The story really starts in 1985, when Egypt's Ghabbour family first became involved in the manufacture of buses.
At this time, Karim Ghabbour was working with his father Sami, head of the family firm.
Karim is one of a very rare breed - an entrepreneur in the truest sense.
This happened in 1994, when MCV (Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles) was born. The company became, and remains, the general agent for Daimler AG in Egypt. Initially, the activities centered on the assembly of trucks from both Germany and Brazil.
In1996, MCV began building bus bodies to clothe Mercedes-Benz chassis and running gear. This latter activity soon became the principal focus of operations, developing at a remarkably fast pace.
At around the same time, a sister company, MIS ( Metal Industries of Salheya ) was set up, and began designing and building specialist trailers and superstructures ; these are often unique and, as such, reflect the group's willingness to listen to customers' ideas and then put them to work.
MCV's philosophy clearly works. As soon as the company had been established, the founders set themselves a straightforward mission. They would become the number one builder of buses and trucks in Egypt and the Middle East. This target was not only defined in terms of volume, but also in terms of quality. Straightforward, yes - and also extremely ambitious. Some industry watchers were skeptical. The fact that the mission became mission accomplished in a remarkably short time quickly silenced the skeptics. Mission became milestone, one of many in MCV's relatively short history.
As the company continued on its chosen path, it may have taken an occasional glance in the rear-view mirror, but it never looked back.
MCV's horizons were bound to widen. New territories were there to be charted. Export was a logical step.
Here, the established and successful network of Mercedes-Benz proved of considerable help. From the first tentative steps, MCV now exports to no less than 29 countries. Notable amongst these are the United Kingdom, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Sudan and Cuba - MCV has established a strong presence by setting up wholly owned subsidiaries. Cuba is of particular interest. MCV Commercial is a joint venture with Cuba's Transport Ministry ; the fact that MCV owns 51% of the enterprise makes this commercial relationship unique.
The future is another country, ever beckoning and presenting its own challenges. MCV is well set to meet them with the same pioneering spirit that so characterized the infant company in 1994.
