Ethipia's First Car... No Joke

[datzburier]

Lo Ji Hoon Karo Gul.. Now talk... See.. Now even ETHIOPIA.. has its own national car now

Pakistanis who were making fun of Pakistan's first car REVO.. should take a dip in Dirty Pond of water and when they come out of dirty water, slap themselves twice on the face.

We should be ashamed of ourselves.. an African country with Famine and no food to eat has made a Car of its own.. And the PRIDE of Asia.. LoL...... Pakistan still has Sitara cart as our only National Car so far..

Name of Ethipan car is funny though. Abay...
Like in Abay O' Uloo... LoL
and sells for about 9.6 Lac rupees.

Sorry did not have a pic in the article. Go search it on Google.. and post it if you find it.

The article is originally from Dawn..

http://www.dawn.com/2007/10/20/ebr23.htm

ADDIS ABABA, Oct 19: Ethiopia has unveiled its first locally-assembled saloon car -- with parts imported from China -- two years after it rolled out a plant. The car named Abay -- Amharic for the Blue Nile -- was launched on Thursday by the joint Ethiopia-Dutch firm, Holland Car Plc, an industry official said.

“We are bringing new technology to the country, offering customers to buy new cars instead of older and more expensive ones from Europe,” Tadesse Tessema, co-founder the company, told AFP.

The four-cylinder Abay with five-speed manual transmission will cost $16,000. It also offers Anti-lock Braking System and available in five different colours. The firm imports parts from China.—AFP

[portage1]

yaar bhai where was you @tash15 was here, we called you left a message with your Mom, you never got hold of us, and cmnder saab wanted to meet you, he was very upset you never called, he was with me for 4 days...

[bluntknife]

@datzburier
Any engineering based industry in its nascent stages needs support at different levels
1)Technological(in this case read technology transfer)
eg malaysia developed proton in collaboration with mitsu
2)Supportive policies from the government (50% of the price of an automobile goes in taxes)
3)Patronization by the local population.

The only indigenous mass produced car (adam revo) should not have been taxed on the same structure as the other local automakers there by decreasing its delivered price to the customer. Competitive pricing would have allowed more people to make the purchase . Technology, had it been sought from a japanese automaker would have resulted in increased confidence in customers and increase in patronization.

[datzburier]

@portage waala bhai..

Yeah, I know, I talked to commander bhai, he's a nice person.

@bluntknife.

Point taken. Yes, there should be a strong tech. partner. But in the Case of Japanese they are NOT trustworthy. They will never transfer any technology, they are not stupid. Once they can not use something, i.e. the current drive train system, gasoline based internal combustion engine, with the advancement of technologies, i.e. introduction of Hybrid Drive-train and/or Hydrogen fuel cell cars,they will conveniently DUMP their outdated drivetrain technology, i.e. Transfer internal combustion engine and manual gear box technolgy to 3rd world countries like Pakistan that they consider Garbage Dumpsters for their out of date technologies...

Their attitude Specially towards Pakistan has been of avoidance and neglect at best. They have hooked us on Old and outdated garbage that no one in the world buys and our people buy them like hot cakes.. Mehran being prime example. This is WELL PLANNED by them. They will never transfer anything that will threaten their own exports to 3rd world nations.

India took smart approach, they developed all the CORE technologies themselves, and relied less on foreign partner only as SECONDARY support. Maruti Udyog, started to design 800cc (Mehran), in India in early 1990s,

I've seen an Indian 800cc, in Islamabad, in early 1990s, with their own designed Grill, headlights, taillights. At that time, India was learning how to design on its own. They have been making that 800cc car 100% in India for more than a decade now, and guess what, Suzuki set their plant (albeit outdated technology in India's case too), few years after they put the auto assembly plant at Bin Qasim area, Karachi in 1983. Now 25 Years later, we still Can not design a single component of that 800cc car. Its mainly due to our own people's lack of commitment, but also largely, LACK of serious committment on Suzuki and its Japanese Management as well. They DID it intentionally. Again, they did not want to loose a market and make a POTENTIAL competitor that could then export Suzukis made fully in Pakistan to other countries in the Middle East and Africa, which has a growing autombile market.

[portage1]

Yeah, I know, I talked to commander bhai, he's a nice person.

when ??

[datzburier]

Portage Waala Bhai,

when he was here few weeks back, he left his cell#. I called him back. At that time he was in Maryland. I had some commitments on the weekend, otherwise would have loved to meet the nice gentleman.

[bluntknife]

@datzburier
You cant blame the japanese for that bhai. Theres a flaw in the basic design we approach automobile maunfacturig here in pakistan. The assumption is you give enough protection to the local maunfacturers ie complete immunity from new imports and they'll start making CBU's in pakistan. That is not technology transfer. Proton is a good example of how technology transfer can and should take place, IMO better than maruti.

[datzburier]

Here is some more info I was able to dig out..

The website

http://www.holland-car.com/aboutus.html

History

Beginning 2005 Trento and Ethio-Holland decided to cooperate in a project, with the objective to build a car-factory in Ethiopia, to assemble cars and to sell those for local- and export-markets. This initiative was coming from Ethio-Holland that had experience with importing second hand vehicles (Lada’s) from Holland to Ethiopia. Reduced availability of these vehicles created the need to search for an alternative.

The alternative we found was to produce locally an existing vehicle that was perfectly fitting the African market demands. This first vehicle-model is called DOCC (Dutch Overseas Car Company) and is from originTofas Sahin. This vehicle has been build since the seventies and in the last years by Tofas, a Turkish automotive car producer. Holland Car is has bout parts from Tofas to ship those to Djibouti and thereafter to Modjo by road-transport. Our second model is ABAY. This modern product is very well specified and will be attractive to young buyers.Two main drivers did help us to decide for this direction. Firstly, the Dutch government, contributed with a PSOM-subsidy which reduced the start up costs significantly. Secondly, Ethiopia has a good investment climate. It allows for example a lower import tax rate for raw materials than for finished products.

Mid 2005 the building activities had started. Mid 2006 the factory, including production equipment was ready to start production and after training of the local employees, the first car was build. In this period, about 80 to100 Ethiopian people were active to build this factory.

[datzburier]

My God...

This is a beauty..

For a 9.6 Lakh Rupees..

Its a joint venture with Holland based company that will source some parts from CHINA..

Here is picture I was able to search..

Abay Car of Ethipia... We should really be ASHAMED of ourselves..

[datzburier]

Goodness.....

So This is really true...

An AFRICAN COUNTRY... Can you believe it.. has gotten ahead of us.. That means we are BEHIND Africa.. in terms of Industrial Development..

This should be a day of Mourning and Contemplation for all of Pakistan, as to where we are headed..

No Where but backwards..

And we got started on this Car assembly craze when even South Korea was new in auto assembly business back in the 1960s....Back then we were assembling American Dodge Darts, and some other car... But look at us now..

We are Behind EVEN Africa..

This is the original news from an authentic Ethiopian Website..

God Help us..

http://www.ena.gov.et/EnglishNews/2007/Oct/19Oct07/40507.htm

Addis Ababa, October 19, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - Holland Car, the first automobile assembly in Ethiopia, launched on Thursday the new automobile called ‘Abay’ in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The launching ceremony was held in Addis Ababa at the presence of senior government officials, the diplomatic corps, and invite guests.

The owner and operation manager of the company, Eng. Taddesse Tessema told journalists that the car, which is up to the standard of the current vehicles, costs 140,000 Birr.

The factory plans to produce 270 automobiles until Dec. 2007, he said, adding the factory envisages producing 1,000 cars during the next Ethiopian budget year.

The new car, which is assembled jointly with Lifan Industry (group), Chinese Company, would have a speed of 155 k/h, he said.

The demand of cars in Ethiopia is huge, he said, adding the Ethiopian investment Agency is providing support to the factory.

Taddesse said the factory also plans to manufacture small loading pickups, minibus, and other vehicles with a capital of some 50 million Birr.

The factory in collaboration with the Holland government has already been manufacturing ‘DOCC’ automobiles since the last two years.

[datzburier]

China is definately the COUNTRY to be friends with..

And they are our MuuN Boltay Doast.. (Mouth talking friends)... LoL ... Pakistani way of saying "Our best Friends.."

So.. If the Chinese are helping Ethiopia.. THEY will most certainly help Pakistan... InshAllah..

But its all about Attitude.. We need to change our attitude.

Chinese are really a good ally of ours. They always come back, and helped us in many projects thru out the past century. Take for instance, the Tarbella Hydro Electric Dams, one of the largest Earth Filled dams in the World, was made possible with technological assistance from China in the 1960s.

Then the Kamra Aeronautical Complex that makes our Mushak Trainer Airplanes and rebuilds F6 Fighter planes and now the new state of the art JF17, fighter jet, will be made at KAC. By help from China.

The Khushab / Chashma Nuclear Power Plant, built with Chinese assistance. Its second phase will be made by Pakistani Scientists with Chinese supervision.

The first Pak Car, was not Made by Japanese Collaboration, Japanese will never do that favor to Pakistan.. They are Capitalist Confuscists to the CORE.. Friendship means nothing to the Japanese only MONEY is their friend... Nothing else...

China on the other hand is much more a Friend at HUMAN level... Yes they are also interested in Money making, but they are already making Big Money while Trading with the West.

They are NOT looking at exploiting 3rd world countries like West and Japan/Korea have been doing. Mainly because, China itself is in transition phase, its still a 3rd world nation, but very rapidly developing....so they know how its like to be a citizen of the 3rd world, and the aspirations of a typical 3rd world citizen.

So..

Long Live Pak-China Friendship.

If there is any hope / light at the End of Tunnel, for a Pakistani Car, then it will be from the Headlights made by Pakistani/Chinese Joint venture Car... Hopefully..

LoL

I will gladly be in that tunnel with Pakistan Made Car..

[anonpak]

Abay Datz! Ever since the Revo rightfully failed, you've had an axe to grind. Let it go. Pakistan doesnt need a national car, and nor should you hold the whole world in contempt for it.

Not only are you comparing a developing auto sector (in Pakistan) with an auto sector in its basic infancy (in Ethiopia) but you're spewing rhetoric against Pakistan. So what if the Ethiopians are building their first car in 2007? It's about time.

• 1. Ethiopia does not have "its own national car". This car is financed by the Dutch, based on the Chinese Lifan and has parts imported from China. There's not an ounce of Ethiopian science in this car. Ethiopians will only assemble it.
• 2. Ethiopia is not ahead of Pakistan when it comes to the automotive industry. Ethiopia is making a car for the first time. Pakistan has been making cars for decades. Who's ahead of who?

Lets get the facts straight: All this is, is Ethiopia's foray into the automotive industry. This is not Ethiopia's national car. This does not mean Ethiopia is ahead of Pakistan. All it means, is that Ethiopia has inaugurated it's first car assembly plant. Big whoopdie doo, someone decided to invest in Ethiopia. Yay. Sense the sarcasm?

Pakistan should not be ashamed of itself. Instead, you should be ashamed of yourself for not only blowing this news out of proportion but insulting Pakistan in the process.

[datzburier]

@ the misinformed person Above..

Abay, is the name of the Ethippian Car.. so, I don't take it as an offense... It only shows your level of mentality...

You have no idea what you are talking about. And obviously, will never get the point.

Its a known fact that Pakistan has been TRYING to build a car of its own for the last 40 years or so, but we have not succeeded. One of the main reason are the people, which don't give any consideration or value to the home made products, which will ultimately raise their standard of living.

All this talk about Pakistan's need for making home made products will not Benefit me at all.

I am already in a country which has already been industrialized centuries ago, and has entered/pioneered Nano-Technology Era (something that is 1000 Years into the future for Pakistan....) with full speed leading the whole world.

But reading your remarks like that is really pathetic, that only put down another person for only trying to tell what is wrong there... Go figure. Now you will tell me you don't need to tell us.

whatever.. I don't care.. Its people like you (and the suicide bombers) that put off the rest of the world from ever comming to Pakistan and giving/investing anything there.

[rkhnsh]

wEll COngRATs to eThOpIa

[datzburier]

Africa is on upward trajectory. Definately good for them. I feel glad for them and best of luck. The whole world is developing fast. India, China are the leaders of the 3rd world in terms of Technological Race. Malaysia a Muslim country has also made great strides. Dubai, albeit with its Petro Wealth, is also emerging on the world map as the progressive modern nation with world's tallest building, and soon to have Biggest Amusement Park, infact bigger than Disney World, in Florida.

And Then there is new news from Nigeria, a physics student that has built a helicopter with just used auto and motorbike parts, that another PLUS for Africa.

Soon, we will hear that Bangladesh has built its own Car... Another plus for them. Infact India is in negotiation with their government to set up an automobile manufacturing plant.

But what about Pakistan ..

Only the Mafia of Suzuki/Honda/Toyota, which controls the Governments policies will keep Pakistan Back.. They will keep charging Double for the poorly built poor assembled cars, which lack all the basic technologies like Airbags, seatbelts, Anti-brakes, A/C, etc. which come standard with Most cars in all of the rest of the countries now, specially at HALF the price they are sold in Pakistan.

[c123pk]

I remember one African character in a video game, his name was "Abobo"

[DesiBoy]

@datz,

Indian auto companies are eager to enter Pakistan, its just that they aren't getting approval from Pak govt.

[c123pk]

@datz,

That car has not only "some" but "Most" of its parts imported from China. Datz bhai this car is a joint venture of Holland and China, Uncle Kofi Annan wanted that agreement to take place in Ethiopia or Sudan, he also urged both the countries to showcase their first piece in Uganda or Congo, but that company only agreed to send a single piece to Ethiopia.

[DesiBoy]

@all

I think Indian auto companes can offer more than the Chinese. both Indians and Pakistanis are the same people with similar needs and requirements.

Indian auto companes have made cars keeping the Indian consumer in mind and this is the reason why they have been so successful in India.

Indian auto companies should be allowed to set up business in Pakistan.

[aamirk79]

Talking about Bangladesh..........

Bangladeshi develops Humanoid Robot from Scrap

DHAKA (Reuters) - Move over Japan? A Bangladeshi graduate student is developing a robot capable of picking up objects, mopping floors and performing other simple tasks -- at the fraction of the cost of other humanoids.

Feroz Ahmed Siddiky of the International Islamic University in Chittagong says his "IRobo" responds to voice commands, has spatial intelligence and is cheap because it's made from scrap materials he's collected from electronic shops and car mechanics.

"On completion, this robot will comply with different verbal commands for tasks like shifting objects, cleaning floors and standing guard," Siddiky told Reuters.

"It can also be used for some risky jobs like in coal mines, where workers commonly suffer many accidents."

Siddiky has been working on the robot for two years and says he has got another year's worth of engineering to do before its completed. He said he is currently discussing commercial production of the robot with an Australian software firm.

"I hope people will be able to buy it for less than $1,000," he added.

Cyber-crazy Japan is hooked on androids with several companies selling robots that mimic human action for medical and cleaning purposes, as well as entertainment.
© Copyright 2007 Reuters.

http://www.i4u.com/article12008.html