Mobius Motors Kenya Relaunch: Local SUV Assembly Set to Resume After Buyout
Mobius Motors Kenya relaunch plans are officially underway, with the company planning to resume assembly in the next six months. The local automotive brand was recently acquired early this year by Middle East-based investment firm Silver Box, rescuing it from near liquidation.
The Mobius 3 is at the centre of the company’s revival strategy. This is their rugged SUV that, while it had attracted the attention of customers thanks to its affordability and durability on African roads, its production had to be put on hold, and that left existing customers with little support and uncertain service access.
But this is about to change.
“We’ve seen strong interest from customers in the Mobius 3—even while operations were paused,” said John Kavila, the newly appointed Chief Operating Officer at Mobius Motors. “That demand is what’s guiding our roadmap for the Mobius Motors Kenya relaunch.”
Supporting Customers First
“Our immediate focus is on after-sales support—parts availability, repair services, and general customer care. We want to rebuild trust from the ground up,” says Kavila, a longtime engineer and former technical director at the company. He emphasized that the first step is taking care of those who already own Mobius vehicles.
Despite last year’s shutdown, Mobius retained its supplier relationships in China, ensuring a smoother restart. The Mobius 3 will continue being imported as parts and assembled locally—a model that had previously helped the company cut costs and support local jobs.
New Ownership, Fresh Vision
The Mobius Motors Kenya relaunch is driven twofold – one with a clearer strategic direction and capital injection from Silver Box. The company’s new leadership plans to diversify its current lineup beyond the Mobius 3 to meet varying consumer needs across the region.
“We are exploring a wider range of SUVs—some more premium, some more utility-focused—to serve both urban drivers and off-road users,” Kavila shared.
This new vision is in line with its broader goals to increase its presence in East Africa’s growing vehicle market, where there’s a high demand for durable, affordable cars.
Reviving the Kenyan Car Dream
Founded in 2011 by British entrepreneur Joel Jackson, Mobius Motors was once considered a symbol of Kenya’s industrial ambition. Its mission was bold: to build a Kenyan-made car designed for the continent’s rugged terrain and underserved market segments.
Over the years, the firm secured over $50 million in funding from backers including Playfair Capital, Chandaria Industries, and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. Despite those resources, the company faced tough economic headwinds and struggled to achieve profitability.
That led to a near-collapse and a formal liquidation process—until Silver Box stepped in. Their buyout gave Mobius a second shot at realizing its founding vision.
Now, with the Mobius Motors Kenya relaunch in motion, the company hopes to carve out space once again in the local automotive industry, which has remained dominated by used imports and foreign brands.
Pivotal Chapter
The coming months will be critical. Mobius plans to restart Mobius 3 assembly, restore customer service, and roll out new vehicle models as part of its long-term roadmap.
“This isn’t just about restarting operations,” Kavila said. “It’s about reigniting the belief that Kenya can build cars—cars made for our people, our roads, and our conditions.”
For those watching the evolution of Africa’s auto sector, the Mobius Motors Kenya relaunch could mark a pivotal chapter. Whether it becomes a sustained comeback or just a brief return depends on execution, but for now, the engine is starting to turn once again.
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