Piaggio partners Bhojsons to distribute Ape three wheelers in Nigeria

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.”