Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, has backed the growing push for more affordable brand-new vehicles, saying consumers must begin to weigh the value they receive against the high cost of some traditional vehicle choices.
He said Ghana’s evolving automotive market could give consumers access to newer vehicles without necessarily committing huge amounts of money to expensive models.
Speaking after visiting the final day of the Channel One TV–Zonda Tec Auto Sale and Expo in Accra, Mr Quayson said his perception of Chinese vehicles had changed after examining the models on display, particularly their durability and value for money.
“I think what has really changed my curiosity is the durability of it.”
He said the quality of Chinese vehicles could no longer simply be dismissed based on long-held perceptions about Chinese products.
“We have always had the second thought that Chinese products are low quality and all that, but seeing what I’ve seen, I think the quality is in there and the value, most of all, for the average person, for the developing country, economy and everything.”
For Mr Quayson, the economics of vehicle ownership should also encourage consumers to reconsider whether expensive traditional models always represent the best value for money.
“So why would you lock up about GH₵2 million for, say, a Japanese Land Cruiser, when a million cedis can get you something like that? Do the math.”
He, however, said Ghana must improve its road network to fully realise the benefits of the growing range of vehicles entering the market.
The Deputy Minister said his assessment was informed by what he described as the growing global acceptance of Chinese vehicles, noting that he had encountered them in several international markets.
“They’re almost global now; of course there’s still restriction in North America and Western Europe, but they are in Africa, South America, the Middle East, you name it.”
His comments came as the two-day expo concluded, bringing consumers closer to new vehicle models while placing affordability, quality and value for money at the centre of discussions about Ghana’s evolving automotive market.
