New contender
Indian automaker, Force Motors, is set to release a lineup of new vehicles in South Africa. The lineup will consist of a hardy 4x4, midi-bus, panelvan and pick-up. ETG Logistics has been announced as the official distributor of these rough and ready vehicles that have benefitted from years of use in the heartland of India.
ETG logistics announced the partnership and the comprehensive product portfolio planned including the Gurkha 4x4 off-roader, Traveller midi-bus, panel van/ambulance, and Kargo King pick-up range. While the Gurkha is aimed at serious off-roading enthusiasts who require the use of independently controlled differential locks to get out of tricky situations, the Traveller midi-bus is expected to be popular with mini- and midi-bus taxi operators who are looking for affordable people mover solutions.
Who is Force Motors?
Although many may not have heard of Force Motors before, in India, the company has a solid reputation for modern and dependable technology, in part due to its technological cooperation with brands like Mercedes-Benz. Force Motors is a fully integrated automobile company with expertise in the design, development, and manufacture of the full range of automotive components, aggregates, vehicles, and agricultural tractors.
Builder
A pioneer in the field of light commercial vehicles, Force Motors introduced iconic brands like the Tempo, Matador and Minidor. The flagship product Traveller is a market leader in the 9 to 26-seater van category. The rugged and reliable Trax is the most preferred people mover in rural India. Its Sanman, Balwan, and OX range of agricultural tractors offer the latest technology enabling Indian farmers to maximize productivity in their farms.
Since 1997, when Daimler AG took the decision to manufacture Mercedes cars in India, the engines fitted on their cars made in India are produced at Force Motors. To date, Force Motors has supplied over 143,000 engines and 128,000 axles to Mercedes Benz India.
Related: Ashok Leyland returns to South Africa
Shared ideas
In 2015, BMW assigned Force Motors to produce and test the engines for all cars and SUVs to be made in India. A state-of-the-art factory has been built to the exacting standards of BMW by Force Motors in Chennai close to their factory. Force Motors has supplied over 66,000 engines to BMW. In March 2018, Force Motors has entered into a joint-venture agreement with Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG to manufacture in India and supply worldwide, the 10 and 12cylinder, MTU Series 1600 engines (545hp to 1050hp) for power generation and under-floor rail applications.
Distribution
ETG Logistics operates an established automotive and farm equipment distribution business in South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, and Kenya with plans to further increase their footprint in East and Southern Africa, amongst other regions. The brands represented include TVS Motor Company, TGB, Ashok Leyland, Force Motors, Belarus Minsk Tractors, VST and Shaktiman.
Homologation of these vehicles for the South African market is currently underway and the first vehicles on South African roads can be expected during the first quarter of 2023.
