The bus has been sold to Lupane-based St Paul’s Amandlethu AMR High School for US$140,000.
Speaking at the official launch, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Tadeous Chifamba, said the unveiling was more than the introduction of a new product.
“It represents the renewal of a manufacturing capability that has formed part of Zimbabwe’s industrial base for generations,” he said.
“It demonstrates that our existing industrial capacity can be revitalised, modernised and repositioned to meet domestic requirements while also competing in regional markets.”
Chifamba said AVM Africa has, for more than six decades, contributed to the manufacture of buses, truck bodies and other commercial vehicles for both the public and private sectors.
He said he was encouraged that the company is now sourcing several components locally, including seats, upholstery, steel, batteries, wiring and paint.
“This is precisely the type of industrial linkage Government seeks to promote,” he said.
“When we manufacture a bus locally, we are not merely producing a finished vehicle. We are creating demand for local suppliers, supporting jobs, developing skills, strengthening technological capabilities and retaining greater value within the Zimbabwean economy.”
AVM Africa Managing Director Jacob Kupa called on local industry to support the manufacturing sector and reduce unnecessary import dependence.
“People have been importing buses, but it is now locally available, so there is no need for people to go out there to import,” Kupa said.
“In order to be industrialised, we need to consume what we produce. Otherwise, we are not building anything meaningful.
“If people make margarine here, but you don’t buy it, what are we saying? We are killing the whole system.”
Kupa said the bus is 65 per cent local content, with 91 companies feeding into its production.
“That means that if you don’t place local orders, you are not just starving AVM, but you are starving 91 companies. So, by not giving bus orders to AVM, we are also depriving those companies, which means we are de-industrialising,” he said.
“We are looking forward to support from all stakeholders, with the Government being number one, through the purchase of vehicles.”