Motor dealer DT Dobie has ceded its distributorship franchise for Nissan and Renault vehicles to South Africa’s Imperial Group, ending a long-standing association with the brands.

DT Dobie is banking on resilience of local businesses to current high inflation and various economic challenges to help boost sales of its new commercial vehicle Nissan NP300 launched yesterday.

A Nissan Hardbody pickup is flagged off during the official launch of DT Dobie Nissan Challenge 2012 in Mombasa on Monday. Five such pickups, each car - The Standard ...

DT Dobie is set to lose the Nissan franchise as international vehicle manufacturers seek to cut links with the dealer following its acquisition by rival Toyota.

The campaign involves a range of two Nissan hardbody pickups known as Atoti and Haichoki, Nissan NP200 called Mchapakazi and the Nissan Navara and Nissan Patrol.

Increased demand for pick-up trucks has seen Toyota Kenya and DT Dobie gain as CMC Motors and Simba Colt lost market share on reduced demand for their heavy commercial trucks.