Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

It seems to be "conventional wisdom" that Toyota has vastly superior official coverage of Africa compared to other manufacturers, but we also know that common sense is not that common and conventional wisdom can sometimes be quite foolish .

When the topic of Toyota's coverage relative to the rest recently raised its head again (elsewhere), I decided to see what I could find. Here are some results that might be of interest to the members here:


Toyota

http://www.toyota-africa.com/

You will notice that countries not covered include Western Sahara, Algeria, Libya, Gabon, Namibia and Botswana.

Toyota's "official" coverage of Africa as a percentage of countries is about 87%



Mitsubishi Motors

Mitsubishi Motors has coverage in around 83% of African countries, including Algeria and Libya (http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/).



Nissan:

http://www.nissanafrica.com/en/web/head ... r_1861.htm

Nissan does not cover Western Sahara, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Togo, Namibia and Botswana).

Nissan's "official" coverage of Africa as a percentage of countries is about 75%



Land Rover

Land Rover seems to have about 69% "official" coverage in Africa (http://www.landrover.com/gl/en/lr/marke ... ion=africa).




So it is clear that Toyota covers more countries than the others investigated, but the difference is not as great as many seem to believe. Also, the importance of the specific areas covered or not covered by the one or the other manufacturer obviously depends on where you intend going.

By the way, the reason why Nissan and Toyota both have no information on coverage for Namibia/Botswana is because these regions are supported directly by dealers that fall under the Nissan/Toyota South Africa regions. The same applies to Lesotho and Swaziland.

Of course the info above says nothing about the quality of support on offer, regardless which manufacturer...

Interesting observation Gerrit... but I think the kicker is in your last statement ie. "quality of support".

It is all well and good that Brand X might have official representation in Timbuktu, but what does that representation mean? In addition, Brand X might have 10000 vehicles in a particular country and Brand Y only 100.

On argument amuses me because of the logic is that everyone knows how to work on Brand Z and spares are always available... Does this tell me Brand Z is always breaking down and therefore people MUST know how to work on them? I know I am stretching the point a bit but it does make me think.

I agree, Simon. These coverage figures are easy to come by, but to get a true picture will be rather more difficult.

Still, it was quite interesting to see what the coverage figures are, because it is often made out as if you have almost zero chance of getting spares north of SA unless you drive a Toyota.

The actual vehicle model also plays a role: If you drive the latest all singing, all dancing top of the line model that does not share an engine/transmission with the more mundane (bakkie?) versions sold in a far flung country and which is still too new to have made its way there in any numbers as a Jap import, you probably are going to find the official local presence rather less than stupendously helpful . Again, this applies accross brands.

If I am allowed to give my 50 cents. I currently work in the following countries. Moz, Zim, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Eritrea, Sudan, Ghana, Mali, Seralione, Bamako and Madagascar.
I have seen Pajero`s and Colts and service stations in every country.
BUT...In December I did a Trip to Zambia Caprivi, Kunene River, Van Zyls and down to Swakopmund. On my return 130 km from Swakop I lost my left front wheel bearing. I could not get a Wheelbearing in the Namibia. Believe me we phoned from Rundu in the north too Keetmanshoop even Upington. NO JOY. I had to phone a friend in PTA to buy one for me and put it on the plane to Windhoek. Luckly I know the big boss at Namibia Air and the wheelbearing got a lift in the cockpit with the pilot. (Free ride)
After three days camping on the side of the road we were on our way again.
The sad thing for me was the bad responces I got from each and every guy I phoned in Namibia. Even when I asked if they could not fly one in for me, the responce was it will take three to four days.
I poned my friend in PTA and I picked it up the same afternoon.
That is not a star for Mitsu

4x4 Outthere wrote:...
The sad thing for me was the bad responses I got from each and every guy I phoned in Namibia. Even when I asked if they could not fly one in for me, the response was it will take three to four days.
I phoned my friend in PTA and I picked it up the same afternoon.
That is not a star for Mitsu

Oh boy, and this is where many of us head from time to time. I am much more concerned with service in neighbouring countries than in "dark Africa"!

I would like to see the dealers in Namibia's commitment to jack up their act. A wheel bearing is a common part - no reason NOT to carry stock.

Anton

Realistically speaking, if you don't live in one of the bigger cities in SA you can't expect to get a Mitsu part the same or even the next day either.
Toyota, Ford and Isuzu - you have a much better chance of picking something up from a nearby town if your town (or the town you break down in) doesn't have a dealer.