DT Dobie, Kenya’s iconic auto dealer, ends operations after 75 years, marking a shift to CFAO Motors and a new era in Africa’s auto market.
For more than seven decades, D.T. Dobie & Company (Kenya) Ltd was a benchmark of prestige in East Africa’s motor industry — serving diplomats, corporates, and elite buyers.
On August 15, 2025, the High Court of Kenya appointed the Official Receiver as liquidator, following a Special Resolution passed on June 3.
“Pursuant to the provisions of the Insolvency Act, take notice that the Official Receiver was appointed as Liquidator of the property of D.T. Dobie & Company (Kenya) Limited,” stated the insolvency notice, urging creditors to submit claims through the Business Registration Service portal by September 15, 2025.
This marks the legal end of DT Dobie, though its operational exit happened earlier in 2023 when it merged with CFAO Motors Kenya.
From Competitors to Partners
On April 1, 2023, DT Dobie transferred all assets to CFAO Motors Kenya, merging two of Kenya’s oldest dealerships. The move was part of CFAO Group’s continent-wide plan — backed by Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC) — to consolidate operations in 46 African markets.
“The merger was about creating a unified, competitive automotive platform in Kenya,” explained Arvinder Reel, Managing Director of CFAO Mobility Kenya.
Today, CFAO Motors Kenya sells and services Toyota, Suzuki, Yamaha, Hino, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and Sinotruck through 36 branches nationwide.
A Legacy Written in Luxury
Founded in 1949 by Colonel David Theodore Dobie, the company shaped Kenya’s auto sector, securing the Mercedes-Benz and Nissan franchises. Owning a Mercedes from DT Dobie became a mark of status.
“Owning a Mercedes from DT Dobie wasn’t just about the car — it was a status symbol,” recalls Peter Mwangi, a retired banker.
However, as the market shifted toward multi-brand dealerships, online sales, and electric vehicles, the standalone luxury model struggled to keep pace.
Global Strategy, Local Impact
Toyota Tsusho’s 2016 acquisition of CFAO triggered a drive to integrate dealerships, boost efficiency, and enhance bargaining power while retaining premium marques. But consolidation can come at a cost — erasing familiar local names.
“We are witnessing a generational shift in Africa’s auto sector,” says automotive analyst Wanjiku Njoroge. “The DT Dobie liquidation is symbolic — it’s the end of an era.”
Creditors’ Last Call
Creditors must submit Proof of Debts (Form No. 5) via the Business Registration Service by September 15, 2025, or risk exclusion from payouts.
DT Dobie’s Legacy in CFAO’s Future
Though its name will vanish from the registry, DT Dobie’s influence lives on in CFAO’s operations, with a focus on:
- Electric vehicle rollouts
- Fleet management and leasing
- Digital sales and after-sales service
“DT Dobie may be gone on paper, but its DNA is in CFAO’s operations,” says Joshua Anya, Deputy MD of CFAO Mobility Kenya.
