Joel Jackson, a British entrepreneur, founded Mobius Motors in 2010 to create affordable vehicles for Kenya’s rural areas. The company’s early models attracted investment but later faced financial difficulties, leading to voluntary liquidation. A recent takeover by a Middle Eastern firm has revived operations, with plans to produce a new model, Mobius 3, in 2025.
In 2008, Joel Jackson, a British entrepreneur, moved to rural Kenya while working with a micro-forestry social enterprise. He was inspired by the challenges posed by poor road infrastructure and the lack of affordable vehicles, leading him to establish Mobius Motors, Kenya’s first company focused on designing and building vehicles locally from scratch.
Recognizing a significant gap in the African transport market, Jackson, despite lacking an automotive engineering background, conducted thorough research into low-cost vehicle design. He collaborated with engineers to devise prototypes aimed at practicality and affordability for Kenyan roads, ultimately founding Mobius Motors Kenya Ltd in Nairobi in 2010.
The inaugural prototype, Mobius I, featured a basic tubular steel frame tailored for rough terrains. This proof of concept attracted early investment, which facilitated the launch of Mobius II in 2014. Priced at approximately 1 million Ksh ($10,000), Mobius II became Kenya’s most affordable new vehicle and was assembled using a combination of local and imported parts.
Subsequent iterations of Mobius II included enhancements like power steering and glass windows to broaden market appeal; however, the company faced significant challenges. Revenues consistently fell short, leading to substantial annual losses attributed to competition from second-hand imports and high taxation. By December 2024, Mobius reported losses exceeding 100 million Ksh, prompting severe internal and external challenges.
In August 2024, Mobius announced its entry into voluntary liquidation, marking the end of a decade of automotive development. However, in early 2025, the company received a lifeline through a takeover by a Middle Eastern firm committed to advancing its business. Mobius confirmed operations were resuming, with plans for the production of a new model, Mobius 3, anticipated in July 2025, and a 4×4 vehicle launch scheduled for December. Subsequently, new leadership was appointed to uphold Jackson’s original vision for the company.
Joel Jackson’s initiative to create Mobius Motors was a response to the pressing need for affordable and durable vehicles tailored for Kenya’s rural terrain. Despite initial successes and subsequent challenges resulting in voluntary liquidation, the recent takeover by a Middle Eastern firm signals a potential revitalization for the company. The forthcoming production of new models poses an optimistic future for Mobius Motors and its commitment to serving the African market.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
