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Innoson confident Tinubu’s CNG initiative, other reforms will stabilise economy

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Innoson confident Tinubu’s CNG initiative, other reforms will stabilise economy

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd (IVM), Chief (Dr) Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma, CON, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative will be a success and bring succour to the Nigerian people.

According to him, the CNG has many advantages over the current reliance of fossil fuels, adding that the initiative along with other intervention programmes of the current administration would stabilise and strengthen the nation’s economy.

Chief Chukwuma therefore pleaded with Nigerians to be patient and wait for the government’s initiatives to start yielding dividends.

The Innoson founder spoke shortly after a closed-door meeting with the President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, on Thursday, August 8.

He believes the number one citizen would make the country better than he met it.

Chief among the advantages of CNG-powered vehicles, according Chukwuma, is comparatively cheaper price which will considerably drive down transportation costs.

He said, “The government’s initiative on CNG is the best idea for this country because there are a lot of benefits, and it is those benefits I saw before I started the factory to produce vehicles on CNG.”

Chukwuma also said that very soon, Nigerians would be seeing Innoson buses on the road in various parts of the country following the “fruitful discussions” with President Tinubu.

He said, “People must be patient. I know how this President behaves. Whatever we want, we will see the better side of Nigeria through his initiatives. I plead with everybody to calm down for him, because we will see a better Nigeria from Tinubu.

“So, let Nigerians give him a chance, because I believe that everything will be okay.

“The way I see him, he wants the best for this country. So, I am encouraging everyone to be patient and not destroy public infrastructure. There’s no benefit in destroying our things.”

He also expressed optimism that the meeting with the President would result in the patronage of IVM CNG vehicles by the Federal Government.

“Yes, government is doing its best with Innoson vehicles,” he confirmed. “In a short while, everywhere you go you will see Innoson Motors.”

He spoke on Innoson’s pathfinder role in the production of CNG vehicles in Nigeria, saying, “I started CNG about two years ago. I was the first to start it in Nigeria.

“My visit here today is on the CNG vehicle issues. I have discussed with him. And in a short time, the masses will start seeing CNG buses on the road.”

President Tinubu who received the Innoson founder in the presence of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Chief Wale Edu, was said to have commended Chief Chukwuma and his Nnewi auto plant for their great achievements since the factory was commissioned in 2010 as Nigeria’s first indigenous auto manufacturer.

The President reportedly informed Chief Chukwuma that he had been getting very positive and commendable reports about his auto company, especially the wide range of quality vehicles it had been producing for Nigeria.

However, auto industry analysts the Chief Chukwuma’s visit to Aso Rock to heal the wound of the ‘injustice’ done to Innoson Vehicles by the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNG-I) implementation committee recently.

It can be recalled that only a few months ago, despite being the first CNG vehicles manufacturer in Nigeria, the PCNG-I committee ironically shunned the Nnewi plant – the pioneer autogas vehicles manufacturer – in the award of multi-billion naira contracts for the production of thousands of ‘palliative’ buses following the removal of fuel subsidy.

In 2021, Innoson became the first auto maker in Nigeria to commence the manufacture of CNG vehicles in Nigeria with hybrid (CNG/diesel) long buses produced for some customers in the oil and gas sector.

A batch of IVM city buses was officially rolled out in April, 2022 at the company’s factory in Nnewi, Anambra State.

Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) led by its president, Otunba Francis Meshioye, and the Director General, Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, attended the event.

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WMotors takes Jetour Africa Expedition to Lagos, Puts SUVs to Off-Road Test

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WMotors takes Jetour Africa Expedition to Lagos, Puts SUVs to Off-Road Test

 

WMotors, an official distributor of Jetour vehicles in Nigeria, has taken the 2026 Jetour Africa Expedition to Lagos, putting eight T1, T2 and G700 SUVs through a 128km journey that combined city driving, lifestyle experiences and a demanding off-road challenge.
It stated in a statement obtained on Tuesday that it used the Expedition to project Nigeria positively to the world.

It recalled that the Pan-African lifestyle and adventure initiative, created to celebrate exploration, mobility, community and the spirit of adventure, commenced in Egypt on July 19, 2026.
It is said to involve 12 African countries, with each participating market contributing its unique experience to the continental journey.

Taking advantage of favourable weather on Sunday, August 9, Jetour WMotors said it flagged off the Lagos expedition in front of its showroom on Adeyemi Alakija Street, Victoria Island, taking participants through Lekki Market, the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, Freedom Park, the National Theatre, Ahmadu Bello Way, Third Mainland Bridge and the Ikorodu off-road circuit.

The highpoint was the performance-focused off-road challenge at a location near Ikorodu, where the Jetour vehicles were subjected to challenging terrains, steep slopes, bumps and uneven surfaces.

The demanding conditions provided a real-world test of the vehicles’ power, control, durability and four-wheel-drive capability, allowing participants to witness firsthand the ability of the T1, T2 and G700 to defy different terrains while maintaining the adventure and performance attributes for which the brand is known.

Managing Director of Jetour WMotors, Mr Tony Jamal, said the expedition was designed to showcase the capability, safety, luxury and adventure features of the brand while demonstrating the strength of the Nigerian automotive market.

Jamal said the carefully selected routes were intended not only to demonstrate the versatility of the Jetour vehicles but also to showcase different aspects of Lagos and project Nigeria to the rest of the world.

He said the off-road experience was particularly important because it allowed the appropriate Jetour 4×4 models to demonstrate their capabilities under demanding conditions.

“We also showcased the capacity of Jetour, with the off-road experience of the 4×4 models. They have a 2.0 (turbocharged) engine with Euro 6, that is the most advanced engine, low fuel consumption and high torque. It shows us what Jetour can do,” he said.

Beyond showcasing vehicles, Jetour WMotors said it used the expedition to demonstrate its commitment to humanity and community service.

As the convoy moved along the selected routes, the participants distributed road safety awareness materials to drivers and other stakeholders, while hydration was provided to members of the public, including motorists, by Bigi Premium Drinking Water, it added.

Earlier, participants had taken part in a high-energy fitness and mobility warm-up session inside the Jetour showroom, conducted by professional trainers from I-Fitness, while Frootaz took care of refreshments.

Giving more insight into the event, Jamal explained that the expedition also provided an opportunity to demonstrate to Jetour manufacturers in China that Nigeria is a significant market for the brand.

“Jetour is all over Nigeria now. We have a big trust and we have to thank God that Jetour trusts us as an official distributor. The people appreciate our services and our vehicles come directly from the factory (and not made for other markets),” he said.

He disclosed that Jetour China appointed WMotors as its official distributor in Nigeria, giving the company the mandate to organise the expedition locally.

Looking ahead, Jamal said the 2027 edition would be bigger, extend beyond Africa and feature participants from China, with greater emphasis on off-road driving and the introduction of new Jetour models.

“It will be a bigger event in 2027 and it will be more than Africa. We are preparing and people will come from China, especially for the off-road experience. Next year, we will also have new models and it will be shown in Jetour WMotors showrooms.”

Peace of Mind Through Robust After-Sales 7-Year Warranty

Beyond the vehicles’ aesthetics, safety, luxury and performance, Jamal reaffirmed Jetour WMotors’ commitment to strong after-sales support, including a seven-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, which is currently the most far-reaching auto sales backup package in Nigeria’s auto market.

The firm said the expedition provided the opportunity to give customers greater peace of mind through its industry-leading seven-year warranty with unlimited mileage on all models, backed by a robust after-sales package.

 

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Omoda, Jaecoo Shake Global Auto Market, Hit One Million Sales in Three Years

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Omoda, Jaecoo Shake Global Auto Market, Hit One Million Sales in Three Years

 

Chinese automotive brands Omoda and Jaecoo are rapidly reshaping the global automobile industry, posting remarkable sales growth and displacing long-established competitors in key markets barely three years after their debut.

Owned by Chinese auto giant Chery, the sister brands have emerged as two of the world’s fastest-growing vehicle marques, recording more than one million cumulative sales across 64 countries by April 2026 while making significant inroads into mature markets traditionally dominated by legacy manufacturers.

Their most striking success has come in the United Kingdom, one of Europe’s most competitive and brand-conscious automotive markets. After entering the UK in 2024, the brands recorded 48,087 new vehicle registrations in 2025, accounting for 2.38 per cent of the market.

The performance placed Omoda and Jaecoo ahead of several long-established manufacturers that have spent decades building customer loyalty in the country.

Driving much of the momentum is the Jaecoo 7 SUV, which finished 2025 as the UK’s fourth most popular retail vehicle before going on to become the country’s best-selling new car in March 2026. It has also ranked as the UK’s third best-selling new car so far in 2026.

Within just 19 months of launching in Britain, the two brands had surpassed 80,000 cumulative vehicle sales, underlining their rapid acceptance among consumers.

Their success extends well beyond the UK.

In Europe, Omoda and Jaecoo sold more than 340,000 vehicles in less than two years by June 2026, earning recognition from industry observers as the continent’s fastest-growing automotive brands.

Australia has witnessed a similar trend. Barely a year after their launch in May 2025, the brands crossed the 10,000-unit sales mark, while the Jaecoo J5 emerged as the country’s best-selling small electric SUV in May 2026.

The brands have also recorded notable achievements in Asia and South America. In Thailand, the Jaecoo J5 topped the country’s electric vehicle sales rankings for six consecutive months, while in Brazil, the Jaecoo 7 Hybrid was named the country’s “Hybrid of the Year.”

Industry analysts attribute the brands’ rapid rise to a combination of striking design, advanced technology, generous standard features and competitive pricing that offers consumers strong value compared with many established rivals.

Safety credentials have also strengthened consumer confidence. Both the Jaecoo 7 and the Omoda 5 have earned five-star ratings from Euro NCAP, Europe’s independent vehicle safety assessment authority, helping to reassure buyers who may be unfamiliar with the brands.

Although many traditional manufacturers still enjoy stronger heritage and decades of brand recognition, industry observers say buying decisions are increasingly being driven by value, technology, design and safety rather than brand familiarity alone.

That shift has created opportunities for newer entrants such as Omoda and Jaecoo, whose rapid global expansion suggests that the automotive landscape is undergoing a significant transformation.

For emerging markets such as Nigeria, where Chinese automobile brands are steadily gaining acceptance, the performance of Omoda and Jaecoo offers another indication of the growing influence of Chinese manufacturers in the global automotive industry.

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High Power Bills Force BUK to Halt Electric Vehicle Charging on Campus

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High Power Bills Force BUK to Halt Electric Vehicle Charging on Campus

High Power Bills Force BUK to Halt Electric Vehicle Charging on Campus

Rising electricity costs have forced Bayero University, Kano, to ban the charging of privately owned electric motorcycles and other electric vehicles across its campuses.

The university said the growing practice of using its electricity supply to charge private electric vehicles had contributed significantly to a sharp increase in its power bills, creating an additional financial burden for the institution.

The directive, which takes immediate effect, was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the university’s Director of Public Affairs, Lamara Garba.

According to the statement, the management has observed the “indiscriminate charging” of privately owned electric motorcycles and other electric vehicles using the university’s electricity supply.

It said the development was no longer sustainable at a time when the institution was seeking to manage its resources prudently.

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“The Management of Bayero University, Kano has observed with concern the indiscriminate charging of privately owned electric motorcycles and other electric vehicles using the University’s electricity supply across its campuses.

“This practice has contributed significantly to the sharp increase in the University’s electricity bills, thereby placing an enormous financial burden on the institution,” the statement said.

The university consequently directed all staff, students, commercial motorcycle operators and other users of electric motorcycles to stop charging their vehicles with the institution’s electricity.

It warned that anyone who violated the directive would face disciplinary action in accordance with the university’s rules and regulations.

“Management expects full compliance with this directive. Any person found violating this ban will be liable to appropriate disciplinary action,” the statement added.

To enforce the ban, the university directed provosts, deans, directors, heads of departments and heads of units to monitor compliance in their respective areas and report any violations to the appropriate authorities.

It also announced that a monitoring team would conduct regular patrols across the campuses to ensure strict adherence to the directive.

The institution urged all affected persons to cooperate with the measure, saying it was part of broader efforts to reduce energy costs and promote the prudent use of university resources.

 

High Power Bills Force BUK to Halt Electric Vehicle Charging on Campus

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