Karenjy

After almost a 20-years standstill, the Malagasy car production has once again started. As in the old times, Karenjy produces cars in manual labour.

The factory is located in Fianarantsoa in the southern highlands of Madagascar, about 420 kilometres south of the capital Antananarivo. In 1986, the former president Ditier Ratsiraka initiated under his presidency the car production. Real soon Karenjy became the most important employer of the region. Following the fall of Ratsiraka in 1992, the very successful car production came soon to an end. Between 1994 and 2009 the factory was closed.

Thereafter, the French development aid agency Le Relais Madagasikara started a new production using still existing material which was left in the factory. According to the estimates of director Luc Ronssin, the material will allow the local mechanics to produce about 100 cars. At the moment there are 15 workers employed in the factory. The number is supposed to rise soon up to 50.

Karenjy is the only national car producer of Madagascar. All cars are truely hand-made, no work on the assembly line. The angular, sturdy jeep-like cars are suitable for rough rides on Malagasy roads. Three are three different car models: the Diesel Mazana 4x4, available in sedan and convertible, the petrol Faoka 2x4 pick-up and the Iraka with rear-engine. All cars are available in screaming colours, such as fire-red, bright-blue and grassgreen. The production time of one car is about one month. The price varies between €5,000 and €7,000. The first customers are mainly foreigners.

"All cars are 100% Vita Malagasy (Made in Madagascar), low in maintenance and rarely in need of repair", says Lux Ronssin and hopes for a new car boom in Fianarantsoa.