Mini car poses new home-grown challenge to Egypt's auto rickshaw

Cairo - Prices of imported products have soared since Egypt devalued its currency in November.

In his workshop near Cairo's pyramids, Ahmed Saeed Omar has manufactured a mini four-wheeled vehicle that he hopes will fill a gap in the market.
Omar's "mini car", a rectangular vehicle made of a solid steel body which seats up to six people, is cheaper than the imported auto rickshaw - not much more than a covered three-wheel scooter with a passenger bench - because it is almost entirely locally produced.
Prices of imported products have soared since Egypt devalued its currency in November.
A rickshaw can cost around 38,000 Egyptian pounds ($2,105) and has a 175cc engine, while Omar's mini car costs 34,000 pounds and has 300cc engine. "This is a better alternative to the (rickshaw), more cost-efficient and more spacious," Omar, 35, said.
Three-wheeled rickshaws are widespread in many Egyptian cities, usually in neighbourhoods with narrow alleyways, and are mostly imported from India.

• MENA