Lanre Shittu Motors rolls out LSM-branded full CNG buses, plans mobile refilling facilities 

Frontline indigenous automaker, Lanre Shittu Motors, has taken the campaign for Nigerians to embrace compressed natural gas-powered vehicles to a new level with the unveiling of full CNG-powered buses in Nigeria.

The company also says it is willing to support those buying a large fleet including state governments with the installation of mobile CNG stations across different locations.

Speaking with some journalists in Lagos on Monday at a media launch of the buses, Managing Director of Lanre Shittu Motors, Mr. Taiwo Shittu, said the CNG vehicles are being assembled at the Amuwo Odofin assembly plant, Lagos.

The LSM MD who spoke along with the Deputy Managing Director of the company, Lukman Shittu, said 100 units of the buses coming in two specifications would be introduced in the first phase to support the President Bola Tinubu’s CNG initiative of easing public transportation and cushioning the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Mr. Joseph Osanipin, said he was excited about the initiative, adding, “Now that LSM has taken the bold step which l hope others will key into; no need to bother about the cost of conversion because the vehicles are already factory-fitted.

Speaking further on the new CNG vehicles, the LSM MD said while the first bus, a 31-seater, would be deployed for intra-airport shuttle, the second spec, a 54-seater also accommodating 25 persons standing, would serve as mass transit city bus.

The MD said, “Now we have the real CNG new buses on the ground. We are the first to have full CNG vehicles for sale, others are converted engines or hybrid.

“Any state that is really interested in saving cost should be talking to us.

“We have two specifications, one for airport shuttle, and the other for mass transit city bus.”

Taiwo Shittu also said the city bus was built with seven cylinders and could travel for 450-500 kilometres before recharge.

According to him, the airport bus, also built with seven CNG cylinders, has a lot of space for boxes and two wheel chairs like the city bus.

“They all have charging stations. While on the move, you can charge your phones. The bus is air-conditioned, durable and installed with viewing screens,” he added.

He declared that the LSM-branded CNG bus would guarantee complete 70 per cent reduction in operation costs.

He said, “For instance, while the CNG costs N200-N230/kg, diesel is sold from N1,200 to N1,400/litre, depending on the state you are buying from.

“While some drivers have the habit of siphoning fuel from a vehicle for the purposes of selling or using it elsewhere, this cannot happen with CNG.

“The money saved could be utilised to solve other vital problems including paying workers’ increased salary based on approved new minimum wage.”

Deputy Managing Director of the company, Mr Lukman Shittu, said the company was willing to install mobile CNG stations across different locations, especially for large fleet buyers.

He said, “We can deploy mobile CNG stations across different locations; we can install for people around their locations.”

He explained that the company had also embarked on the training of its workers in the CNG technology using its technical partners.

He said, “We have technical partners. They have trained our workers. We have the expertise; we are going to Ekiti State with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) to train people in the CNG technology. We are also going to other states.

“We have the parts. We are not only concerned about our buses, we are also interested in helping the government in any way we can to make this CNG initiative a reality.

“The important thing is how to save cost on transportation in Nigeria.”

The DG of the NADDC, Osanipin, commended Lanre Shittu Motors for assembling full CNG buses locally.

“Those that need this type of pure 100% CNG buses are mainly the commercial transporters. We at the NADDC are working with LSM to test run it.

“LSM will provide the expertise while Pi-CNG (Presidential CNG Initiative) will provide the necessary support and NADDC will ensure the training of people that will handle it.”

Tinubu inaugurates first set of 30 Innoson CNG buses to boost  transportation

President Bola Tinubu has commissioned the first set of 30 Compressed Natural Gas, CNG-powered city buses at the Presidential Villa in Abuja aimed at boosting public transportation.

The hybrid buses, which engines can alternate between CNG and diesel as fuel, were built in Nnewi, Anambra State, by Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd (IVM).

The launch is in fulfilment of the Tinubu administration’s promise to reduce the pains of the removal of subsidy on fuel,

Twenty of the 100-seater long buses with hand grips for standing passengers, were procured by the Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) and while the remaining 10 were bought by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and donated to the Federal Government.

Commissioning the buses shortly after the Federal Executive Council meeting, the President Tinubu had applauded Innoson Vehicles and its Chairman, Chief Chukwuma, for investing in the production of CNG vehicles which is in line with government’s initiative.

The President described CNG as “an economic necessity that we must embrace” in order to reap the benefits of transiting from diesel and petrol to cheaper and greener autogas.

Tinubu said that utilising natural gas to power the nation’s transportation industry would reduce costs, enhance productivity and save the nation trillions of naira spent on the importation of petrol and diesel.

He states further, “If we can enhance our energy competitiveness and bring about transformative changes like this, we will be able to achieve the prosperity we are working hard to accomplish for our people.

“These CNG buses are encouraging and promising to enhance our transportation system, ” he said.

The President disclosed that commercial vehicles account for over 80 per cent of the nation’s petrol demand, citing examples of several countries, including India, that had switched to CNG for their transportation systems and reaping the benefits since 2004.

“Countries like India have mandated CNG for all commercial vehicles since 2004.

“In Nigeria, commercial vehicles make up about 80 per cent of our petroleum demand, costing us trillions of naira every month.

“The solution is here. We have it. We will work on it. We promise you things will get better. Prosperity will be achieved.”

Commenting on the importance of the autogas vehicles, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris, said the hybrid nature of the buses manufactured by Innoson reflected the efforts of the Federal Government to transit from the traditional fuels to CNG.

Idris stated, “What you are seeing is the process of transition. It is also not expedient to put aside the traditional system. It is hybrid for now, and we hope that at the end of the day, there will be a complete transition to CNG. “What you are witnessing now (hybrid), is that in the event that you have some challenges, which is expected at the beginning, you can still rely on PMS (Premium Motor Spirit or petrol) or diesel, as the case may be.”

Also speaking at the event, the Chairperson of DAPPMAN, Winifred Akpani, declared her association’s support for the administration’s commitment to enhancing the nation’s transportation system, which she noted would lead to lower transportation costs.

She said, “This batch of hybrid buses, which DAPPMAN is donating to the Federal Government, furthers our support for this administration’s resolve to address Nigeria’s energy challenges.

“We are proud to note that these buses have been designed, manufactured, and delivered by Innoson Motors, a Nigerian company.”

The commissioning of the vehicles on Monday, August 12, 2024, came only four days after the President held a closed-door meeting with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, CON, at the Aso Rock Villa, on August 8, 2024.

Chukwuma had informed that the commuting public would soon enjoy cheaper transportation through Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses.

“I’ve discussed with him (President Tinubu) and in a short time, the masses, the public will have enough CNG busses on the road,” he told journalists after the meeting.

The Nnewi-based auto manufacturer had hinted at an ongoing partnership between his company and the Federal Government and described the Presidential CNG Initiative as “the way forward” for Nigeria.

Renault, Coscharis pledge support for Nigeria auto assembly, plans 3 new models 2025

Renault has reaffirmed its support for vehicle assembly operations in Nigeria in partnership with Coscharis Motors Assembly Limited.

Coscharis Motors Plc is the exclusive distributor of Renault vehicles in Nigeria.

Laurent Ton-That, Area Operation Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa & Indian Ocean Islands, made the pledge during his recent visit to the Coscharis Motors Assembly Plant at Awoyaya, Lagos.

A statement by the Brand Manager at Coscharis Motors, Felix Mahan, quoted Ton-That as commending Coscharis for its state-of-the-art facility, where Renault’s Duster (SUV) and Logan (sedan) models are assembled.

He personally inspected key production lines including chassis/body assembly, brake testing, vehicle vibration testing, and paint/body inspection, expressing satisfaction with the facility’s capabilities.

“I am impressed by what I have seen today,” said Ton-That.

“Renault is committed to supporting Coscharis Motors Assembly by providing necessary KD kits, training, and other essential resources.

“In response, Felix Adepinye, Assembly Plant Manager at Coscharis Motors Assembly, extended gratitude to Renault for their continued support. “We appreciate Renault’s visit and unwavering assistance,” stated Adepinye.

“With Renault’s support, we uphold OEM standards and ensure the highest levels of professionalism in delivering Renault vehicles to the Nigerian market.”

The Renault manager also had a separate engagement with Coscharis Sales and Marketing teams, where he revealed plans for Renault to introduce three new vehicle models to the Nigerian market in 2025.

This expansion aims to enrich the market’s offerings and cater to diverse consumer preferences.

Renault’s ongoing commitment to local assembly in Nigeria underscores its dedication to enhancing automotive manufacturing capabilities and contributing to the country’s automotive sector growth.

Josiah Samuel, Group Managing Director of Coscharis Group, spoke on the company’s commitment to Nigeria’s economic growth through sustained investments, particularly in the automotive sector.

“Our ongoing investment in human and capital resources underscores our confidence in Nigeria’s economic resurgence,” stated Josiah Samuel. “Coscharis Motors Assembly has the capacity to increase production significantly, align with market demand.”

According to the statement, the partnership between Renault and Coscharis Motors facilitates job creation, technology transfer, and enriches the diversity of automobile offerings in Nigeria.

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