For years, East Africans have only seen the GMC 3500 car being driven by wealthy Americans in movies or on social media.
However, the narrative has taken an intriguing turn with the emergence of Ramadhan Msomi, better known as Rama, a Kenyan-based businessman who is now the envious owner of the GMC Sierra 3500 HD.
He is the only known owner of the gigantic ride in the region.
His journey and passion for cars have catapulted him into the spotlight, turning heads and leaving an indelible mark on every road he travels.
This is his journey as told by WoK:
Background
Originally from Musoma, Tanzania, Ramadhan relocated to Kenya in 1998 to pursue business opportunities.
Over the years, the astute businessman invested in the transport and hospitality sector.
He is the current owner of the prestigious 4-star Le Grand Victoria hotel chain in Musoma and Mombasa.
He also owns several trucks that ply the East African region.
On a tour in America in November 2022, he encountered the GMC car and was attracted to it because of its large size.
Determined to own the heavy-duty pickup, Rama embarked on a search for a right-hand drive variant.
His endeavors led him to Ireland, UK, where he managed to find and purchase the coveted automobile in early 2023.
Speaking in interviews, he said he bought and imported the car from Ireland at a cost of $ 260,000 (Over sh 26 Million).
However, his journey with the GMC 3500 was not without obstacles.
Upon importing the car to Mombasa, it was impounded at the port for eight months due to tax issues.
Official records indicated that it was the first ride of its kind to be imported in East Africa.
The first time the vehicle made headlines in the country was when celebrated gospel musician Janet Otieno was spotted standing next to and driving the black pickup earlier this year.
GMC 3500 Features and Performance
The GMC 3500 is a heavy-duty pickup.
Aside from commanding attention on the roads, it boasts numerous impressive features.
It boasts a 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 engine generating 445 horsepower, effortlessly conquering East Africa’s challenging terrains.
With a fully leather interior, a Bose sound system, and a heated steering wheel, this behemoth combines comfort and luxuriousness for its passengers.
Ramadhan confesses that the car’s high-tech infotainment system and four-wheel drive make it his ultimate favorite.
A Lifelong Love of Cars
For Ramadhan, buying the GMC was not a spur-of-the-moment idea.
“I have been passionate about cars since I was a child. My father was one of those people who were passionate about cars. He owned old models such as the Volkswagen and the Peugeot. From him, I acquired a love of cars,” he said.
His first ride to own was a Nissan Bluebird in 2001. Since then, he has owned several other cars.
Aside from the GMC, he is one of the few people in East Africa who own a Volkswagen Golf GTI 2021 model and a Proton X 70 2022 model.
His car collection also includes other high-end rides such as the Range Rover Sport 2019, a Toyota V8, a Toyota Harrier, and a Jeep Wrangler Sahara.
However, the GMC is his favorite ride because of its high-tech infotainment system, four-wheel drive system, comfort, and size.
Recently, he embarked on a journey from Nairobi, to Mombasa, Lungalunga, Tanga, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Mwanza, Musoma, Isibania, and back to Nairobi.
Almost 3500 kilometres.
Naturally, the vehicle has been attracting attention regionally because it is one of a kind.
“I am used to the attention it attracts. Everyone wants to see a new thing on the road. I get many questions about the cost of this car and how I imported it,” he said.
He expressed that the vehicle’s size might intimidate some, but it is surprisingly easy to drive and maintain.
“The GMC has a very good fuel consumption. It runs on Diesel. Its full tank is 100 litres. When I travel to Mombasa from Nairobi, I consume about half of that,” he said.
The only challenge is the spare parts, which he sources directly from Dubai.
For Ramadhan, whose dream car is a Rolls Royce Ghost, the GMC is not just a ride. It is a statement.