Piaggio partners Bhojsons to distribute Ape three wheelers in Nigeria – Newstrends
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Piaggio partners Bhojsons to distribute Ape three wheelers in Nigeria

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Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of the Italian Piaggio Group and India’s leading manufacturer of small commercial vehicles, has sealed a partnership agreement with Bhojsons Group of Nigeria for the distribution of Ape brand of passenger and cargo three wheelers across the country.

A statement by Piaggio said through the partnership, the pioneer of three-wheeler maker aimed to introduce a diverse product portfolio that would include passenger and cargo three wheelers under its flagship brand Ape.

It stated, “Piaggio commercial aims to increase its penetration along with Bhojsons Group in various parts of Nigeria to come close to its customer with its last-mile transportation offerings.”

According to the statement, Bhojsons Group is a renowned conglomerate headquartered in Lagos with diversified business interests in varied sectors spanning automobiles, fast-moving consumer goods, consumer durable goods, power solutions, packaging solutions, polymers, agricultural machinery, domestic machinery and infrastructural needs for the telecom industry.

Already, the firm said it was in the process of opening multiple dealerships and training under Bhojsons across Nigeria, adding, “This will also help Piaggio customers in the region to have access to the entire service and warranty package offered by Piaggio.”

It also stated that its association with Bhojsons Group for Nigerian market marked Piaggio’s footprint expansion in more than 60 countries globally.

The firm said, “Piaggio’s range of products offers best in class performance in terms of power, pick-up, mileage & maintenance.

“With this association with Bhojsons Group, Piaggio wants to strengthen its relationship with customers and reinforce its commitment to providing path-breaking solutions in the last mile transportation segments with cleaner and efficient fuel options.

Speaking on the new arrangement, Mr Saju Nair, EVP of Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd said, “We endeavour to continue providing best in class offerings to our customers which are not only best in technology but also are most suited for higher earnings.

“We want to reach out to as many customers as possible and create a good foothold in all the cities across Nigeria.

“It is imperative to strengthen our presence in Nigeria as it is one of the largest markets in Africa with a larger focus on commercial vehicles. Piaggio has one of the largest ranges of 3-wheeled vehicles for both passenger and cargo applications. Our last mile transport solution vehicles generate self-employment and create entrepreneurs which is one of the aspects of primary importance to national development.”

He also said the decision to collaborate with Bhojsons Group was because “we see a very valued partner who has a strong legacy in Nigeria having business roots as old as 150 years+ and is diversified into many businesses including automotive. “Bhojsons is coming to Piaggio as a natural partner who is one ofthe largest importers, assemblers and distributors of motorcycles, passenger tricycles and cargo tricycles in Nigeria.

“They have achieved great successes through their on-the-ground knowledge of the Nigerian market and consumer trends coupled with their unparalleled marketing and brand development activities in their current line of business. Piaggio would work on the ground along with Bhojsons team to further strengthen the brand in the market.”

Group Managing Director, Bhojsons Group, Mr Vishant Dalamal, was quoted as saying, “I am extremely delighted on this partnership with Piaggio as they represent a world-class quality product for the Nigerian market and Bhojsons is known to introduce quality brands from across the globe for Nigerian market for over 150 years of their presence in the country.

“Bhojsons automotive business is vertically integrated along the value-chain being an importer, assembler, brand developer, distributor and service provider. The vehicles are assembled at our state-of-the-art facility in Lagos.

“This association would help small, medium businesses for a sustained logistics solution at a competitive operating cost unlike their current investments in large vehicles with big operating and maintenance cost.

“Piaggio has leadership in the cargo segment and is the preferred choice of corporates engaged in product distribution to consumers across the world for smaller payloads for last-mile market connectivity. With already a large 2W network on the ground, Piaggio business line becomes a natural extension to service this distribution network for us.”

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Kojo Motors dedicates Yutong Luxury Coach Award to Customers, praises product quality

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Kojo Motors dedicates Yutong Luxury Coach Award to Customers,praises product quality

 

…says assembly plant in Nigeria ready soon

Kojo Motors is thrilled by the recognition of its outstanding operation being delivered through the Yutong brand of luxury buses.

The company received the Luxury Coach of the Year award given to its chosen Yutong brand at the last NAJA Awards 2024 held in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Kojo attributed the award to its loyal customers and the product quality, promising that passengers travelling with the luxury coach buses in Nigeria and other African countries are guaranteed of exciting time for many years to come with the the Yutong brand.

The Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Awards is an annual event organised by journalists in the print, electronic and online media platforms covering the automotive industry.

Founder/Chairman of Kojo Motors Nigeria Limited, Ikenna Oguegbu, said that the award was a clear testimony to the product quality of the Yutong brand and as a leader in that segment globally.

The Kojo Motors CEO thanked the company’s ever loyal transport companies for their patronage and acceptance of the brands with a promise to continually create more value in the automobile industry in Nigeria.

“There can’t a better way to end the business year 2024 than with this prestigious award despite teething business challenges of the year, and more importantly that the award came from a very credible stakeholder like the automotive media.”

Some of the many transport companies that have the Yutong luxury coach and other models are Chisco Transport, GUO, Ekeson while Edison Transport has over 50 units of the 12-metre sizes.

Other transport operators enjoying returns on investment by using the Yutong buses are Ifesinachi, Ifeanyi Chukwu with new customers such as Libra Motors, Bonny Way Okeyson, the Nigerian Customs and Delta line.

Also reacting to the award, Damien Li, head of Nigerian representative of Yutong Automotive group in China, said, “First of all, thanks to the Nigerian Automotive Journalists for this.

“This award is a recognition of Yutong luxury passenger buses, which is also the choice of customers and passengers, and we believe that this choice is correct and worthwhile.

“This award is also heavy, because it is a responsibility, and we need to provide better products and services to our customers with a more responsible attitude.”

Responding on what the future business of Yutong brand in Nigeria, he declared that the country is important to the automaker, having a population of over 200 million people and one of the largest economies in Africa, with a large demand and huge potential for automotive market.

Since Yutong entered Nigeria in 2008, the flourishing automaker has supplied more than 1,400 buses into the market, such as luxury buses, city buses, school buses and commuter buses, etc., with power types including pure electric, CNG and diesel version.

Li said, “After the removal of the fuel subsidy, we predicted a significant increase in both public and long-distance passenger transport.

“Nigeria has always been one of the important markets for Yutong, which not only focuses on providing comfortable and durable long-distance luxury buses, but is also committed to the promotion of urban buses under the president’s initiative for the future of clean energy CNG public transportation.”

He promised that Yutong would always develop vehicles suitable for Nigeria.

“We are also working with local partners to explore local assembly methods to develop more talent for the Nigerian automotive industry.

“Together, we will provide a full range of solutions for people’s mobility and contribute to public transportation in the Nigerian market,” he stated.

Answering questions on why would a customer should choose Yutong over other competing luxury buses, Li thanked customers for their recognition of the Yutong brand and the affirmation of the automaker’s products and service.

He declared that the market is fair and open, adding that people would always want quality products including the ZK6128H model that is Yutong’s new star luxury coach in Africa.

The model is known for its comfort and durability, which can not only give passengers a better riding experience, but also make operators more worry-free with stability and durability.

In addition to the product quality, after-sales service is also an advantage of Yutong.

Yutong’s engineers uphold a responsible attitude, shuttle to different places in Nigeria to support its customers.

“The fair and open market environment allows Yutong products to be seen by more customers, and will live up to expectations and continue to bring more customized products to Nigerian customers”.

On Yutong’s long-term commitment to the Nigerian market, he emphasised that

Nigeria has always been one of the important markets for Yutong, which not only focuses on providing comfortable and durable long-distance luxury buses, but is also committed to the promotion of urban buses under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initiative for the future of clean energy CNG public transportation.

According to him, Yutong’s vision is not only to provide high-quality products and services, but also to work with local partners to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s automotive industry.

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LAMATA announces 18% increase in BRT fares

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LAMATA announces 18% increase in BRT fares

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has announced an increase of 18 per cent in fares under its bus reform initiative (BRI) scheme

The popular Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) is part of the Bus Reform Initiative Schemes,

LAMATA in a statement on Thursday therefore sought the cooperation of Lagos residents for new fares expected to commence on February 17.

It said the fare adjustment was due to rising operational costs and to ensure the continued availability of bus services for commuters in Lagos.

Part of the statement read, “Please be informed that there will be an 18 per cent increase in the bus fare on all Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) schemes.

“The fare increase is because of the increase in the cost of operations and the need to ensure that buses keep running and guarantee your movement around Lagos.

“We seek your understanding and cooperation.”

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ABC Transport at 32: How we stayed afloat, achieved milestones, by MD Nneji

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ABC Transport at 32: How we stayed afloat, achieved milestones, by MD Nneji

Managing Director of ABC Transport Plc, Mr. Jude Nneji, has flashed back to the road the company has travelled since inception in 1993, declaring that there have been some daunting challenges on the way.
He however disclosed that through a combination of astute management and support of loyal customers, the company was able to navigate the challenges to stay afloat and achieve some milestones that define the road transport industry today.

Nneji, who spoke on the 32nd anniversary of ABC Transport, stated “There have been challenges in the past 32 years. But we were braced for them. You know it is not easy for a company to survive three decades in Nigeria.”
He said currently, the company was focusing on rebranding and consolidating on the achievements of the past three decades.

“We are doing a lot of renewal; the logo change, the rebranding, and re-fleeting, among other things, just to move on to the next stage.

“We are consolidating the divisions we have. For now, focus is on our haulage and cargo divisions, as well as our Driver Training Academy (DTA), which is turning a lot of graduates into the professional driver market.”

The success story of ABC Transport Plc began on February 13, 1993, when five mini buses emblazoned with the ABC Transport reindeer logo departed Owerri on a maiden trip to Lagos.
Little did the observers know that the vehicles were paving the way for what is today the foremost land transport company in Nigeria.

The history-making Toyota Hiace buses were procured with a loan from Diamond Bank (now Access Bank) by a youthful and audacious entrepreneur, Mr. Frank Nneji OON, who had the dream of delivering world-class transportation services to Nigerians.

ABC Transport was not among the first generation of luxury bus transporters where a pathfinder like Ekene Dili Chukwu (founded by the late Chief Augustine Ilodobe) belongs. But with Frank Nneji in the driver’s seat, it revolutionised road transportation and set the standards for modern, long distance passenger services.

As the founder of ABC Transport, Frank Nneji recalled in a recent interview that it was the unpleasant personal experience he had during a trip from Owerri to Lagos on board a bus which finally broke down at Ore, that led to the conception of the idea of a modern transport company in 1993.

The objective then, according to him, was to set standards in luxury bus transportation with emphasis on passenger comfort, safety and strict adherence to schedules.

Today, like the oak tree, ABC Transport has not only scored many firsts in road transportation, but has also grown to become a household name in the industry, with a fleet of about 500 vehicles and a network of over 90 locations across the country and in West Africa.

Following the success recorded in the beginning, the ABC Transport fleet was sustainably expanded with the injection of more mini buses and state-of-the-art luxury coaches .

This earned for the company the travellers’ acclaim across the country as the first to introduce air-conditioned coaches with toilet facilities, as well as on-board entertainment featuring video screens and mid-journey refreshment.

One of the innovations introduced by the management in the years following that inaugural trip by the five mini buses was the ABC Customers’ Forum hitherto unknown to the country’s road transport industry.
At the event, which was sustained annually until a few years ago, the management interacted with the customers, and fielded questions, complaints and suggestions on how to improve the company’s services.

On July 16, 2004, ABC Transport scored yet another first with its Coach West Africa – the ECOWAS region’s first scheduled coach service taking off from Lagos (through Cotonou in Benin Republic, and Lome in Togo) to Accra, Ghana, and back, on board the purpose-built coaches.

Online ticket booking, which has since been embraced by most luxury bus transport operators, was first introduced by ABC Transport in 2007, making it easier for travellers to book their trips and pay from the comfort of their homes and offices.
A mobile app was subsequently introduced to enhance the self-service.
Similarly, ABC Transport was the first to establish ultramodern terminals in Nigeria and beyond, with some of them in Lagos, Abuja, Owerri and Port Harcourt.

A high reputation for innovation, outstanding safety records and unique customer experience has since combined with the founder’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence as the driving force behind the company’s success.

Over the past 32 years, ABC Transport has achieved numerous milestones, including, of course, the addition of ABC Cargo Express, the logistics and warehousing division; and ABC Hauls, the haulage services arm.

With the recent deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks, to boost its cement haulage capacity at Lafarge Africa Plc’s cement factory, ABC Hauls and Cargo Express account for about 50 percent of ABC Transport operations.

ABC Hauls is one of Lafarge’s major transporters for the distribution of cement around the country.

ABC Cargo Express, which commenced operations also as a division, has now grown to be a wholly-owned subsidiary of the parent company. This was necessitated by its rapid growth and its ability to focus on the innovations going on in the logistics sector.

Through the Cargo division, the company moves hundreds of thousands of packages around West Africa, empowering many businesses with its dedicated e-commerce services.

ABC Transport also has the record of being the first, and so far, the only road transport company to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
Along with a seamless succession plan which ensured that the former Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Jude Nneji, took over from Mr. Frank Nneji, as the managing director, the company has been enjoying considerable stability, liquidity and ease of management.

The older Nneji (founder and former managing director) has since moved up to higher responsibilities, including playing a role as a director of the company .

The company has also been recognised for its outstanding performance in the transport industry, winning several awards and accolades both nationally and internationally.

Driver Training Academy, another offshoot of ABC Transport, and the first of its kind in Nigeria, graduated its first set of trainees in 2004.
The Academy was founded with a mission to ‘prepare and produce’ for Nigeria’s motoring environment, law-abiding and safety-conscious drivers who appreciate the value of human life.

It admits trainees from within ABC Transport and other organisations wishing to benefit from the comprehensive training packages approved by the Federal Road Safety Corps.

In 2012, ABC Transport ventured into auto production with its 50 percent stake in Transit Support Services Ltd (TSS), which is into the assembly of heavy and light duty trucks with its flagship brands as Shacman (including fire trucks), SETRAC CNG buses, as well as Forland Trucks.

TSS also provides to the local automotive market Asiastar luxury buses and BAW mini buses and ambulances assembled at its facility in Emene, Enugu.
This is in addition to the sale of automotive parts and after-sales support services

With its DTA, Cargo Express, TSS, and ABC Hauls, ABC Transport is the most diversified transport company in the West African sub-region, having also launched a hospitality arm with City Transit Inn in the Utako area of Abuja, to serve travellers arriving the Federal Capital Territory with budget accommodation.

Looking back to 1993, the founder recalled that to succeed, his management adopted, as a matter of policy, an uncompromising focus on the quality of service ABC rendered and gradually began resetting the standards for road transport operations in Nigeria

This they did by providing a comfortable and suitable alternative road travel means for the discerning traveller who would have otherwise opted to fly.

Thus, the average customer in Nigeria’s travel space embraced the new innovative, more comfortable, timeous, customer-centric and safety-conscious services ABC Transport provided at considerably cheaper rate than what it cost to travel by air.
As the management engages top gear in its current renewal efforts, the Managing Director says he is grateful to God, “and all our customers who have kept faith with us and kept faith with the brand. We will not let them down.”

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