Mobius Motors

The name comes from the Mobius strip, a special mathematical surface with a single surface and single boundary, first described by German mathematician August Ferdinand Möbius in 1858. == Key people ==

Joel Jackson is the founder and CEO of Mobius Motors. Prior to founding Mobius, Jackson worked on business strategy with an acclaimed micro-forestry social enterprise in rural Kenya. He also worked as a management consultant, advising top Fortune 500 companies across Europe and North America. He is the recipient of the TED fellowship and Echoing Green Fellowship and a graduate of Imperial College with a first-class degree in Computer Science. ==History==

2009–2011 On a visit to Kenya, Joel Jackson recognized the need for a rugged, affordable vehicle to improve transportation around the country, especially in rural areas. He formed a small team that spent ten months in research and development to produce the Mobius I, Mobius Motors’ first prototype. The Mobius I provided valuable learning, shaping Jackson's approach to simplified design and smart use of off-the-shelf components to keep development costs low. Initially, the company operated out of a small shed in Kilifi on the Kenyan coast. The company moved first to Mombasa and then to Nairobi where the company headquarters and showroom are located at Sameer Business Park off Mombasa Road. Before acquiring external funding in 2012, Joel Jackson bootstrapped the company's operations. 2011–2016 The first round of funding enabled the Mobius Motors to start the design and development of its second prototype and what would eventually become its first production model. The improved model was named Mobius II and featured better design and engineering than its predecessor. In 2014, the first production of Mobius II hit the market to a warm reception, despite concerns regarding the company's pushing back of release dates. The Mobius II employed minimalistic design, sticking to basic functionality and lacking such basic functionalities of modern cars as power steering, door handles, GPS navigation, and glass windows. 2016–present After the initial production of the first 50 the Mobius II vehicles, the company discontinued its production and started to develop the next vehicle. The new Mobius II is scheduled for release in 2019 with an increased production potential of several thousand vehicles per year. In early 2018, Mobius Motors closed its Series A equity financing and raised additional funding of Ksh 500 million from the United States Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). This investment allowed the company to set up a new factory in the industrial area of Nairobi near Mombasa Road. The new Mobius factory will be the only one in East Africa doing complete assembly of passenger vehicles with capabilities in fabrication, body shop, paint shop, general assembly, and final line testing. == The first prototype ==

Mobius I Mobius I was Mobius Motors’ first prototype, a practical, no-frills vehicle composed of a tubular steel frame and off-the-shelf parts. In the founder's words, it looked like a ‘dune buggy’. Although the Mobius I prototype was built by welders and mechanics from the Jua Kali industry (informal sector in Kenya comprising small-scale traders, craftspeople, and entrepreneurs), it proved that there was potential to build a car that could navigate both urban roads and degraded roads in rural areas. It was on the basis of this prototype that the company's subsequent Mobius II would follow. ==Production models==

Mobius II (first generation) After raising external financing, Mobius Motors started work on the next prototype for the first production model. The Mobius II designation referred to the vehicle's body type, rather than as a sequential continuation from the Mobius I prototype For example, the vehicle lacked air conditioning, power steering, and lockable doors, and it offered canvas windows rather than glass. The car featured a lock-box in which owners could safely store their personal items to avoid theft. Customers had no options for customization of any of the car's features, a limitation that was addressed with the second-generation Mobius II. == Strategic outlook ==

Concept cars Mobius Motors has announced plans to diversify the utility of its vehicles by including an extendable ladder chassis to make it possible for their vehicles to be used for functions such as goods delivery, public transport, and ambulances. The next-generation Mobius II will be the first vehicle featuring this improvement. The company has also expressed interest in hybrid and electric cars in the future. Mobius Motors is looking to expand to the rest of the country by opening Sales & Service Centers in Mombasa in 2019 and later on in Western Kenya with a service station in Kisumu. The company is also projected to expand regionally and in the rest of Africa later on. Planned car factory After acquiring funding from the United States Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), Mobius Motors announced plans to build their own factory. The factory will be the first such production facility in the country as other vehicle manufacturers focus only on commercial vehicles or light assembly to finish nearly-built cars. The factory is expected to provide the company greater control over the timing and scale of its production, addressing its historical challenges with production delays. An expanded research and development space is also expected to accelerate future product development. == Marketing and placement ==

Brand values According to Mobius Motors founder and CEO, the company aims to establish itself as the ideal automaker to spearhead the industrialization of the continent. The company's marketing stresses the ability of their rugged vehicles to navigate the degraded roads around the country. Location Mobius Motors' head offices is located at a showroom at Mombasa road in Nairobi. The company has also announced plans to open a new Sales & Service Center (SSC) in Mombasa in early 2019. Venture Beat, have praised the effort of Joel Jackson to create a car for the often overlooked African market and the empowerment of latent talent therein. Joel Jackson has also featured in TED Talk events discussing the vision of Mobius Motors to power entrepreneurship in Kenya, East Africa, and the African continent. ==References==