Quest Motors Says It Will Build EVs. We Have Been Here Before With ‘Made in Zimbabwe’ Cars. What Is Different This Time?

The industrial landscape of Mutare is undergoing a radical transformation as Quest Motor Manufacturing prepares to anchor Zimbabwe’s ambitious transition into the era of electric and new-energy mobility.

This strategic shift is primarily driven by a recent government directive and legislative support, such as Statutory Instrument 194 of 2024, which resuscitates the local motor industry by suspending customs duties to zero percent on Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) kits for approved assemblers.

By localising electric vehicle production, the company aims to help the government reduce its heavy reliance on expensive fossil fuel imports and meet national climate goals, while revitalising a factory that has faced years of subdued activity.

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