Mahama’s comments can affect American car sales – Lartey Mensah

President John Dramani Mahama’s public pronouncements that he does not like American cars, specifically Ford, is expected to affect the sale of American cars in the country, branding expert Kelly Nii Lartey Mensah has said.

Mr Mahama, while addressing clergymen at the seat of government on Thursday June 23, in connection with the Ford expedition car gifted him by a Burkinabe contractor, which critics say make him conflicted, said: "I don't use Ford. I don't like American cars. I use Japanese cars. Toyota is my car."

Mr Lartey Mensah explained that given that this comment has been given extensive publication in both the traditional and social media, it is expected to negatively affect the sale of American cars because there may be some persons who idolise President Mahama, therefore will want to emulate his steps.

He told classfmonline.com in a telephone conversation that: “The president publicly announcing his preference of Toyota cars and disliking American cars can have a direct effect [on] future sales of American cars in Ghana."

He added: “His influence in this instance is God-like and I won’t be surprised if American cars sales decline rapidly in the coming years. It will just help people not to choose American cars...and rather increase the patronage of Toyota vehicles. It's the ultimate brand endorsement for Toyota.”