veteran era and vintage era to the pre-war and post-war eras, and now the modern era. Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot's steam engine looks like a skeleton compared to the 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT4.
However, we all agree that automobiles have carried an added responsibility away from the norm; that of indicator of status.
Now, we don't just buy cars because we want to move from place to place. We get them because they make us feel good. We get rides because we want to make a statement. Little wonder luxury brands like Rolls Royce, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Ferrari and the likes leave us mouths-agape. Personally, a Ford Mustang or a Chevrolet Camaro is my dream car (a whale should touch my post)
The Chevreolet Camaro, 2018 (not so bad for a dream car)

Photo Credit

The cars we drive say a lot about us - Alexandra Paul

Photo Credit

Africa, as always, has refused to be left out of the frenzy! In this our "shithole" continent and dear nation Nigeria filled with many "huts" (our leader of the free world, Donald Trump said so), these cars have dotted our streets, as shown below.

• 

• 

• 
  

  Photo Credit

However, the obsession with foreign brands have left the African automobile industry on the brink of oblivion. Very few, if at all any, know that there are African manufacturers capable of churning out world-class cars. Our addiction to the fancy brands has been at the detriment of our local manufacturers. However, this post seeks to bring to the fore, some of Africa's finest car manufacturers.

1. Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Ltd, Nigeria (IVM).
   Founded by Chief Innoceny Chukwuma and based in Nigeria. The company seeks to discoutage importation of already assembled cars.
   

2. Kiira Motors, Uganda.
   Kiira Motors Corporation, found in Uganda, showcased the first hybrid electronics car, Kiira EV, in East Africa. The exhibition was held in Nairobi in 2014. The company plans to start production in 2018. The car, which was a project by some engineering students at the University of Makerere and has attracted an investment of $40-million.
   

3. Wallyscar, Tunisia.
   Wallyscar is based in La Marsa. The Tunisian carmaker sells roughly 600 cars per year.
   

4. Bailey Edwards Cars, South Africa.
   The brand is known for making racing cars.
   

5. Saroukh el-Jamahiriya, Libya.
   Known as the "Libyan Rocket", the stylish car was designed in 1999 for the then leader of the country, Muammar Gaddafi. It was rumoured to be one of the first cars with all four seats having airbags, as well as the ability to drive for long distances on flat tyres.
   However, it never went into full time production.
   

6. Perana Performance Group, South Africa.
   Founded in 2007 and located in Port Elizabeth, the group has turned out amazing cars including the Z-One
   

7. Laraki, Morocco.
   Owned by Abdesalm Laraki, the company was established in 1999. The Casablanca-based company makes high-performance sports cars. Examples of some models by Laraki include Epitome, Fulgura and Borac.
   The Epitome, a V8 1,750 hp, remains the only supercar made in Africa, and that is recognized officially.
   Larakis are custom-made to each customer's taste. As at 2015, they were ranked among the world's most expensive cars, (about $2 million) each.
   
   
   

All photos of African manufactured cars were gotten from

Here and Here