UD Trucks enters Zambia through Motus Africa partnership

UD Trucks Southern Africa has officially entered the Zambian market through a strategic partnership with Imperial Motors Zambia, a member of Motus Africa

The launch took place on 1 October in Lusaka, establishing the brand’s presence at three operational locations in Lusaka, Kitwe and Solwezi.

The expansion introduces UD Trucks’ Japanese engineering heritage and international commercial vehicle expertise to Zambia, where reliable transport services are essential to economic activity. Through the partnership, UD Trucks and Imperial Motors Zambia aim to provide an integrated transport offering encompassing commercial vehicles, aftersales services and long-term customer support.

More than 90 guests attended the launch at Imperial Motors Zambia’s Kafue Road facility in Lusaka. The gathering included customers, industry representatives, media and senior executives from UD Trucks and Motus Africa. Fredrick Mwalusaka, Permanent Secretary at Zambia’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics, attended as Guest of Honour and participated in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The market entry reflects the companies’ shared ambition to establish a sustainable presence in Zambia and support businesses across the country’s key industries with dependable commercial transport solutions.

UD Trucks strengthens its Southern African presence

Zambia represents a strategic addition to UD Trucks Southern Africa’s regional network as the company seeks to expand its reach across important African markets.

The launch builds on the introduction of UD Trucks in Malawi in 2025 through Motus Africa, extending the collaboration between the two organisations and opening new opportunities to serve Zambian transport operators.

Demand for dependable commercial vehicles remains important across mining, agriculture, construction, logistics and distribution. Businesses operating in these sectors require vehicles that can withstand challenging working conditions, alongside services that help maintain fleet availability and manage operating costs.

UD Trucks’ approach centres on providing more than vehicles, combining product performance with an understanding of customers’ operational requirements and the support needed throughout the vehicle ownership cycle.

Filip Van den Heede, Managing Director of UD Trucks Southern Africa, said:

“The official launch of UD Trucks in Zambia represents another significant milestone in our ambition to strengthen our presence across Southern Africa and contribute to the development of Africa’s commercial transport sector,” said Filip Van den Heede, Managing Director of UD Trucks Southern Africa.

“Zambia is an important market, and our partnership with Imperial Motors Zambia provides a strong foundation for building the UD Trucks brand locally. By combining our Japanese engineering heritage and global expertise with an established local partner’s market knowledge and customer relationships, we are creating the platform to deliver dependable transport solutions and long-term value.

“Our ambition goes beyond introducing our products to a new market. It is about building lasting customer relationships, investing in the capabilities needed to support their operations and going the extra mile to help businesses move forward.”

Total transport solutions extend beyond vehicle sales

For Zambian fleet owners and transport operators, the partnership is intended to deliver support across the entire vehicle lifecycle, from selecting and acquiring suitable trucks to maintenance, servicing and ongoing technical assistance.

Graham Kolm, SSA Markets General Manager: Trucks Southern Africa, highlighted the importance of matching vehicle capabilities with the practical demands of customers’ businesses.

“For businesses operating in demanding industries, a truck is much more than a vehicle. It is a critical business asset, and its performance, availability and operating costs directly influence productivity and profitability.

“Ultimate Dependability is about understanding that responsibility. Through our partnership with Imperial Motors Zambia, we want to help customers identify the right solutions for their operations and support them in maximising uptime, improving operational efficiency and achieving long-term value. Our role is to work alongside our customers, going the extra mile to help keep their businesses moving.”

By integrating vehicle supply with aftersales support, the companies aim to help customers improve fleet utilisation, reduce operational disruptions and achieve greater value over the operating life of their vehicles.

Imperial Motors Zambia brings local market experience

Imperial Motors Zambia contributes 12 years of experience in the country’s automotive sector. Adding UD Trucks to its portfolio expands its commercial vehicle offering and reinforces its involvement in Zambia’s transport industry.

As part of Motus Africa, the business combines local market knowledge and established customer relationships with access to a broader regional automotive network. This provides a foundation for developing the UD Trucks brand and expanding the technical and service capabilities required by commercial vehicle customers.

Tim Jaques, Chairman of Imperial Motors Zambia and CEO of Motus Africa, highlighted the company’s continued commitment to the Zambian market. The addition of UD Trucks complements its existing brands, including Nissan, OMODA and JAECOO, while supporting its ambition to broaden its vehicle offering and continue investing in facilities, personnel and customer service.

Christophe Henning, General Manager of Imperial Motors Zambia, said the launch marked an important development for the company.

“The introduction of UD Trucks is an exciting new chapter for Imperial Motors Zambia. We are proud to partner with a commercial vehicle brand whose heritage in Japanese engineering and commitment to reliability align with our ambition to deliver quality products and customer support.

“Our focus is on building lasting relationships with Zambian businesses and becoming a trusted transport partner. We recognise that our responsibility extends well beyond the initial vehicle purchase. Customers need dependable products, access to genuine parts, skilled technicians and professional aftersales support throughout their vehicles’ operating lives.

“Through this partnership, we are committed to developing the local capabilities and customer relationships that will support the long-term growth of UD Trucks in Zambia.”

Investment in local facilities, skilled personnel, genuine parts and technical support will be central to the partnership’s efforts to build customer confidence and provide consistent service throughout the ownership journey.

Commercial transport investment supports Zambia’s economic ambitions

The launch also highlighted the connection between reliable commercial transport and Zambia’s broader economic development priorities.

Mr Fredrick Mwalusaka, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, attended the event as Guest of Honour. In his address, he emphasised the importance of transport and logistics in facilitating trade and supporting industries such as mining, agriculture and manufacturing.

He also highlighted Zambia’s potential to strengthen its position as a regional transport and logistics hub, with efficient movement of goods within the country and across international borders remaining an important consideration.

The event brought together public- and private-sector stakeholders to discuss the role of commercial transport investment in supporting business activity and economic development.

For UD Trucks, the Zambian market offers an opportunity to contribute through its commercial vehicle range, local distribution partnership and commitment to customer support.

UD Trucks targets long-term growth in Zambia

With operations established in Lusaka, Kitwe and Solwezi, UD Trucks and Imperial Motors Zambia have created an initial network to serve customers across key commercial transport markets.

Over the next three to five years, Imperial Motors Zambia aims to grow its UD Trucks customer base, strengthen the brand’s market position and continue developing its facilities, technical capabilities and aftersales services in response to customer requirements.

The expansion also supports UD Trucks Southern Africa’s wider strategy to build a stronger regional network and extend its total transport solutions offering to more customers across Southern Africa.

The partnership’s long-term performance will depend on its ability to provide reliable vehicles, responsive service and practical solutions that help businesses maintain productivity and manage operating costs.

Drawing on UD Trucks’ Japanese engineering heritage and its commitment to Ultimate Dependability, the companies aim to establish lasting relationships with Zambian transport operators and support the continued development of the country’s commercial transport sector.