Our Approach

Our approach starts with listening to our local partners to understand their needs. We have offered solutions as simple as a single BUV purchase all the way to partner development of a micro-factory to build BUVs. We strive to offer our solution at the lowest cost possible. In order to do this, we must be practical, enterprising and collaborative in everything we do.

BUV is Practical

  • We have designed an appropriate and timely solution to the widespread rural transportation problem.
  • We emphasize durability…the vehicle has to be as tough as the rocks it drives upon.
  • We have a monitoring and evaluation system to measure our impact and constantly make improvements.
  • We recognize that constantly monitoring customer experience and making improvements is the best route to achieving a shared success with our stakeholders.

BUV is Enterprising

  • As a social enterprise we prioritize finding the various business models that can optimize profits and conserve resources.
  • We are committed, alongside our partners, to achieving positive transportation outcomes through professional service.
  • We challenge preconceptions towards the role of transport in combating poverty.  We challenge the status quo in order to achieve long-term change.

BUV is Collaborative

  • We are focused on our partners and customers.
  • We operate across a number of countries and cultures. Our solutions are intended to be managed by local people so that the skills we build stay in country.
  • We work to highlight the benefits of basic transport solutions to our stakeholders.
  • We recognize that there is more impact through sharing our knowledge rather than through trying to achieve our vision single-handedly.

Our Approach to Design

  • We strive to make the motor vehicle as SIMPLE as possible. It must be easy to build, easy to repair, and easy to use.
  • Commercial Intent – It must have a very high payload to weight ratio. We view it as a COMMERCIAL vehicle, geared toward business.
  • We want reliable parts that are easy to obtain….so we use automotive parts. We concentrate our automotive parts in the cargo-bed area where loads are high. We expect the chassis to last 15 years in rural Africa (where 5 years is the norm)
  • We use an air-cooled diesel engine: We use the most POPULAR compact air-cooled diesel in the world. The engine has electric start and the safety of pull start as well.
  • We use common materials such as mild steel and local wood.
  • We value and emphasize safety in design. We constantly think about of how the vehicle gets used in real life (this goes well beyond its intended use as a cargo vehicle).
  • We greatly value input from end-users, field trials, and prospective customers.
  • We pivot as we learn. Our vehicle has evolved through several designs over the last 20 years, each more capable than its predecessor.
  • We design with ease of manufacturing in mind. Straight cuts and simple angles are valued over flowing contours and good looks. Brawn over beauty.
  • We design with an eye toward small farmers and what rural transport service provides.
  • We esteem the owner-operator and want them to be successful. How can we make them the most successful via vehicle design?
  • If anything is not critical to the functioning of the vehicle, it is designated as an an “option” or it is removed from the vehicle.
  • We aim to offer two different capacity models from one vehicle platform design (similar to Ford F150 and F350 pickup product line).

Lessons Learned Over the Past 20 Years

  • The BUV is indeed a tremendous blessing to rural villages, especially those with limited access to transport services.
  • Certain components have succeeded beyond expectations: automotive parts in the payload area, our compact/high-torque power platform, the air-cooled diesel engine and CVT transmission.
  • Rent-to-own Drivers have provided excellent feedback on how to improve the vehicle. Missionaries have served as our “early adopters” and we love working with them.
  • Regarding rentals and asset sharing, the BUV must be “rented” WITH a trained driver. One cannot just turn the vehicle over to anyone.
  • Peer pressure works great for the down-payment (i.e. family members naturally help keep tabs on the driver if they loaned funds to him/her.)
  • Local stakeholders (i.e. the buyers, the BUV factories, the BUV fleets) do not benefit from IAT’s shotgun approach to sales. IAT needs to focus our sales in certain regions and countries when possible.
  • We must deliver VALUE. Cost Creep can occur so EASILY. Complexity snow balls into costs and hidden costs. We have to be vigilant about efficient design. Ultimately, this translates into vehicles that generate profit.
  • Quick trials have been worthwhile, even when they fail. Unlike the big auto, we will quickly test a vehicle in “real life” scenarios to get insightful feedback early in the process. We use a common-sense approach and continuously wrestle with what might constitute reasonable safety without spiking costs
    beyond reach of our customers.
  • Mission Groups that send ocean containers are very open to including BUVs on their container for other mission groups (sometime for a fee, sometimes for free).
  • Training is time-consuming and challenging but necessary…whether regarding the vehicle, the business, maintenance, or the manufacturing process.
  • We must ensure that vehicle financing is available for the local customers. We also need to encourage asset-sharing programs and sales to co-ops as a way to seed the marketplace.

Our Engineers

  • Our engineers love mechanical things…especially vehicles. Several of them have spent considerable time in Africa. In their spare time, some like to restore vehicles or go off-roading. All have a heart of using their talents to bless the less fortunate.
  • We want to refine the BUV into the “Model T” for Africa. The purpose is not to get rich, but to bless the continent. Through design and business, we hope to put a spotlight on the Lord and bless His children.