Car enthusiasts around the country are forming support groups, and most of these groups are doing really well in as far as building a community is concerned.
The clubs were set up for all car owners with similar models to meet up, show off their rides and share their enthusiasm for a particular model.
These individuals come together to make car owner’s clubs for various reasons, including taking part in road trips, charity events, but mostly for mechanical support and a feeling of togetherness.
Car owner’s clubs are more specific to brands and sometimes even the specific model. Here’s a list of owner’s clubs in Kenya.
Subaru Owners Club
Like most car owners clubs, the club was set up for all Subaru owners to meet up, show off their cars and share their enthusiasm for this model of car.
The group hosts events like motorsports in conjunction with other partners, an annual time trial event and car festival for the motor sport enthusiast who wants to enjoy their car in a closed and safe environment and also spectate in the same.
Activities done during the event include; vehicles are put in a specific class and allowed a timed run track and the drag strip. The timings are displayed and the winners are given a certificate as token of appreciation. All participants have to abide with the rules.
The event is solely meant for Subaru owners but there are other groups targeting specific Subaru car models like Subaru Legacy and Subaru Forester Owners.
Mercedes-Benz Club
They describe themselves as a nonprofit educational and social club for knowledge gain and enjoyment.
Just like Subaru owners, they too hold activities, with the memorable event dubbed “Toa stress drive” (eliminate stress drive). According to their Facebook Page, the “Toa stress drive” is an annual event. The Club’s leadership does most of activities online where they advertise events and attract new members to join the club.
It is here that drivers mingle and discuss their different vehicles, and ventilate over new launch of new vehicle models, advances in design, safety, infortainment and driving experience.
Land Rover Owners Club
Here Land Rover lovers and owners seek, share and or exchange information on maintenance, parts and all that involves the Land Rover model. Owners share important tips on how to maintain their rides. Things like when to ensuring the oil, brake fluid, coolant, steering fluid are up to the required levels. When to clean and tighten the terminals of your battery, how to teach yourself how to wash your car and declutter the glove boxes, the boot and shampoo your car seats.
The club also shares on details about various models of Land Rovers and where to get the spare parts of the cars.
Other car owners groups that have thousands of members include BMW Owners Club, Audi Fan Club, Mazda Owners Club, Volkswagen Owners Club, Mitsubishi Owners Club, Peugeot Owners Club, Honda Owners Club and many others.
The car club owners have provided forms for new members to join the groups on their respective social media pages.
According to Kenya Bureau of Statistics (KBS), car registrations in Kenya decreased to 39,509 in October from 35,180 in November of 2020.
Still, the Kenyan car market was hit in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted sales significantly.
After a quite positive period, which ended with the all-time record hit in 2015 with 19.549 vehicles sold, the Kenyan vehicles market was hit by the economic crisis and started falling down, losing in two years over 40% of volume.
