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Innoson makes history, exports Nigeria-assembled vehicles to Sierra Leone

Nigeria’s indigenous vehicle manufacturing company, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Ltd, has delivered the first set of vehicles manufactured for the Government of Sierra Leone as ordered by the country’s Ministry of Defence.
This is in fulfilment of a promise made during a working visit to Innoson Vehicles by top hierarchy of the Sierra Leone Defence Ministry led by Mr. Edward Soloku, the Minister of Internal Affairs as well as Sierra Leone Road Transport Corporation (SLRTC) led by its President Mr. Isaac Ken-Green.
Head of Corporate Communications, Innoson Group, Cornel Osigwe, said in a statement that various models of vehicles bought within that dispensation were for the present administration.
Osigwe explained that subsequently, the Government of Sierra Leone led by President Julius Maada Bio placed an order for the manufacturing of Innoson Vehicles valued at $4.7Million for the officers of Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).
The first set of the vehicles supplied from Nigeria to Sierra Leone were as Monday leaving Queen Elizabeth 2 Port (Sierra Leone’s sea Port “Water Quay”) in Free Town for distribution to military officers across the country.
Reacting to the development, the people of Sierra Leone have been commending their President, Julius Maada Bio, for acting in line with the spirit of the continental agreement by opting for an African (IVM) brand of vehicles for the use of the country’s Armed Forces.
In one of the many reports in the local media on the purchase of the made-in-Nigeria vehicles, a popular blog in Sierra Leone, Focus News Blog, hailed President Bio for believing “that our Army Officers deserve better.”
The post, which showed a line-up of the IVM products from Nigeria, informed Sierra Leoneans that the vehicles would soon be “ready for distribution to military officers across the country” by the government
“Innoson Group has penetrated the vehicles market over the years. It is currently serving as one of the few wholly African car assemblers.
One of the effusive commendations for President Bio by a Sierra Leonean, Francis Ken Samu, remarked, “We are on top of the situation in times of security. Bravo HE President Bio. Keep the Military Colour Flag going up higher than ever before in de history of Sierras Leone.. God bless you, HE President Bio for equipping the RSLAF.”
This development is indeed a step towards the acceleration of intra-African trade as facilitated by the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA).
With the arrival of the Innoson vehicles in Free Town, Sierra Leone has become the first country in West Africa whose armed forces are using the IVM products outside Nigeria.
Four years ago, the Nigerian Army signed a partnership agreement with the Nnewi auto plant for the supply of purpose-built vehicles for its personnel.
The agreement also includes identifying requirements for the production of the armoured fighting vehicle in Nigerian Army Central Workshop in Kaduna and enhancing the capacity of Nigerian Army personnel to actively participate in the successful implementation of these joint ventures
The export of Innoson is coming two years after President Mohammadu Buhari signed the AfCFTA agreement in July, 2019.
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Toyota corporation taps on Winpart by CFAO to distribute CWorks batteries in Nigeria

Toyota corporation taps on Winpart by CFAO to distribute CWorks batteries in Nigeria
Leading distributor and importer of high-quality automotive spare parts and lubricants in Nigeria, Winpart by CFAO, has commenced the distribution of Cworks batteries in Nigeria.
Cworks is a premium automotive battery brand from Toyota Tsusho Corporation.
The battery introduction, the company says, marks a new era of reliability, durability, and high performance for Nigerian motorists and businesses.
The firm in a statement obtained by Newstrends says as an official distributor and importer of top-quality automotive spare parts, Winpart by CFAO has continued to bring globally trusted brands to Nigeria, ensuring that vehicle owners and businesses have access to world-class solutions.
Developed under the renowned Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Cworks batteries are engineered to deliver superior power, a longer lifespan, and consistent performance in all driving conditions.
Winpart by CFAO says CWorks is a product of “renowned Toyota Tsusho excellence, designed to meet global automotive standards; long-lasting performance, built for durability and resilience on Nigerian roads and weather conditions.”
The company disclosing that the batteries are now available through Winpart by CFAO outlets added that the product would facilitate “reliable power supply, ensuring smooth engine starts and sustained power for all vehicle types”.
General Manager of Winpart by CFAO, Mohamed TALEB, said, “We are excited to introduce Cworks batteries to Nigerian motorists. As a brand from Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Cworks battery reflects the same commitment to quality and performance that Toyota is known for worldwide.
“With Winpart by CFAO, Nigerians can now enjoy a battery that delivers reliability, longevity, and value.”
According to the firm, through Winpart by CFAO, Cworks batteries will be available across Nigeria via authorized dealers and service centres, ensuring easy access to high-quality battery solutions.
The company added that more information on CWORKS Batteries, can be obtained from its website- www.winpart.com.ng.
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CFAO subsidiary LOXEA unveils BYD electric vehicles in Nigeria

CFAO subsidiary LOXEA unveils BYD electric vehicles in Nigeria
A subsidiary of CFAO Mobility, LOXEA Nigeria, has introduced the BYD brand of electric vehicles to the Nigerian market.
LOXEA has thus become the pioneer in bringing the renowned electric vehicles (EVs) manufactured by BYD (Build Your Dreams) into the country.
BYD is a high-tech multinational company and the world leader in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
“As a Fortune Global 500 enterprise, BYD relentlessly innovates to create a sustainable future,” said the automaker.
“In November 2024, BYD becomes the first company in the world to achieve the milestone with the roll-off of its 10-millionth NEV.
“BYD achieves 4.27 million new energy vehicle sales in 2024, claiming the global sales champion in the third consecutive year.”
Managing Director of LOXEA Nigeria, Mr. Mehdi Slimani, stated, “We are proud to distribute this type of electric vehicle and all its associated services.
“Our upcoming showroom in Victoria Island, Lagos will be a place dedicated to the discovery of BYD vehicles, combining modernity, comfort, and economy of use. “It is very important for CFAO Mobility in Nigeria to participate in this way in the country’s energy transition and support our customers who wish to make the switch to electric.”
Chief Executive Officer of CFAO Mobility, Marc Hirschfeld, spoke on the importance of this launch for both the company and the country, saying, “BYD is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of electric vehicles, with a level of innovation know-how that now matches the expectations of our markets in Africa.
“A whole new ecosystem has to be designed around mobility in African cities.
“This applies not only to individual and corporate customers, but also to stakeholders including urban public transport networks and government agencies.
LOXEA specialises in providing innovative mobility solutions across Africa.
With a commitment to sustainability and excellence, it delivers high-quality mobility services, from electric vehicle leasing to fleet management and infrastructure support.
LOXEA is a leading player in innovative mobility solutions in Africa, offering clients a range of 100% electric vehicles from BYD.
As a pioneer in the deployment of electric vehicle solutions across the continent, LOXEA is bringing to Nigeria a comprehensive suite of services associated with electric vehicles.
This includes the installation of electric charging stations, vehicle maintenance, repair services, and the provision of spare parts.
In addition to providing an inaugural charging station at the upcoming LOXEA Victoria Island showroom, the company is also offering an adaptable solution that allows customers to charge their EVs conveniently at home.
The company says more information on this can be obtained from its website, https://www.byd.com/ng.
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Lanre Shittu Motors to endow Automobile Department of Lagos Technical College

Lanre Shittu Motors to endow Automobile Department of Lagos Technical College
Lanre Shittu Motors has announced a novel idea that will boost automobile studies in a Lagos technical college.
Specifically, it has pledged to adopt the Automobiles Department of the Government Technical College, Aso-Soba in the Festac area of Lagos.
This is intended to raise academic and practical programme standards of the school.
The company said this would involve adequate funding, in-school training and intensive industrial training (IT) with welfare package to encourage more young people to pursue academic career in automotive engineering.
Business Support/Admin Manager of LSM, Mr Babatunde Adenuga, disclosed this in Lagos, in an interview with journalists.
Adenuga represented the LSM Managing Director, Mr Taiwo Shittu, at the just concluded Engineering Week of the college sponsored by the auto company, where he unveiled the plan to the staff and students at the event’s grand finale.
Aside from the needed financial support to make the auto department functional and standard, he said LSM would provide the tools, overall wears/workshop uniform, among others, as part of the welfare package for the students.
He said it would be a win-win situation for the school and the company.
Adenuga said, “The school will benefit immensely from the LSM package for the department as we take the financial trouble of running the department away from them.
“Students from the department can come for their internship at LSM workshops, and getting jobs after school won’t be difficult.
“For us, it will be a seamless arrangement in getting suitable personnel familiar with our training and business orientation.”
He also said the LSM had been absorbing students from the school and others for their industrial training (IT), providing them with useful hands-on training and monthly stipend to keep them going.
The LSM MD, Taiwo Shittu, commenting on the support, said, “We’ll be part of the progress of the school. We want to own a department in the technical college, the automobile department of studies that will enable us to fund the place; take care of the welfare of students, providing the tools, overall uniform and other facilities.”
“At LSM, we see training the youths as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility. Every year, we take in youths into our facility and train them; even while in training, we give them stipends.”
The highpoint of the LSM-sponsored Government Technical College event was the presentation of prizes to outstanding students in the various competitions held for the Engineering Week.
Three of the students whose projects stood out such as locally produced water pumping machine and water heater went home with impressive cash awards.
Principal of the college, Mr Folarin Sunkanmi, expressed appreciation to LSM for the interest in the school, starting with giving the students the opportunity for industrial training and offering them monthly stipend.
The principal commended the LSM efforts of sponsoring the engineering week’s activities, whose theme was given as ‘Engineering for Sustainable Development (Innovators of tomorrow)’
He urged other companies to emulate the LSM example in order to boost the employability chances of products of the technical colleges and engineering departments of higher institutions in the country.
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