New Suzuki buyers to get free fuel, insurance under CFAO Mobility campaign

KAMPALA — Buyers of brand-new Suzuki vehicles in Uganda will receive one year of free fuel and one year of comprehensive insurance under a new promotional campaign by CFAO Mobility Uganda, in a move analysts say signals intensifying competition on ownership costs in the country’s vehicle market.

The limited-time offer, dubbed “The Upgrade You Deserve,” applies to every brand-new Suzuki model purchased while stocks last, and comes on top of the distributor’s standard two years of free servicing and a three-year manufacturer warranty. It was rolled out alongside the Kampala launch of the Suzuki ACROSS Hybrid, the newest addition to the range.

For buyers, the package addresses the heaviest recurring costs of vehicle ownership at a time of volatile pump prices and squeezed household budgets. For the distributor, it is a calculated commercial play: CFAO cannot compete with Uganda’s dominant used-import market on sticker price, so it is shifting the contest to total cost of ownership.

“Many motorists believe that owning a brand-new vehicle is out of reach,” said Isaac Tegule, Marketing Manager at CFAO Mobility Uganda. “With ‘The Upgrade You Deserve’ campaign, we are proving that upgrading to a zero-mileage Suzuki is not only attainable but financially smarter. We are giving drivers absolute peace of mind and predictability by covering their fuel, insurance, and servicing costs.”

The qualifying range spans price points aimed at distinct buyer segments: the Super Carry at $14,500 and Eeco Van at $16,500 for traders and delivery businesses; the S-Presso at $16,500 and Fronx at $27,500 for first-time and professional buyers; the Ertiga at $24,000 and XL6 at $27,000 for families; and the Jimny 5-Door at $33,000, ACROSS Hybrid at $35,000 and Grand Vitara Hybrid at $41,500 at the premium end.

Pre-owned imports dominate Uganda’s roads because of their low upfront cost, but the company argues they carry hidden liabilities — unpredictable repair bills, poor fuel efficiency and no warranty cover — that raise the true cost of ownership over time. Industry observers say the promotion reflects a regional trend, with East African distributors increasingly marketing predictability and lifetime cost rather than headline price, in an environment shaped by inflation and fuel-price swings.

The hybrid positioning is itself a commercial bet. The ACROSS, built in India where it sells as the Maruti Victoris, pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 12-volt mild-hybrid system for a claimed 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres and a range of up to 900 kilometres per tank. With Uganda’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure still thin, distributors are wagering that fuel-efficient hybrids — not full electrics — will win over cost-conscious private and corporate buyers in the near term.

“Today’s consumers are making smarter, more calculated decisions. They are looking beyond the initial purchase price and factoring in long-term maintenance, servicing, and fuel economy,” said Dan Engola, Suzuki Sales Manager at CFAO Mobility Uganda.

To broaden uptake, the company has structured three acquisition routes: full upfront payment, asset financing through partner banks, and trade-ins under which a buyer’s current vehicle is valued and credited as a down payment. The financing partnerships in particular target salaried professionals and businesses that would otherwise be priced out of new vehicles.

CFAO Mobility is part of the CFAO group, ultimately owned by Japanese trading giant Toyota Tsusho, giving the campaign the backing of one of the largest mobility players on the continent. Its Suzuki operations and test drives are based at Plot 1A and 1B, First Street, in the Kampala Industrial Area.