Auto
Suzuki by CFAO ignites Nigerian auto market with gender-balanced Celerio

The small car segment in Nigeria has received a boost with the introduction of a new car, the Celerio, by Suzuki by CFAO Motors.
The public launch of the cost-effective and completely revamped Suzuki Celerio from the stable of CFAO Motors took place on Friday in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Celerio, described as a gender-balanced and self-sufficient car, is an addition to the auto company’s collection of latest technological advancement and it comes in a variety of colours.
It is equipped with a nine-inch entertainment screen, alloy wheels, and new generation AMT amongst much other enhanced technology and safety features.
Speaking during the historic Suzuki Celerio model launch, the General Manager of Suzuki by CFAO, Aissatou Diouf, said, “We are delighted to launch the Celerio, a gender-balanced and self-sufficient car that meets the needs of a large demography of the Nigerian market. We came into the Nigerian market with a clear plan to make Japanese cars accessible to Nigerians and we have continued to improve our value proposition. We can indeed say there is a Suzuki for everyone.”
The launch event, hosted by Oscar Oyinsan, event was technologically themed with a neon light ambiance and a workshop to experience the new Celerio real time.
The event, which was attended by notable personalities including captains of industry in Nigeria and beyond was organised in partnership with Autocheck, an automotive technology development company that enables seamless and safe automotive commerce experience across Africa, and Etap, a technology platform that provides auto insurance cover, instant claims with flexibility and rewards for driving safely.
The new car is the second generation of the Celerio and it is based on the company’s Heartect platform, an innovative new-generation platform, introduced exclusively for new generation cars with focus on safety.
The latest Suzuki Celerio is now 3,695mm long, 1,655mm high and 1,555mm wide. A longer wheelbase of 2,435mm has also helped in creating more space and comfort.
A critical look at the design shows that its big headlamps and chrome-stripped grille combine to give the Celerio a fresh front-end design.
The bumper also comes with claddings that house fog lights on top variants. In profile, one can see the new 15-inch alloys which look sporty. Lower variants will ride on 14-inch steel wheels.
CFAO Automotive is a division of the CFAO Group, which it says in a statement, “aims to meet the mobility needs of professionals and individuals.
“Comprising the most extensive vehicle retail network in Africa, we provide all mobility-related sectors with a multi-brand offer, partnering with global automotive manufacturers: sales of new and used vehicles, short or long-term rentals, fleet management and maintenance.
Our offers include the complete automotive offering such as two-wheelers, marine engines, coaches, lorries, handling equipment, tyres and spare parts.
“Our production and assembly sites in Africa are a shining example of our commitment to actively supporting industrialisation in the region and creating affordable offer to customers.”
Auto
CFAO subsidiary LOXEA unveils BYD electric vehicles in Nigeria

CFAO subsidiary LOXEA unveils BYD electric vehicles in Nigeria
A subsidiary of CFAO Mobility, LOXEA Nigeria, has introduced the BYD brand of electric vehicles to the Nigerian market.
LOXEA has thus become the pioneer in bringing the renowned electric vehicles (EVs) manufactured by BYD (Build Your Dreams) into the country.
BYD is a high-tech multinational company and the world leader in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
“As a Fortune Global 500 enterprise, BYD relentlessly innovates to create a sustainable future,” said the automaker.
“In November 2024, BYD becomes the first company in the world to achieve the milestone with the roll-off of its 10-millionth NEV.
“BYD achieves 4.27 million new energy vehicle sales in 2024, claiming the global sales champion in the third consecutive year.”
Managing Director of LOXEA Nigeria, Mr. Mehdi Slimani, stated, “We are proud to distribute this type of electric vehicle and all its associated services.
“Our upcoming showroom in Victoria Island, Lagos will be a place dedicated to the discovery of BYD vehicles, combining modernity, comfort, and economy of use. “It is very important for CFAO Mobility in Nigeria to participate in this way in the country’s energy transition and support our customers who wish to make the switch to electric.”
Chief Executive Officer of CFAO Mobility, Marc Hirschfeld, spoke on the importance of this launch for both the company and the country, saying, “BYD is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of electric vehicles, with a level of innovation know-how that now matches the expectations of our markets in Africa.
“A whole new ecosystem has to be designed around mobility in African cities.
“This applies not only to individual and corporate customers, but also to stakeholders including urban public transport networks and government agencies.
LOXEA specialises in providing innovative mobility solutions across Africa.
With a commitment to sustainability and excellence, it delivers high-quality mobility services, from electric vehicle leasing to fleet management and infrastructure support.
LOXEA is a leading player in innovative mobility solutions in Africa, offering clients a range of 100% electric vehicles from BYD.
As a pioneer in the deployment of electric vehicle solutions across the continent, LOXEA is bringing to Nigeria a comprehensive suite of services associated with electric vehicles.
This includes the installation of electric charging stations, vehicle maintenance, repair services, and the provision of spare parts.
In addition to providing an inaugural charging station at the upcoming LOXEA Victoria Island showroom, the company is also offering an adaptable solution that allows customers to charge their EVs conveniently at home.
The company says more information on this can be obtained from its website: https://www.byd-nigeria.com/ .
Auto
Lanre Shittu Motors to endow Automobile Department of Lagos Technical College

Lanre Shittu Motors to endow Automobile Department of Lagos Technical College
Lanre Shittu Motors has announced a novel idea that will boost automobile studies in a Lagos technical college.
Specifically, it has pledged to adopt the Automobiles Department of the Government Technical College, Aso-Soba in the Festac area of Lagos.
This is intended to raise academic and practical programme standards of the school.
The company said this would involve adequate funding, in-school training and intensive industrial training (IT) with welfare package to encourage more young people to pursue academic career in automotive engineering.
Business Support/Admin Manager of LSM, Mr Babatunde Adenuga, disclosed this in Lagos, in an interview with journalists.
Adenuga represented the LSM Managing Director, Mr Taiwo Shittu, at the just concluded Engineering Week of the college sponsored by the auto company, where he unveiled the plan to the staff and students at the event’s grand finale.
Aside from the needed financial support to make the auto department functional and standard, he said LSM would provide the tools, overall wears/workshop uniform, among others, as part of the welfare package for the students.
He said it would be a win-win situation for the school and the company.
Adenuga said, “The school will benefit immensely from the LSM package for the department as we take the financial trouble of running the department away from them.
“Students from the department can come for their internship at LSM workshops, and getting jobs after school won’t be difficult.
“For us, it will be a seamless arrangement in getting suitable personnel familiar with our training and business orientation.”
He also said the LSM had been absorbing students from the school and others for their industrial training (IT), providing them with useful hands-on training and monthly stipend to keep them going.
The LSM MD, Taiwo Shittu, commenting on the support, said, “We’ll be part of the progress of the school. We want to own a department in the technical college, the automobile department of studies that will enable us to fund the place; take care of the welfare of students, providing the tools, overall uniform and other facilities.”
“At LSM, we see training the youths as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility. Every year, we take in youths into our facility and train them; even while in training, we give them stipends.”
The highpoint of the LSM-sponsored Government Technical College event was the presentation of prizes to outstanding students in the various competitions held for the Engineering Week.
Three of the students whose projects stood out such as locally produced water pumping machine and water heater went home with impressive cash awards.
Principal of the college, Mr Folarin Sunkanmi, expressed appreciation to LSM for the interest in the school, starting with giving the students the opportunity for industrial training and offering them monthly stipend.
The principal commended the LSM efforts of sponsoring the engineering week’s activities, whose theme was given as ‘Engineering for Sustainable Development (Innovators of tomorrow)’
He urged other companies to emulate the LSM example in order to boost the employability chances of products of the technical colleges and engineering departments of higher institutions in the country.
Auto
Nigeria’s firm, Weststar Associates, shines in Dubai, wins Daimler Truck EliteClass award

Nigeria’s firm, Weststar Associates, shines in Dubai, wins Daimler Truck EliteClass award
Weststar Associates Limited, Authorised General Distributor of Daimler Truck in Nigeria, has brought honour home all the way from United Arab Emirates specifically at the EliteClass 2024 Season Awards.
Daimler Truck Middle East Africa the Weststar team with the Silver Award in the Elite CSP (Customer Service and Parts) Performance category.
This is contained in a statement issued in Lagos, which added that the EliteClass 2024 Awards ceremony brought together 40 Daimler Truck Business Partners for a night of recognition and celebration.
Held at the One & Only Royal Mirage in Dubai, the prestigious black-tie event honoured top-performing general distributors that have demonstrated exceptional performance, dedication, and commitment to excellence in 2024.
The EliteClass 2024 Awards C
ceremony was the culmination of a year-long EliteClass programme for the Middle East and Africa measuring 24 categories across the entire business spectrum for Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Daimler Buses, and Fuso Trucks & Bus.
The awards highlighted the dedication and resilience of partners who have achieved outstanding performance and a remarkable commitment to excellence and contributed significantly to Daimler Truck’s success in the MEA regions.
President & CEO of Daimler Truck Middle East Africa, Mr. Michael Dietz, emphasized the importance of collaboration and performance-driven success during his opening address. “EliteClass 2024 is more than just an awards ceremony—it is a testament to the hard work, commitment, and shared vision of our partners.
“Their achievements continue to drive our brand forward, setting new benchmarks in customer experience and operational excellence across the region,” he said.
Weststar’s General Manager, Sales, Mr. Christopher Irumudomon, was present at the EliteClass 2024 Season Awards ceremony to accept the Silver Award in the Elite CSP (Customer Service and Parts) Performance category.
While presenting this award, the Daimler Trucks MEA leadership made the following statement: “Congratulations on your achievement in the EliteClass Central Africa 2024 Season. We are pleased to recognize your individual category achievement.”
The EliteClass 2024 Awards reaffirms Daimler Truck’s commitment to excellence, continuous growth, and the recognition of partners who drive success in an evolving industry landscape.
According to the statement, Weststar Associates Limited continues to fly the flag of the “brand with the star” high in Nigeria.
It said the company had remained the go-to home for all Mercedes-Benz needs in this region.
“With a dealership network that expands to the major regions of the country, along with highly trained and experienced sales and after-sales staff. Nigerians can rest assured that they will always have ‘the best or nothing’ at their disposal,” it stated.
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