For over 7 decades DT Dobie was a household name in Kenya’s automotive industry, a symbol of class and style, especially through its iconic Mercedes-Benz franchise. But after 76 years of operations, the company is now officially closing its doors, leaving behind a rich legacy in the Kenyan automotive market.
A Legacy in Kenya’s Automotive History
Founded in 1949 by Colonel David Theodore Dobie, a British Army veteran of World War II, DT Dobie first made its mark by getting the Mercedes-Benz franchise for East Africa. The company quickly grew to become a major player in the automotive sector, dealing not just in luxury passenger vehicles but also in heavy commercial trucks. Colonel Dobie’s love for cars came from his experiences during World War II when he served in Germany.
Over the years the company expanded its portfolio to include international automotive brands such as Nissan, Volkswagen, Renault and Hyundai including their trucks and buses. DT Dobie was the leading distributor for these big brands, offering customers top notch vehicles and services.
Challenges and the Fall
However despite its past successes DT Dobie faced significant challenges in recent years. In 2014 the company lost the Nissan and Renault franchise in Kenya to Imperial Group from South Africa. This was a big blow especially the loss of the Nissan franchise which had been with DT Dobie for 50 years.
This was largely as a result of CFAO Motors (DT Dobie’s parent company) being acquired by Toyota Motor Corporation and the subsequent restructuring of the company. The departure of these key franchises and the restructuring put DT Dobie on a tough spot.
Merger and Restructuring
In an effort to weather the storm DT Dobie merged its operations with CFAO Motors Kenya (formerly Toyota Kenya) on April 1, 2023. This merger created the largest automotive distributor and service provider in the country. But this was part of a broader restructuring plan to consolidate the two companies’ operations in a competitive market.By 2016 Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC) a major player in the Toyota Group had acquired 100% of CFAO shares. This acquisition led to an internal group reorganization where TTC would consolidate all its African operations including Toyota Kenya under the CFAO brand.
The End of DT Dobie
Despite the merger and the shift to a unified brand under CFAO in Africa, the end of DT Dobie as a separate entity was inevitable. As of June 3, 2023 the company went into liquidation under the Insolvency Act. Mark Gakuru the official receiver and liquidator announced that the official liquidation process would commence, with creditors required to submit claims by September 15, 2023.
This marks the end of DT Dobie’s long and storied history in Kenya’s automotive industry. The company’s exit also marks the end of an era for many Kenyan consumers who had come to associate DT Dobie with prestige and quality.