Quest Motor Gears Up: Mutare to Assemble 180 Vehicles Locally

Quest Motor Manufacturing in Mutare will begin assembling 180 Chinese light commercial vehicles locally, boosting Zimbabwe’s industrial capacity and advancing Vision 2030’s manufacturing goals (image source)

Mutare — Quest Motor Manufacturing is poised to kick-start local vehicle assembly next month, marking a pivotal advance in Zimbabwe’s drive to bolster domestic industry and slash import costs. The first tranche of equipment is expected in November, enabling the factory to assemble roughly 180 units of Chinese-made light commercial vehicles over the initial production phase.

Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu unveiled the development during a site tour of Mutare’s manufacturing hub on Thursday. He inspected Quest Motor alongside Wattle Company and Mega Market, underscoring the government’s newly enforced policy requiring all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to prioritise locally produced goods.

“We have seen impressive progress in capacity utilisation across our industries,” Ndlovu said. “From next month onward, every government department will be compelled to source goods locally. This is the only way to sustain jobs and build export-ready capacity.”

Quest Motor’s general manager, Carl Fernandes, confirmed the factory will receive assembly machinery and tooling in early November. “Our Chinese partners will ship parts for the JAC T9 double-cab first, followed by the Foton Tunland V9 pickup in January 2026,” Fernandes explained. “We expect to produce about 180 vehicles over the coming months, adjusting volumes to match market demand.”

Established in 1961, Quest Motor was an early adopter of Zimbabwe’s Look East Policy, forging ties with Chinese automotive brands in 2011. “Today, Chinese vehicles have gained traction across the region,” Fernandes noted. “Local assembly will reduce lead times and strengthen supply chains for both domestic and export markets.”

Transport economist Dr. Emmanuel Ndlovu of the University of Zimbabwe says the timing aligns with global shifts toward shorter supply chains. “Local assembly cuts foreign exchange outflows on complete vehicle imports, preserves FX reserves, and accelerates industrial learning,” he said. “If procurement rules are enforced, we could see a multiplier effect on related sectors — steel, plastics, and logistics.”

Sylvia Madondo, CFO of a Victoria Falls-based tourism operator, welcomed potential cost savings. “Spare parts and service turnaround could improve dramatically if vehicles are built locally,” she observed. “That will reduce downtime for our fleet and lower operating costs.”

Chinese Ambassador Zhou Ding praised the collaboration with Quest Motor and Foton during the tour. “This partnership reflects deepening industrial ties between our nations,” he said. “We aim to expand cooperation beyond mining into manufacturing and technology, unlocking value-chain jobs under Vision 2030.”

Minister Ndlovu also lauded Mega Market and Wattle Company for near-full capacity utilisation. Mega Market operates at 100 percent throughput, while Wattle’s plywood initiative has boosted timber extraction efficiency to 70 percent. Wattle executive director Victoria Jakazi added, “Our next target is converting waste into pulpwood, pushing utilisation to 80 percent.”

As equipment arrives and the first chassis roll onto local assembly jigs, policymakers will watch keenly. The success of Quest Motor’s venture hinges on rigorous enforcement of local-procurement rules, consistent power and input supplies, and access to affordable financing. If these align, Zimbabwe may usher in a new era of automotive manufacturing — transforming import bills into home-grown industrial growth.

Stay tuned as Southerton Business Times tracks the rollout of Zimbabwe’s nascent auto assembly industry and its impact on jobs, balance of payments, and regional competitiveness.