By Adrian Frater, News Editor 
Minister of Development, Dr. Paul Robertson (right) discusses the merit of the land cruiser with businessman Patrick Marzouca, the founder/Managing Director of Excel Motors Limited, prior to the car being shipped to the Bahamas yesterday. - Photo by Adrian Frater
WESTERN BUREAU
HISTORY WAS created in western Jamaica yesterday, when businessman Patrick Marzouca, founder/managing director of the Westmoreland-based company, Excel Motors Limited, shipped out the first locally manufactured vehicle, one of his spanking new Island Cruiser motorcars to a buyer in the Bahamas.
"Today Jamaica has taken one giant step forward, through Excel Motors, and I do not intend for this to fall into the two-step forward, three-step backward syndrome," said Mr. Marzouca. He was addressing members of the media and well-wishers at the Montego Bay Port, where the vehicle was shipped from.
"It will be forward ever backward never from now on," he said.
Minister of Development, Dr. Paul Robertson, who was at dockside to see the crisp navy blue two-door vehicle loaded onto the cargo ship, said that having himself driven in one of the 30 cars produced to date by Excel Motors, he could vouch for its reliability and dependability.
"The vehicle is reliable and dependable and I know of at least one government agency which is planning to use these vehicles," said Minister Robertson. He added that he drove one of the cars for a month. "These car have been tested at the highest world standard and found to be safe vehicles."
In explaining how the Bahamas buyer became aware of the Excel car, Mr. Marzouca said the gentleman rented one while he was on vacation in Negril, fell in love with the car and decided to buy one. He added that other persons, both locals and foreigners, have been expressing much interest in the cars, which range in prices from US$10,000 to US$13,000.
"Excel Motors intends to put its product into the Caribbean market, taking advantage of CARICOM," said a confident Mr. Marzouca. He recalled people snickering at the project when it was in its early stages.
"We intend to storm the Caribbean with a marketing blitz that has never been seen before," he said.
Mr. Marzouca, who employs some 56 persons, said while he has started out by exporting just one car, it would not be long before large numbers of his vehicles will come rolling off the assemble line to be exported to all parts of the world. He also said he intends to have a commanding presence on the local market.
Excel Motors, which came into being in 1994, evolved out of the dogged persistence of Mr. Marzouca, who was always of the view that affordable vehicles could be manufactured in Jamaica. After forging a working agreement with the US-based company, International Business America, he secured the blessing of JAMPRO and the Ministry of Development and has not looked back.
"I am one person who believes in the capabilities of Jamaica and of Jamaicans," said Mr. Marzouca. "I have put my all into this effort and I know that the Island Cruiser is a product of which this country can be proud."
