Future of Nigerian auto industry bright, says NADDC DG Osanipin after visiting Innoson assembly plant in Nnewi – Newstrends
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Future of Nigerian auto industry bright, says NADDC DG Osanipin after visiting Innoson assembly plant in Nnewi

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1 year ago

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Future of Nigerian auto industry bright, says NADDC DG Osanipin after visiting Innoson assembly plant in Nnewi

 

Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Oluwemimo Osanipin, recently visited Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd (IVM), Nnewi, and was received by the Chairman of company, Innocent Chukwuma.

Innoson thus became the first automaker the new DG visited since his appointment in October. During the tour which took him to the various sections of the existing factory, as well as the site of a new plant under construction, Osanipin gave his impression and commented on other issues in the industry. Excerpts:

What are your thoughts having seen the Innoson factories in Nnewi?

I have visited the Innoson factory where sedans, SUVs, buses and other vehicles, are being manufactured here in Nnewi. I have also come here to see another massive factory that is under construction in another part of the town. As you can see, this new plant under construction occupies a land space of about 20, 000 square metres. That is one. Yet another one of the same size is being constructed next to it. I have come to inspect and see the huge investments, the huge capital being invested Innoson, and know how we can come in and partner with them to know how to move the sector forward. And this is because there is a lot of potential in the industry. From what I have seen today, I am impressed. And let me say that I am positively surprised, because I never thought we had this kind of investment here. I never knew we had this kind of expertise existing here at Innoson, and I never knew that a lot has been going on here in the industry. I have been hearing of Innoson and I have been seeing a lot of Innoson vehicles on the road, but now I think I have a better understanding of what IVM is all about.

Having visited and seen what is going on at Innoson, what should the nation expect from you in terms of impact?

The impact from this visit will be more partnership. Now that we know the capability of Innoson and know their capacity and growth plan, we are in a better position to look forward to more partnership. From what we have seen, by February or March, this new factory under construction would have been completed and commissioned. That means that long buses and trucks can be produced here. So, we are going to have at Innoson two separate factories that can produce different ranges of products. And again today, I saw a CNG-powered long bus that can go more than 1000 kilometres on a fully-filled up cylinder. These are eye-openers for us. These are things that we did not know before now that have been happening here at Innoson. So, we want to expose all these to Nigerians. We need to make these things known to everybody in Nigeria, and bring them to the knowledge of the government and make them known to the fleet operators. Let me tell you that we did a study on the cost of fuel per kilometre: While PMS (Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol or gasoline) is N135 to N137 per kilometre if you use a bus, it will cost between N37 to N39 if it is a CNG vehicle. This is a message we want to pass to the average fleet operators, and tell them: ‘Come and try this. Come and use these CNG buses manufactured by Innoson.’ So, we are going to talk to the fleet operators and see how we can bring them together. We are going to talk to every other stakeholder and see how all of us can work together to grow the industry.

 

How do you intend to help the auto plants in Nigeria like Innoson source foreign exchange?

We all know the Federal Government’s policy concerning foreign exchange today. It is about encouraging the export of more locally made products. It is part of the discussion I have been having with the Innoson chairman. We can produce more and export to earn foreign exchange. Again, it needs financing. I cannot come here now and promise this or that. But what I can say is that whatever we can do in terms of support, we will do it; even if it means talking to other financial institutions that finance green energy, we can bring them together.

With companies like Innoson partnering with NADDC, will you say the future of the automotive industry is getting brighter?

The future of the industry is bright. We have not done anything yet. There are a lot of opportunities in the industry. We only need people with courage and people that love the country. If Innoson doesn’t love his country and doesn’t’ have the courage, he won’t  be making all these investments. If you don’t love your country, you won’t be doing all that. If we have people like Innoson, then we need to support as a country; support our own, and support made-in-Nigeria vehicles and made-in-Nigeria goods. For me, it is part of what I stand for. I stand for made-in-Nigeria vehicles, made in Nigeria goods. I asked what is the percentage of local content in the production of that bus we use in our airports, and I was told it is between 60 and 70 percent. Gradually, we hope to get up to 80 percent, and from there, we know we can achieve more. From what we have seen today at Innoson, the future of the automotive industry is very bright with the support of everyone, all of us. You don’t say you cannot support. In every little way that you can, try as much as possible to support. Talk more about made-in-Nigeria vehicles. By the time all of us support it, the industry will grow.

Innoson started manufacturing CNG-powered vehicles two years ago and is so far the only automaker doing so in Nigeria, but IVM is not among those partnering with the Federal Government to produce the buses to be rolled out following fuel subsidy removal. Is there anything NADDC can do about it?

Let me say one thing. We are not involved in the procurement process, but having said that, whatever assistance we can render by putting forward the manufacturers we have in our list, we will do it. We have the automotive manufacturers which Innoson is part of. So, we are going to push forward our members; that is, those companies that we licensed. We are going to talk to every agency and we are going to talk to the government. We are going to put their names and products forward too. Many people don’t know some of these things, like the CNG. So, we are going to take it out and let people see it, and from there, I am sure in the next round, we will be able to push for patronage for all our members, including IVM.

You took over as the DG at a time the auto industry is at a critical state. What would be your priority in the next few months?

First, what I need to do in the next few months is to put us forward. I mean to put us out there. Let Nigerians know our capability in the auto industry. A lot of things happening in the auto industry are not being told to the public. So first of all, we need to put our better face out there, so that people will know what we have there. Secondly, I know and I talk to some people and the question they ask is: ‘What about after-sale service?’ Innoson knows and I discussed it with him. I am happy that he is working along that line. We are going to encourage every member of the industry to pay more attention to after-sale support. Apart from that, we are going to encourage more local components. And I am happy Innoson is already doing that. What he is doing is what we want to extend to every other member of industry. Let’s improve more on local content.

Is giving legal backing to auto policy a priority? The Jonathan administration introduced it, but did not sign it into law. Buhari was in office for eight years, but didn’t sign it either. Will it be one of our priorities?

I don’t want to put it among what we are going to achieve in three, four, five months. Anything that involves law, you may not be able to put a timeline to it. However, we will continue to push. By next week (this week), we will be having a meeting with all the auto assemblers and manufacturers in Lagos. We are going to discuss the NAIDP (Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan). As I mentioned before, we want it to become law because it is when it has become law that it will encourage more people to invest in the sector.

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How to lower fuel consumption of your car

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2 days ago

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March 15, 2025

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How to lower fuel consumption of your car

When President Bola Tinubu announced an end to fuel subsidy at the inception of his regime in 2023, many motorists were jolted by the expected impact it would have on the cost of keeping their vehicles on the road.

Many Nigerians were also concerned about the impact it would have on the cost of living, especially the prices of goods, services and transportation.
And their fears were genuine; prices of goods went up astronomically and there were complaints of hardship all over the country.

This led to a swift drop on the sales of big cars, especially Sport Utility Vehicles. Many Nigerians quickly parked these cars in their homes and some immediately put up theirs for sale while others quickly bought smaller cars that they presumed would consume less fuel. They forgot that the rainy season would not be fair to the roads and their new small sedans, especially the bumpers and underneath the cars.

Those living in flood-prone areas like Lekki and some seasonally flooded areas in Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa states can attest to the advantages of SUVs over sedans from their expenses. With some of these expected challenges, it didn’t take long for the average Nigerian motorist to adjust and live with the negative impacts of the fuel subsidy removal.

Though the challenge persists, coupled with the poor state of the roads across the country, it has been almost impossible for Nigerians to totally do away with their big cars and SUVs which are renowned for higher fuel consumption. It is the classical case of choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea.

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Today, Vanguard offers you some tips on how to ensure maximum fuel economy in your vehicles at a time like this. It is clear that by improving your car’s fuel economy, you’re helping to reduce the drain on your wallet. With some simple driving tips and habits, your fuel can take you further. A combination of good driving habits, and proper vehicle maintenance of your car is essential.

The Tips

*When driving, accelerate and brake gently, quick starts and stops waste fuel, but smooth driving boosts your kilometres per litre. Driving at slower speeds leads to better fuel efficiency.

Reducing speed by 10-20 kph can help. Keep a steady speed, you may use your cruise control on motorways because when you drive at a consistent speed, you save fuel.

•Watch the traffic ahead, it will help you predict what other drivers will do or intend to do. This helps you to avoid braking and speeding up.

•Also avoid idling your engine for long periods even when it is stationary as it wastes fuel. Switch off the engine if you need to stop for more than a minute.

•Also limit short journeys, and be aware that cold starts use more fuel.

•As a motorist, ensure that your tyres are appropriately gauged. Soft tyres cause drag and waste fuel. Check pressures often and inflate correctly.

Many drivers don’t know that proper inflation of their car tyres contributes significantly to the fuel economy. Under inflated tyres have a higher rolling resistance on the road. This means that your tyres generate more friction and rolling resistance and will increase fuel consumption.

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If your four tyres are underinflated by 10 psi, this could increase your fuel consumption by 10 per cent. Car manufactures always have the recommended tyre gauge inscribed on the drivers door frame. Gauge your tyre accordingly and reduce your fuel consumption.

•Correct wheel alignment is vital. It reduces tyre wear and drag. This also saves fuel.

•Many motorists carry all sorts of things in their boots which they hardly need and this adds to the weight of the car, this should be avoided. Note that every extra 50kg of load in your car increases fuel consumption by about two to three percent.

Some used cars from abroad come with a heavy bar attached to the rear for pulling boats and other heavy objects from where they have been imported which is hardly needed in this part of the world. It is advised that you remove them to avoid unnecessary weight.

Some people however believe that this serves as protection when another vehicle hits them from behind, unknown to them that they are paying more to fuel their cars. Lighten your load and remove extra weight from the car. Less weight means better fuel economy.

•Also, reduce drag by removing roof racks as they increase wind resistance which wastes fuel.

•Use your air-conditioning system. Driving with an air-conditioner has an advantage to fuel economy but most drivers think otherwise.

Apart from keeping the interior of your car clear of dust and ensuring the safety of the driver from attacks, it also saves fuel. Driving with windows down at a speed faster than 80km/h causes a lot of wind resistance and more fuel consumption. It is more fuel efficient to drive with your air-conditioner on.

•Maintain the right speed. Avoid over speeding and going slowly too.

While both have safety consequences, they also have an impact on your fuel consumption. It has been established that on highways, your engine works hard to overcome wind resistance.

This means that you will burn up to 15 per cent more fuel at 100km/h and 25 per cent more at 110km/h. On the other way round, if you drive at a speed slower than 50km/h your engine would drop to a lower gear thus using up more fuel. It is advised that driving between 50km/h and 90km/h gives optimal fuel efficiency.

•Many people accelerate their cars as if they are running at Formula 1 Race thereby wasting their fuel unknowingly. Avoid revving your accelerator to a high revolution per minute (RPM). Your engine uses less fuel when it is revolving slower at a lower RPM.

•It is also important to note that aggressive braking is not only a disadvantage to the brake pad but increases fuel consumption.

Slamming on the brakes increases fuel consumption as the car needs to accelerate again. Give a reasonable distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. If you have been driven by a pilot before, you would understand what it means to drive with caution.

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They are very cautious of the vehicles in front of them and avoid them from afar. I am sure that if we take count of professionals who hardly get involved in traffic accidents, the pilot would take the number spot.

•Avoid hard acceleration when moving your car from complete stop or climbing hills as it increases fuel consumption. Most people who drive vehicles with automatic transmission hardly know the advantage of one special feature in the car called cruise control.

If you are driving an automatic car, you can make use of cruise control to keep your speed constant. But if you are driving a manual car, maintain a higher gear when appropriate. This ensures that your engine goes through less revolutions per minute, RPM and ensures less fuel consumption.

•Driving in traffic causes higher fuel consumption. Stop-start traffic puts a lot of pressure on your engine and burns more fuel. Avoid peak traffic if possible. Turn off your engine when it is parked. As long as your engine is on, the fuel is burning. The choice is yours to keep the engine steaming when that car is not moving. It is your fuel that is burning which you can use to cover some kilometers.

•Regular servicing with quality engine oil is key to the longevity of your engine. If your engine is poorly maintained, it will lead to sludge and corrosion build-up which will prevent the engine from working smoothly. Regular maintenance is key.

•Follow your vehicle’s schedule, a healthy engine works better. A clean air filter lets the engine breathe freely. Good airflow improves fuel use. Use the right oil type to reduce friction and boost engine performance. When buying a new car, think about fuel efficiency. Pick a model that fits your needs. If your car has a fuel-saving mode, then use it.

How to lower fuel consumption of your car

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Nigeria dominating Africa spare parts market, says ASPAMDA boss

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3 days ago

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March 14, 2025

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Nigeria dominating Africa spare parts market, says ASPAMDA boss

Nigeria has become a strong force in Africa’s spare parts market, President of Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA), Hon. Ngozi Emechebe, has said.
He however lamented the decline in auto spare parts manufacturing plants in the country.
He said Nigeria could be a global player in the auto parts production with the right investments in the sector.
The ASPAMDA president spoke at the opening of the ongoing Lagos Motor Fair/Autoparts Expo at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island.
He said, “We have taken over Angola, Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Senegal and many other markets and ASPAMDA is the place to visit.”
The Chinese government, he said, knows the impact of ASPAMDA to their companies; “so Nigeria should wake up. If we are serious, we will take over the world economy.”
He said Nigeria almost got to a point of assembling cars from spare parts produced locally at a time.
“At Nnewi, there were a lot of auto spare part manufacturing companies then. At a time we were about assembling vehicles before things crumbled but thank God, Innoson Motors is doing it again,“ he said.
The ASPAMDA boss showered encomium on President Bola Tinubu-led administration for making efforts to bring back activities in the sector.
He said, “With the way the country is going now, many companies are gradually starting production in the country again.”
Commending the organizers of the Lagos Motor Show for resilience in sustaining the expo over the years, Hon Ngozi said, “Mr Ifeanyi Agwu, the organiser of this expo deserves a thumb up for bringing spare parts makers from across the world to come and showcase their products to our members and Nigerian customers.”
According to him, before the commencement of the expo some years back, ASPANMDA members used to travel to Europe, Japan, Taiwan and other parts of the world in search of companies to do business with.
“But with the spare parts expo, the various parts makers have been brought to Nigeria under one roof to meet with our members and do thriving business,” he said.
This, he said, had saved his members the cost of flight, hotel accommodation, as well as time and eliminated stress arising from flying the long distance to meet with manufacturers.
He recalled that some years ago, his members used to travel to Taiwan to buy spare parts “but when the business started to flourish, and the products started gaining recognition, Taiwan shut their doors against us and raised the prices of goods which made us to turn to China”.
He prayed that one day, China too should close their doors to Nigeria and force us to develop our own products.
Emechebe predicted that Nigeria will take over the world spare parts market in the near future. I pray that “China should close their doors to us so that we can grow” he said.
The ASPAMDA boss also appealed to the Federal Government to look into the high taxes and duties being paid by Nigerian businessmen which he said are killing local manufacturers.
He said, “ It is cheaper to import finished products than to produce locally in Nigeria as most of the companies are relocating to neighbouring countries due to unfavourable business conditions like high taxes, duties, energy and other infrastructure,” he said.

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Three electric vehicles on display steal show at Lagos Motor Fair

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3 days ago

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March 14, 2025

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Three electric vehicles on display steal show at Lagos Motor Fair

Three automobile manufacturing companies are exhibiting full Electric Vehicles (EVs) under one roof at the Lagos Motor Fair taking place at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island.

The unprecedented display of EVs at any auto fair in Nigeria is an indication that the Federal Government’s crusade to shift focus to green cars to save the environment and high cost of fuel is striking the right cord.

Most people at the fair ground visited the EV display arena and were excited by the quality and versatility of the designs.

The three-day motor show/ auto parts exhibition which started on Wednesday is expected to end today (Friday).

So far, the fair has made a lot of difference with the exhibition of the electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, motorbikes and CNG vehicles.

The Electric Vehicles look beautiful in different colours, all have Chinese origin and available in four and five seaters with superb finishing.

Leading the park is Taocars which displayed two models out of their three models available in Nigeria. The Large and Medium sized Sedans boast of array of features that are tempting to resist by prospective electric car buyers, according to a report by Vanguard.

Managing Director Taocars, Mr Moise Niu told Vanguard that their range of Electric Vehicles can cover several kilometers before recharge. He described the vehicles as trendy, rugged, durable and easy to maintain.

The Marketing Manager of the company Mr Ifeanyi Ugbuaja who was also on ground to explain the features of the vehicles said the Electric Vehicles are pocket-friendly and offers luxury at its peak, in addition to being noiseless.

Also on display were the Bestune models which come as mini vehicles but with amazing spacious interior and features. The model known as fourfold charm and also described as favorite choice is a three door mini car. The company said it is built for fun, safe for all, easy to drive with great look.

Bestune xiaoma is a product of FAW Automobile which is already a known name in the Nigeria truck vehicle segment.

However the Cynosure of all eyes at the fair is Benlg Electric Motorcycles which comes in different sizes and designs. The Electric motorbike which were displayed by Benlg Eletric Motorcycle Nigeria Ltd include the Tank, Anan, Boxer and outstanding. The company also builds Electric tricycles and has capacity to produce 10,000 Motorbikes monthly.

The Managing Director of the Company Mr Leon Nie who said that they were just starting production at their plant in Shagamu, explained that the company has the capacity to meet Nigeria’s motorbike needs.

“Our motorcycles are totally Electric and we want to settle for the production of two and three wheelers as Nigeria EV market is just starting.

Others are the Geely plug-in-hybrid electric vehicle being displayed by Icheta which looks more like a Luxury sedan with its smart interior.

Kia Motors is also displaying its GNG technology at the Motor fair with the CNG powered Rio Sedan.

The CNG vehicles are known for their environment friendly and fuel efficiency which is 50 percent less than petrol.

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