West Africa's Unbreakable Mercedes Taxi

His Mercedes 190 doesn't like the heat, but then neither does taxi driver Issiaka Zoungrana.
But he loves his old Sweetheart. And whoever loves, pushes through the difficult times, his resourceful nature means the two can carry on regardless of the obstacles.

For two decades the pair have been trying to earn a living on the streets of Ouagadougou. His German car has clocked over 1 million kilometers and there is life still left in his beloved machine. Issiaka has become self-sufficient when it comes to his prized car, able to repair on the fly. Against all odds, the two continue.

This is a tale of loyalty and resilience.

Report: Sasha Gankin
Camera: Sasha Gankin
Editor: Mike Trobridge
Music: Massa Kamba by Amadou Balaké

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REV - The Global Auto and Mobility Show from Deutsche Welle

#DWREV #THEDRIVER #WESTAFRICA

[DWREV]

Do you know a car that’s clocked as many Kilometers? Let us know in the comments.

[JimS]

Poor guy. You can hear the sadness in his words. His business is drying up, the cost of fuel is eroding his earnings, car is falling apart, city is getting too crowded. I wish him all the best.

[eisbr]

how did they manage to break literally everything? interior, exterior, i did not see one intact part

[mikeypence]

I am a Mercedes engineer and I am very proud that this car is still in service and has been working for longer than my life.
big love from Germany (^o^)

[ipadize]

i bet this car is 99% broken, but still able to move from place A to place B.

[kablg]

I'm not German but this is what I call ''Quality German Engineering''.

PS: Also love the classic design of the W201. Even in rough shape you know its a W201.

[MrLarsgren]

1 million km is pretty normal for old mercedes. the only amazing thing is how they managed to break everything else

[mohammadcheema]

Come on Mercedes - give this guy a new car and put his one in your museum. (P.s I wish you made cars that durable nowadays 😞)

[nolex]

Mercedes 190D 2.0 72hp (OM601) is an unbreakable Legend👌💪😎

[charlesbrown]

>unbreakable
>broke down twice the morning of filming
>needs roll start
>can’t run after 11am because it’s too hot outside

Lol

[mitch]

Back when Germany could build simple and reliable cars.

[bomberman]

My father 190D original engine done 1.6 million Km's, before the head corroded and was cheaper buy an used engine than repair the original one. Beside to that that engine still works. The chain is indestructible, stuff designed before the computer calculations and simulation, were just oversized for their scope. Ended to watch the video, didn't expect it was in that condition, it overheats, probably he's running without water at all. Starter engine broken, everythign broken. It probably leaks oil and water everywere, especially behind the highpressure fuel pump, 100% it leaks oil, and you need correct tools to dismount that.

[Dreamlink]

Same as those old Volvos with 2.4L engines, everything can break down but the engine and its gearbox will never let you stranded.

[thomasrpoulsen]

Great guy and and amazing car. How can I donate a new starter to him?

[Player-ubtg]

I like how he turns the wheel 360 degrees but the car only turns a little bit

[cino]

I remember the launch of the W201 in 1983. Woooow that was one sexy and very well built car from the start.... and still sexy in 2022, and many of them are still alive and kicking and traffic worthy today. Deutsche Gründlichkeit at it's best. I'm lucky to have an '88 190E and an '86 300SE... Love them! Both almost 40 years old and still driving like new.

[Hnji]

This is what my parents would get me if I asked for a “push-to-start” Mercedes

[filipvuk]

My father drove Mercedes Benz model T1 for 8 years and it came to 1.000.000 km, and he sold it to some guy back in 2000s hes still driving it unbelievable

[rezaismailmuzakkir]

Mercedes never sold these W201 190s in Indonesia, and even the base and diesel models costs half to almost the same as new C/A Classes, very contrasting to how 190s are treated abroad.

[KrushalP]

Wish I could afford to go out to Africa and fix this for him. Would be such an amazing experience and he will have a brand new taxi again 😭