Tunisia has its own car manufacturer, and it has plans to continue the rise it has experienced in recent years with new designs and a focus on environmentally friendly car manufacturing.
Based in La Marsa, the company is still relatively new, as it was only founded in 2006, but it has already made an impact in the market and is selling in Europe, Central America and the Middle East.
A pioneer among Arab and African car makers, Wallyscar’s ambition to succeed in an industry that is dominated by European, American and Asian competitors is an example for other African companies.
Here are 12 things you didn’t know about African car manufacturer Wallyscar.
Dedicated to environmentally friendly manufacturing
Wallyscar is not a manufacturer dedicated to producing vehicles without thought for their environmental impact. The socially-aware company has plans to create environmentally friendly cars, and spends a great deal of money on research and development for that very purpose.
Colorful cars
Above all else, the Tunisian car manufacturer is known for its colorful and sporty jeeps, which stand out as vibrant examples of Wallyscar’s creativity. The cars are available in a range of colors, including yellow, pink, orange and with additional designs such as cityscapes on the sides, as seen above.
Sold in numerous countries
While many smaller car manufacturers focus on producing vehicles for their own home market, Wallyscar is ambitious enough to look outside Tunisia’s borders, and currently sells its cars in Morocco, France, Spain, Panama and Qatar.
Not the only African manufacturer
The continent’s car market has been dominated by repaired and resold vehicles, but many local car companies are getting more attention, stepping up their game and creating locally sourced vehicles that can compete on the international market. Examples include Birkin Cars, Laraki and Kiira Motors.
A first for car makers from Africa and the Arab world
The manufacturer is the first Arab and African car maker to register with the Society of Automotive Engineers Organization, the premier world resource for the design, manufacturing, operation, and maintenance of automobiles. The U.S.-based organization is now known as the Society of Automotive Engineers.
Limited number of cars produced
Production capacity is currently at 600 units per year, meaning that the Tunisian car maker produces hundreds of their vehicles annually. Those wishing to acquire one of the cars should pre-order, as the limited number of vehicles produced means that the car is fairly exclusive.
Partnership with Peugeot and Citroën
Wallyscar uses Citroën, Peugeot, VDO and UTAC as parts suppliers for their vehicles. French automobile company Peugeot is used for the PSA 1.4-litre petrol engine that is added to Wallyscar vehicles.
Dedicated social media presence
Wallyscar relies on social media to publicize their brand and interact with fans of their cars. The car manufacturer has a presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube, with over 2,500 followers on Instagram and more than 24,000 likes on Facebook.
Two stars from Euro NCAP
The European New Car Assessment Programme awarded the Wallyscar Izis, the previous jeep-type model which has since been discontinued in favor of a new model, two stars. Euro NCAP decides on a rating out of five based on safety assessment considerations in the event of a crash.
Recyclable cars
In manufacturing the cars that Wallyscar makes available to consumers, the company is compliant with European standards, and the design of their vehicles is based on the idea that they are recyclable and should make less noise than other similar cars.
Many design options
Wallyscar is all about customization, with over 100 finishes available for buyers to choose from at the factory. Customers can select from a range of different accessories such as various steering wheel options, interior trim designs and built-in appliances.
Well priced compared to competition
In March this year, Wallyscar made a second vehicle available commercially, the Wallyscar Iris, which sells new for around $12,725, or 30,900 Tunisian dinar in local currency. Considering the fact that it is a fairly high-performance car in the SUV segment, it is well-priced compared to most competitors.