Interview: Chinese cars hold promising future in Egypt: auto businessman

On Jan 29, 2024

Photo taken on June 17, 2019 shows MG vehicles in Cairo, Egypt. China’s auto industry SAIC Motor and Egypt’s largest car sales company Mansour Automotive Group signed on Monday in Cairo a joint venture agreement to manufacture MG brand cars in Egypt. (Xinhua/Li Binian)

CAIRO, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) — The future of Chinese cars in Egypt’s market is “so great” for the Egyptian auto market that now depends mainly on China, whether in cars or buses, said Khaled Geyushi, vice chairman of Egypt’s Geyushi Automotive Industry.

Geyushi told Xinhua in a recent interview “what distinguishes Chinese cars in Egypt is that their quality has greatly increased and their prices are reasonable.”

The Egyptian auto businessman said that his company has been working with several Chinese partners for seven years, including Yutong, Zhongtong and others, assembling their buses in Egypt.

A bus made by China’s Yutong, one of the world’s leading bus makers, is seen at the Smart Transportation and Logistics Fair and Forum for the Middle East and Africa (TransMEA 2020) in Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 23, 2020. (Photo by Mohamed Asad/Xinhua)

“The quality of Chinese cars is high, and their agents and service centers in the Egyptian market are strong,” said Geyushi, noting that Egyptian customers felt satisfaction with Chinese cars in recent years.

Geyushi pointed out that Chinese cars are strengthened in the Egyptian market by their partners of renowned local agents such as Mansour Automotive for MG and Abu Ghaly Motors for Geely.

“I see that the future of Chinese cars in Egypt is promising,” the Egyptian auto businessman told Xinhua.

Established in 1944, Geyushi has become one of Egypt’s leading automotive companies, with an advanced manufacturing facility in Egypt that currently produces around 5,000 buses annually, including Chinese brands.

Photo taken on Aug. 8, 2023 shows the scene of a launching ceremony of new SUV models of Jetour Auto at Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt. Jetour Auto, a Chinese auto brand, on Tuesday unveiled three new SUV models here, as Chinese automakers are accelerating their expansion in the Middle Eastern region. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

In light of the distinguished relations between Egypt and China, Geyushi recommended the establishment of an automobile industrial complex in Egypt to manufacture Chinese cars and their components and export them.

“I believe that in the coming period, Chinese cars should be locally manufactured in Egypt,” he said, explaining that the North African country has the necessary manpower and energy at low prices, as well as free trade agreements with European and African states for zero-customs exportation.

Manufacturing Chinese vehicles in Egypt will help with technology localization and employment in Egypt, he added.

Photo taken on June 17, 2019 shows a store selling MG vehicles in Cairo, Egypt. China’s auto industry SAIC Motor and Egypt’s largest car sales company Mansour Automotive Group signed on Monday in Cairo a joint venture agreement to manufacture MG brand cars in Egypt. (Xinhua/Li Binian)

A report by the Automotive Marketing Information Council (AMIC), an Egyptian council of auto businessmen, shows that China’s Chery, MG and BYD were among the top ten car brands sold in Egypt in the first 10 months of 2023.

“I recommend Chinese automobile companies in Egypt to spend more on publicity, marketing and service centers to achieve further growth,” Geyushi said.

“Generally, I believe that in the coming few years, Chinese cars will be much more popular in the Egyptian market,” He stressed. ■