Toyota ignites auto world with new RAV-sized EV crossover, BZ4X – Newstrends
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Toyota ignites auto world with new RAV-sized EV crossover, BZ4X

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The attention of all automakers, dealers and fans of sensational new vehicles is focused on the forthcoming SEMA, the biggest aftermarket show in the world holding November 2-5, 2021 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, United States.
Ahead of the event, Toyota has revealed the new BZ4X, a RAV4-sized electric crossover, which is the first of seven vehicles that will be added to Toyota’s BZ sub-brand for electric vehicles by 2025.
The new vehicle was revealed on Friday is a small crossover similar in size to the top-selling RAV4, and it is due in the showrooms around mid-2022 as a 2023 model.
According to Motor Authority, the crossover was previewed in April by the BZ4X concept and carries that name into production. A Subaru twin to be called the Solterra, is also coming.
The BZ4X rides on a newly developed platform, dubbed e-TNGA. It’s the first dedicated-EV platform for Toyota, and expected to come in multiple models from Toyota (and Lexus) in the coming years.
Toyota says it plans to have 15 zero-emission vehicles in its lineup by 2025, of which seven would be from the BZ sub-brand.
The BZ4X unveiled is the version for the Japanese market but similar specifications for the version are expected in the US and possibly other markets.
There’s a single battery with a capacity of 71.4 kilowatt-hours and buyers can choose from a front-wheel-drive powertrain with 201hp or an all-wheel-drive setup with 214hp.


A top speed wasn’t mentioned but 0-62 mph acceleration takes 8.4 seconds with FWD and 7.7 seconds with AWD.
In both cases, Motor Authority note that it will be close to 300 miles based on the WLTP test cycle used overseas. This figure will likely be lower when measured using the tougher EPA cycle.
Charging at up to 150 kilowatts is said to be possible, which will enable an 80 per cent charge in 30 minutes. A roof-mounted solar panel will also be available in some markets.
Toyota says it focuses on delivering reliable performance throughout the life of the vehicle. For example, the BZ4X’s range should remain consistent even in cold winters, and the battery should also retain about 90 per cent of its capacity after 10 years (based on a usage rate of 15,000 miles per year).


The interior is a modern place, featuring minimalist styling and a large central screen for infotainment. A smaller screen serves as the instrument gauge, with Toyota doing away with the traditional gauge hood to give a clearer view as well as give the cabin an open and airy feeling.
Toyota says most markets will have a traditional steering wheel; the Chinese market will feature a yoke-style steering wheel (shown below). Thanks to steer-by-wire technology, where the traditional mechanical connection between the steering wheel and tyres are replaced by electric systems, lock-to-lock with the yoke wheel is set at around 150 degrees, meaning just one hand is required for tight turns.
Toyota says this feature will be added to more models in the future, including those sold outside of China.

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CNG conversion centres now 170, FG targets 200 Dec 31

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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.

“While you have government investing with policy, some of the infrastructure and intellectual property,” he said.

CNG conversion centres now 170, FG targets 200 Dec 31

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Coscharis, Toyota, Globe, Weststar, CFAO, others that win big at NAJA Auto Awards

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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

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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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