Victoria Motors Limited is seeking to persuade Ugandan motorists to consider brand-new vehicles over used imports, offering a 5% discount on Mitsubishi Triton pickups during a four-day exhibition in Kampala.
The authorised Mitsubishi distributor is showcasing the Triton, Outlander and Destinator at the Kampala Marriott Hotel from October 8 to 11, with customers who place orders for the Triton during the exhibition eligible for a discount of about $2,700.
The Triton is priced at $54,000, inclusive of a service plan covering 50,000 kilometres or two years, whichever comes first.
Emmanuel Muyunga, Assistant General Manager, Lease at Victoria Motors, said the campaign was aimed at changing perceptions that new vehicles are beyond the reach of many Ugandan buyers.
“Many people are so hell-bent to drive grey market vehicles, they think brand new is expensive but we’re here to show you that brand new is not expensive,” Muyunga said.
He said customers could purchase vehicles outright, finance them or access operating lease arrangements depending on their needs.
Victoria Motors has partnered with I&M Bank, Centenary Bank and Stanbic Bank to provide financing options of up to five years. Muyunga said the Triton could be financed at approximately Shs4.4 million per month under the payment plans being promoted.
The company is also offering operating leases, with maintenance included in fixed monthly payments, to corporates, NGOs, oil and gas operators, mining companies and government agencies.
Muyunga said the Triton being promoted in Uganda is powered by a 2.4-litre diesel engine, which the company has prioritised for the local market because of its fuel consumption, affordability and maintenance considerations.
“The 2.4 compared to the 2.8 which you had previously has a lower consumption rate,” he said.
He said manufacturers were reducing engine sizes while increasing power output to meet changing market demand.
“The smaller engines that we have today have a better consumption rate which in turn translates to lower maintenance costs to the side of the customer,” Muyunga said.
The Triton has an urban and highway fuel consumption rate of approximately 14 kilometres per litre, according to the company.
Muyunga said the vehicle was also designed for relatively easy maintenance when properly handled and serviced with genuine parts.
“Mitsubishi is among the top brands that have very easy maintenance, as long as you treat it right, give it the right parts, genuine parts which we do have,” he said.
Victoria Motors provides a warranty of up to 10 years or 180,000 kilometres, Muyunga said, while cautioning that vehicle handling and use could affect mechanical performance.
“Denial comes with abuse, if the vehicle is abused, for example you drive it out today and then you say the clutch is blown tomorrow, that’s about usage, that’s about handling,” he said.
The company is also warning motorists about the importance of using high-quality fuel in modern diesel vehicles.
Midraj Koire, Sales Executive at Victoria Motors, said the vehicles require premium-quality fuel and that using poor or contaminated fuel could eventually damage engine components.
“These vehicles are meant to take the very premium quality of fuel,” Koire said.
He cited Shell, Total and Stabex among fuel providers that the company considers to have high-standard fuel.
Koire said poor-quality fuel could cause problems with diesel nozzles and pumps and eventually lead to major repairs.
“All the vehicles on the market, Mitsubishi and the rest, you use bad fuel then you have problems with diesel, with the diesel nozzles and pumps and ETC,” he said.
The officials also acknowledged the growing shift towards electric vehicles but said Uganda’s charging infrastructure remains a challenge, particularly for commercial pickups that operate across the country.
Muyunga said Victoria Motors was working towards the transition but that current infrastructure was not yet adequate for the company’s flagship pickup.
“This campaign is about a diesel engine, a two-ton engine. I appreciate the fact that we are all looking towards green, green energy, but I’ll go out on a limb and say our infrastructure is not yet there,” he said.
He said the manufacturer had also improved vehicle emissions technology, with newer models moving beyond the Euro 3 emission level.
The exhibition also features the seven-seater Mitsubishi Outlander and the Destinator, the newest addition to Mitsubishi’s SUV range. Muyunga said the Destinator was expected to begin appearing on Ugandan roads within weeks.
The exhibition runs through October 11, with test drives and technical walkarounds available to visitors. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
