Carloha takes Chery Showroom to Ikeja City Mall, heart of Lagos, opens Thursday 

One of Nigeria’s fastest growing auto companies, Carloha Nigeria, is set to open Chery Showroom at the popular Ikeja City Mall, Lagos, as part of its expansion programme.

It announced in a statement that the spectacular Chery Showroom launch would take place on Thursday July 4, 2024.

“This landmark event promises to be a spectacular celebration of innovation, style, and automotive excellence,” it stated

It said the showroom would be smart and ultra-modern in every sense, showcasing cutting-edge technology, sleek designs and unparalleled performance.

It also said that the launch would offer plenty of fun for all new car enthusiasts.

Part of the statement read, “Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a potential buyer, or just looking for a fun day out, the Chery Showroom Opening is an event you won’t want to miss.

“The Chery Showroom at Ikeja City Mall is not only a place to buy a car, but also a destination for automotive enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking to explore the future of driving technology.

“With its prime location and state-of-the-art facilities, the showroom is set to become a hub of innovation and style in Lagos.”

Automobile industry experts and influencers will share their insights on the future of automotive technology and design with the audience at the event.

“Experience the thrill of driving a Chery! Our test drive sessions will allow you to get behind the wheel and feel the power, comfort, and innovation of Chery vehicles. Don’t miss out on this hands-on experience,” it stated.

As part of its package to celebrate its grand opening, Carloha said it would make vehicle ownership easy and accessible to its customers and prospects, including exclusive deals and discounts on all Chery models.

“Every Chery vehicle purchased from Carloha comes with six-year free services, and six-year warranty or 200,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.

The Sales and Marketing Director of Carloha, Mr. Joseph Omokhapue, said, “Opening a Chery Showroom in a shopping mall is a dream come true, as we can now reach some of our customers at the centre of Lagos, with Chery innovative technology, cutting-edge design, and superior performance.

He further said, “The Chery Showroom at Ikeja City Mall will not only be a place to buy a car but also a destination for automotive enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking to explore the future of driving technology.

“With its prime location and state-of-the-art facilities, the showroom is set to become a hub of innovation and style in Lagos.”

Amazing prices have also been arranged for customers visiting the Chery showroom at Ikeja City Mall.

“The Chery Showroom at Ikeja City Mall promises to be a premier destination for automotive enthusiasts and those looking for the perfect blend of style, performance, and innovat

ion,” the firm said.

Lagos will support innovative investors to develop automotive industry – Commissioner

Lagos State Government says it is ready to give necessary support for genuine players and innovative investors in the automotive industry to ensure the development of the sector in the state.

The state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said as a hub of economic activities in the country, Lagos remains strategic in automotive development.

He stated this in Lagos at the just concluded Nigeria Auto Industry Summit organised by NAJA (Nigeria Auto Journalists Association) in conjunction with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) and attended by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Director General of NADDC, Joseph Osanipin.

Osiyemi who was represented at the summit by the Director of Public Transport and Commuter Services for Lagos State, Engr. Olusoji Adebayo, said the state government would provide the enabling environment for the industry to thrive.

He said, “As we gather here, we are reminded of the critical role the auto industry plays in not only driving economic growth but also in fostering innovation, creating jobs, and enhancing the overall quality of life for our citizens.”

“Lagos State, as a hub of economic activities and a key player in Nigeria’s development, recognizes the immense potential within the auto industry.”

The commissioner also said the government’s door was open for collaboration with investors to accelerate the development of the sector.

“The Lagos State Government is committed to creating an enabling environment that supports industry stakeholders, fosters collaboration, and encourages investment.

“We believe that through strategic partnerships and innovative initiatives, the auto industry can significantly contribute to the revival and growth of our nation’s economy,” he said.

He described as apt and timely the theme of the summit, which was given as ‘Developing Nigeria’s Economy through the Auto Industry’.

“Today’s summit serves as a crucial platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas. It is an opportunity for all of us—government officials, industry leaders, and experts from across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa—to come together and explore avenues for mutual growth and development,” the commissioner stated.

“By leveraging our collective expertise and resources, we can identify and harness the opportunities that lie ahead.

“Together, we can build a resilient, competitive, and sustainable auto sector that will drive our economy forward,” he added.

Volkswagen Group Africa has signed an agreement with the Government of Egypt for the construction and utilisation of the Body Shop and Assembly plant, which will be located within the East Port Said Automotive Zone (EPAZ).

With the new Volkswagen-Egypt deal, Nigeria initially positioned and promised to get the automaker’s assembly plant has lost out.

According to a Transport Day’s report,  the new development is coming at a time that the Volkswagen of Nigeria auto assembly line run by Stallion Motors has remained moribund as there have been no activities for years now.

The Volkswagen showroom located in Victoria Island, Lagos, and owned by Stallion Motors, is virtually empty. And there have been no new Volkswagen model launch in years in the local market.

At a Nigeria Auto Industry Summit held in Lagos last Thursday, many experts and players said the nation’s automotive sector would not grow without the signing into law the Nigeria Auto Industry Development Plan which was already approved by the Federal Executive Council.

The new Volkswagen assembly plant agreement was signed by the Chairman of the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone, Waleid Gamal Eldien, Chief Executive Officer of the Sovereign Fund of Egypt; Ayman Soliman, Vice President of the East Port-Said Development Company; Dr Ahmed Fikry and Chairperson and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA), Martina Biene in the presence of the Prime Minister of Egypt, Dr Mostafa Madbouly.

The signing ceremony which took place during the first day of the Egypt-EU Investment Conference hosted in Cairo on 29-30 June 2024, was also witnessed by Dr Mohamed Shaker El-Markabi, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy; Eng. Tarek El-Molla, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources; Dr Hala El-Saeed, Minister of Planning and Economic Development; Dr Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation; and Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Trade.

In June 2022, the Government of Egypt announced the introduction of the Automotive Industry Development Programme (AIDP), which aims to foster the local value addition, increase vehicle production volume, boost and attract investment, and improve emission standards in the automotive sector.

The Government of Egypt aims to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to construct the buildings for the Body Shop and Assembly Line.

Volkswagen Group Africa has expressed interest to utilise these facilities to assemble vehicles for the Egyptian market, after the successful completion of the feasibility study and its findings confirming viability.

Biene said, “The new strategic co-operation agreement with the Government of Egypt offers Volkswagen Group Africa an asset-light investment model, which shifts the investment focus from capital expenditure to operational expenditure.

“The agreement also presents Volkswagen Group Africa with the opportunity to progress its long-term plans to establish its presence in Egypt. Furthermore, Volkswagen is emboldened by the willingness of the Government of Egypt to explore an ingenious approach to realise the viability of the feasibility study. We are fully committed to working with the Government of Egypt to make this project viable.”