Mesfin Industrial Engineering, Ethiopia is planning to build Geely cars within the next five years with the Chinese company. 
The manufacturer expects to commence full blown production within the next three to five years according to Habte Hadish, General Manager of MIE.
MIE is currently assembling six cars a day but is looking to begin manufacturing cars completely within the country he said.
Mesfin Engineering registered 620 million birr in revenue in the last fiscal year and has projected to earn 1 billion birr in this financial year. The company currently assembles trucks for International Tractors Ltd, which is part of Hoshiarpur, Indian based Sonalika group.
The company also designs and produces 400 truck trailers and has the capacity to manufacture an estimated 2,000 vehicles annually according to reports.It is to be remembered that MIE launched a new vehicle model named ‘Addis’ last September. The new model which is equipped with a capacity of 1300cc is the second new line inaugurated by MIE within a year.
The new model is expected to cost the 430 thousand birr with customers paying 30% beforehand and the remaining 70% upon delivery.
MIE had assembled 32 Addis vehicles at the time of the launch and had plans to enhance its capacity to 1000 vehicles every year. The vehicles are assembled by the company from parts imported by Chinese automobile manufacturer Geely International.
Source: Bloomberg
