Zimbabwe is gearing up to roll out the new Foton Tunland V9 pickup from local assembly lines, marking a significant step forward for the region’s automotive industry. The project will be led by Quest Motor Manufacturing in Mutare, which expects to receive its first batch of assembly equipment next month.
According to Zimbabwe’s Industry and Commerce Minister, Mangaliso Ndlovu, the move is part of the government’s broader strategy to revive local manufacturing, promote import substitution, and strengthen regional export potential. The Minister said state departments would now be required to prioritise locally made goods to sustain jobs and build industrial capacity.
Quest Motor Manufacturing’s general manager, Carl Fernandes, confirmed that the plant will kick off with the JAC T9 double cab before switching to Foton’s new Tunland V9 pickup in January 2026.
“We expect our first shipment of parts in November and plan to assemble around 180 vehicles in the first phase, depending on demand,” said Fernandes.
Established in 1961, Quest Motor is one of Zimbabwe’s oldest vehicle assemblers and has been working with Chinese automakers for over a decade. The latest project deepens that relationship, with Chinese Ambassador Zhou Ding hailing the collaboration as a “sign of growing industrial cooperation” between the two countries.
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Industry insiders say the Mutare plant could create up to 500 local jobs by 2026, while providing affordable, high-quality pickups for buyers across Zimbabwe and neighbouring markets — including South Africa.
For South African truck and pickup enthusiasts, the news is noteworthy. With Chinese brands like Foton and JAC making strong inroads locally, Zimbabwe’s re-entry into vehicle manufacturing could strengthen regional supply chains and bring more competitively priced models into the Southern African market.
Looks like the Tunland V9 might soon hit our roads — this time proudly assembled just across the border in Mutare.
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