Lanre Shittu wins truck, plant of the year awards

… raises alarm over drop in some Chinese truck brands

Chinese truck manufacturer, JAC Motors, has continued to improve on the quality of its truck models to make it to compete favourably with popular European brands, Group Executive Director of Lanre Shittu Motors, Taiwo Shittu, has said.

He stated this as he expressed worry that some Chinese automakers are beginning to drop the quality of their models due to rising cost of trucks.

He thus warned truck buyers in Nigeria to be mindful of the quality and the support being offered to avert frequent breakdown of the vehicles.

Taiwo Shittu spoke recently in Lagos after his company won two major awards, Truck Company of the Year and Truck Plant of the Year, at the Nigeria Auto Journalists Awards.

He particularly noted that the drop in truck quality could be found in areas such as the axle, transmission system, frame, Cab and the Chassis.

He said, “Instead of increasing the quality of their trucks, many are reducing it so as to maintain low cost. For instance, some have reduced their axle from 16 tons to 12; from double frame to single, and from 12-speed transmission to 10.”

He however said JAC brand of trucks has maintained high quality and could compare well in many areas with those from popular European manufacturers.

JAC Trucks has been embraced and accepted by the big players in the industry across the Southern and Northern parts of the country.

“Those who use the JAC trucks can tell the difference. We have an excellent after sales service that reduces down time. JAC trucks come with air conditioner; the seats have air suspension; the power steering is Bosch, giving you a good cruise/ride and allows driver to be comfortable after driving for a long time.”

According to Taiwo Shittu, the quality of after-sale support offered by an auto company will largely determine how long its vehicles will stay active on the road.

He said, “A brand can be good but without a good after sales support, the brand will pack up in no time.

“There are many “Brief Case” business men coming into Nigeria today without an office going about looking for who to sell trucks to knowing fully well that the trucks are not built for the Nigerian market. They sell and leave one with problems and without any support.

“Even if you bring the best truck from Germany, without any support, it will crumble in no time.”

He also spoke on the NAJA awards won by his company for the JAC truck brand, noting that the Lanre Shittu/JAC truck partnership has been remarkable and beneficial not only to the two firms but also the end users and the Nigerian economy.

He commended NAJA for its consistency in organising the annual auto awards, describing the standard of this year’s as outstanding and well attended.