Lifan to set up $10mln assembly plant in Ethiopia

Lifan Group is also the sole supplier of engines, motors and spare-parts for the locally assembled Holland Car which produces Abay and Awash antomobile for the local market and export.

The Chinese vehicle manufacturer has already started the process to establish its subsidiary in Ethiopia which will, in three months, get registered if all goes according to plan, Juequan said.

Lifan Group will invest over $10 million in the future vehicle assembly plant while it will establish "a new relationship" with Holland Car for which it is currently supplying its products according to Juequan.

The vehicle assembly plant to be built in Ethiopia will produce different kinds of assembled cars, including buses and minibuses, and manufacture motorbikes, generators and water pumps, among others.

The representatives of the company will come to Ethiopia after three months to prepare the ground for the establishment of the car assembly plant which will be named after Lifan.

Founded in 1992, Lifan Group has rapidly grown and developed to be a large-scale private enterprise centering on the technology development, manufacture and sale of vehicle and motorcycle, according to information posted on the website of the company.

Lifan is currently exhibiting its products at the weeklong Addis Chamber International Trade Fair which kick-started on Thursday along with other fifteen Chinese companies which are participating at the trade fair for the first time.

Over 116 foreign companies are exhibiting their products and services at the Chamber's trade fair, which saw the participation of Russian enterprises for the first time as is the case for the Chinese companies.