“While you have government investing with policy, some of the infrastructure and intellectual property,” he said.
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Toyota to introduce new budget car before December 31
- Honours DPR, Customs, First Bank, others
Toyota Nigeria Limited has revealed its plans to introduce to the market a new entry-level vehicle before the end of the year, its Managing Director, Mr Kunle Ade-Ojo, stated this in Lagos.
He said this at the 2020 edition of the company’s annual customers’ award event, held in Lekki, where the Department of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria Customs Service and First Bank of Nigeria, among others, were honoured for being loyal to the brand.
Ade-Ojo said the new entry-level vehicle would come “at a friendly price”.
The TNL MD however did not reveal the name of the new product and its other details.
He said also hinted that the company planned to “stage a fleet conference that will unveil plans being put together by the TNL to continue to serve the best interest of its teeming customers in the country.”
He assured customers of the company’s commitment to continue to meet their expectations at every customer touch point.
He thanked the customers for their continued patronage and Toyota dealers for their unwavering commitment to satisfy the customers.
A statement by the company said the TNL Chairman, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo, had earlier spoken about quality of the Toyota brand, which he noted was built “on a strong foundation of the ‘can-do spirit’.
He said notwithstanding the quality and performance of the brand, “We will continue to seek new ways to reach out to our numerous customers to fulfill our mandate to keep them happy and satisfied.”
The TNL chairman also said the annual award was designed to appreciate “our teeming corporate and individual customers who have been loyal to us through the years and not forgetting our indefatigable dealers that have been resolute in their quality of service delivery to our esteemed customers.”
The gesture, according to him, “is hinged on our philosophy of rewarding loyalty no matter the circumstance. We will push beyond new horizons to achieve set targets.”
The Head, Dealer Development and Special Projects, Mr Henry Ojuoko, thanked all winners for their commitment and encouraged others to be in the winner’s seat next time, adding that company looked forward to a bright and rewarding 2021.
It stated that the DPR won the Evergreen Customer of the Year award for its commitment and consistent patronage of Toyota products and services over the years.
The Nigeria Customs Service came first in the customer of the year category; the First Bank was declared the first runner-up while another bank, Guaranty Trust Bank emerged the second runner-up.
Representatives of all the winning organizations expressed appreciation for TNL’s recognition and reward of their patronage.
They assured that they would continue to patronise the TNL urged the firm to remain consistent in its delivery of quality service and products.
Prizes were also presented to auto journalists that proved their mettle and professionalism in their objective reporting of activities/events in the automobile industry and the TNL activities. Rasheed Bisiriyu formerly of Punch newspapers came first in the Motoring Journalist of the Year category; Theodore Opara of Vanguard newspapers emerged first runner-up while Mike Ochonma of BusinessDay was declared the second runner-up.
According to the statement, the TNL remains the sole distributor of Toyota products for Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Japan in Nigeria.
It said, “The company is well-positioned pan Nigeria to provide industry-best after-sale service in the areas of genuine parts, vehicles servicing/repairs and sales of Toyota vehicles approved for Nigerian roads/environment by TMC Japan.
“The TNL has enjoyed the patronage of innumerable number of customers since inception while the organisation continuously seeks the best approach and technology to meet customers’ needs and aspirations.
“Consequently, the TNL on annual basis rewards its loyal customers that have remained resolute in their commitment to the brand and its services. Year 2020 was not an exception despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the organisation made good to reward its loyal customers.”
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CNG conversion centres now 170, FG targets 200 Dec 31
CNG conversion centres now 170, FG targets 200 Dec 31
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGI) on Wednesday announced that the CNG conversion centres in the country are now 170.
It was upbeat that the 170 CNG conversion centres in Nigeria would increase to 200 at the end of December 2024.
The centres hit 170 with the commissioning of Portland Gas Conversion centres in Kado, Abuja.
Speaking with reporters, the PCNGI Chief Executive, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, said the P-CNGI which has doubled its target for 2024, is hopeful of hitting 500 conversion centres next year.
His words: “Before the end of this year, I promise in the next two weeks, we will get to 200. We are already looking for and certifying at least an additional 35 to 40 on our record.
“I believe we will get to 40 at the end of this year. And that is double our target. You remember this time last year, I told you our target was 100 and now 200.
“Next year, we have set a target of 500 for us and I believe we will blow.”
He recalled that from the seven conversion centres of 2023, there are now 170 centres in Nigeria.
According to him, all the conversion centres are owned by private-sector investors.
“We went from seven conventional centres, that with these now, I easily would say we are around 170.
“So today, from seven to 170, there is not a single one of those that were built by the Federal Government of Nigeria,” he said.
He urged Portland Gas Limited to increase its working hours from 24 to the present 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the Portland Gas Limited, Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Folajimi Mohammed said the workshop which opens 12 hours daily, can convert a car within one hour.
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He said it is a full state-of-the-art centre, comprising the mechanical, electrical, calibration, and of course which cannot be done without gas.
He said: “So what we do here is a Turkey solution, where from the conversion part of it, you can make sure that when you leave here within an hour, thereabouts, you are able to make sure that you have a fully converted CNG car.
“And when I mean fully converted CNG car, I mean, it is still a hybrid. You can have the option to switch from petrol to gas where you want to.”
According to him, the tanks that are presently installed in the vehicles are durable for 20 years.
He said since the infrastructure is limited in the country, it is advisable to convert the vehicles in a manner they can use other fuels in addition to CNG.
Mohammed said, “We know the gas infrastructure is just about to improve. “Well, for now, what we have, the limited availability of the infrastructure, by making sure that you don’t do 100% conversion. I can always switch to petrol in the event of any emergencies.”
He said being methane, the gas is very safe as it is lighter than air.
Besides, Oluwagbemi said a free interstate transportation will be provided in the Federal Capital Territory between during the Yuletide.
According to him, six buses will be added to the fleet.
He said, “You know in Abuja today we have 16 buses running Gwagwalada to Keffi and Nyanya as well as in Nigeria that project is already ongoing and it will be expanded to interstate this week.
“We are going to put additional six buses to run interstate here in Abuja and neighbouring cities. We are just providing free transportation programme during the yuletide period.”
Speaking, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Suleiman Halilu recalled that the CNG journey started a long time ago.
He added that the CNG of Portland is a first of its kind in terms of partnership and private sector.
He said in the partnership, the government provides the policy, infrastructure, and intellectual property.
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Coscharis, Toyota, Globe, Weststar, CFAO, others that win big at NAJA Auto Awards
Coscharis, Toyota, Globe, Weststar, CFAO, others that win big at NAJA Auto Awards
Globe Motors, Coscharis Motors, Toyota Nigeria, CFAO, Weststar Associates and Lanre Shittu (LSM) are among big winners at the 2024 NAJA (Nigerian Automotive Journalists Association) Auto Awards.
The prestigious event, which held on Wednesday December 11 at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos recognized various categories within the industry, ranging from vehicle innovation to service excellence.
As earlier announced Mikano Motors’ Changan CS55 beat Toyota Corolla and Kia Rio to win the coveted 2024 car-of-the-year prize.
Globe Motors emerged as the Most Resilient Company of the Year, while Coscharis Motors bagged the Multi-Luxury Brand of the Year along with the luxury SUV of the year with Range Rover Autobiography. Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) and MD/CEO of Lanre Shittu Motors (LSM) were honoured as Auto Company of the Decade and Auto Personality of the Year respectively.
Also, CFAO won the Outstanding After-Sale Service, Product Launches of the Year with the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and Suzuki Vitara, and the Most Enterprising Auto Company, while Chief Chidi Anyaegbu MFR (Founder, Chisco Motors) was recognized as the Transport icon of the Year; Mrs. Karima Okunola of Mikano Motors bagged the Auto Marketing Manager of the Year.
The companies were lauded for their commitment to providing quality vehicles and top-notch aftersales services, which have contributed to their solid reputation in the Nigerian auto market over the years.
Other notable winners included Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, which was celebrated for its pioneering role in local vehicle production; Nord took home CNG-powered mini bus brand, and A9 launch recognition.
Weststar’s Mercedes-Benz was declared luxury brand of the year and the S-Class won luxury car of the year.
Carloha with its handling of Chery was adjudged the most innovative company of the year, just as the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro launch received a recognition.
While Dangote Sinotruk won the heavy duty truck manufacturer of the year, Lanre Shittu’s JAC was again awarded the heavy duty truck of the year. Taiwo Shittu, MD of the LSM emerged Auto Personality of the Year. His later father and founder of the company received a posthumous award.
RT Briscoe bagged the workshop of the year award; Dana Motors’ Kia Sonet won the best compact SUV prize, and the mini bus assembler of the year went to Jet System.
In his speech, Chairman of NAJA, Mike Ochonma, said, “This year’s NAJA Auto Awards highlights not just the achievements of the big names in the industry, but also the rising stars who are shaping the future of Nigeria’s automotive landscape.”
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Nigeria’s auto industry in limbo over policy delay – LCCI sectoral head
Nigeria’s auto industry in limbo over policy delay – LCCI sectoral head
Nigeria’s automotive industry is in limbo due to prolonged delay in enacting the required law to give investors the right direction.
Head of the Auto Sectoral Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Kunle Jaiyesinmi, stated this, noting that the industry was being allowed to stagnate, making it difficult to galvanise the overall development of the Nigerian economy
Jaiyesinmi who is Deputy Managing Director of CFAO Motors, spoke in Lagos on the sidelines of the 2024 Nigeria Auto Industry Awards organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA).
He said, “For now, we are in limbo. We don’t know what is happening to the (auto industry) policy; whether it’s with the Executive or it has gone to the National Assembly. We don’t have information on the stage that the policy is. I think NADDC is coming up with a stakeholders’ meeting maybe they would give us a very detailed information on the policy.”
In his assessment of the performance of the business this year, he lamented that the macroeconomic challenges including the high exchange rates and inflation were adversely affecting vehicle salesmmm
He said, “2024 has provided a topsy-turvy ride looking at the state of the economy. The purchasing power has been so much eroded (due to) the depreciation of the naira (the exchange rate).
“Prices have risen to a level that most private consumers cannot really afford it (new car). You notice that the major corporates are really suffering. You can imagine how much they lost in terms of exchange rate.
“So that has really impacted the procurement of new vehicles… We have more of automobile maintenance service rather than new sales.
“If you look at the market figure, it has so much reduced compared to what we had been having when the exchange rate was around N450, N480. So it’s not been a very good year for automobile business.
Jaiyesinmi also spoke on the high interest, which is over 33%; as well the recently announced government-back N20 billion auto finance.
He said, “Automobile loan is a no-go area for consumers. It’s a bit tough now. Reliance is on government now and it’s not everybody that can do government business.
“We are just looking at 2025 to be a better year going by the appreciation of the naira in recent times. We are just praying that it can be sustained. If we are able to get that into the new year maybe vehicle prices would reduce and based on the government providing very good enabling environment for businesses to thrive.”
Speaking on the N20bn auto finance scheme by the credit corporation (CreditCorp), he said, “The N20bn scheme is even belated because when the Auto Policy started about 10 years ago, the 35 per cent tariff being charged on fully built vehicles, the understanding we had then was that part of it would go to the auto financing and the other part would go to automobile assemblers’ facility.
“In 10 years, nothing happened and we know how much has been collected by the Federal Government from that levy.
“So N20bn is a paltry amount and the scheme is coming up a bit late. Looking at the local assembling, how many assemblers are we really having in Nigeria? Those of us that started eight, nine years ago, almost all of us have really closed shop.”
He however expressed optimism that the new Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, would turn things around.
“I believe she should be able to drive this policy. She should try as much as possible to run away from the era of deceit. She should face reality and I believe as a realist, her tenure would portend a good tiding for the automobile business,” he said.
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