Updated: Toyota sets new record as Hilux, Starlet undergo Smokin Hills test drive - Newstrends
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Updated: Toyota sets new record as Hilux, Starlet undergo Smokin Hills test drive

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Although Toyota is a household name and a leading auto brand, it is often seen to shy away from test drive, especially in Nigeria.

But that notion no longer holds sway as Toyota Nigeria Limited last weekend released two of its models, the Hilux and all-new Starlet, for a comprehensive test drive at Ilara-Mokin, the hometown of the company’s chairman, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo, which is some 20-minute drive from Akure, Ondo State capital.

While the new generation Starlet, launched in Lagos some days earlier, was taken through an on-road race course, where the vehicle was indeed ‘flogged’ and made to undertake a lot of cornering, speeding through bumpy and flooded terrains, the Hilux went through a deeper off-road exposure of hilly, sloppy, rocky and muddy terrains where kids are strictly disallowed from riding along.

It was a two-day event with each model having a separate day and professional race drivers had the task of taking Toyota customers and enthusiasts including journalists through the terrains a number of times so they could have a total experience.

Some daring, experienced and brave drivers, including Newstrends editor also had time to drive the vehicles along the Smokin Hills race course.

Managing Director, Toyota Nigeria, Mr Kunle Ade-Ojo, represented at the event by the Head of Marketing at the TNL, Mr Andrew Ajuyah, said the main objective of releasing the Starlet for the test drive was to bring the vehicle to the doorsteps of customers, “offering you the opportunity to interact with the vehicle, get familiar with its features, ask questions as it relates to the vehicle and have a fun-filled day with us.”

He also said, “It is the latest on the stable of Toyota (Nigeria) Limited and the Starlet is a true Star in every sense of the word. It is a mini-subcompact SUV imbued with the Toyota DNA of quality, durability, reliability and style.”

Speaking on the Hilux Fleet Day, the TNL boss explained why the vehicle (Hilux) is described as a workhorse and a darling of many Nigerians.

He said, “The Hilux as you all know is a workhorse. This apt description of the Hilux is based on the fact that the vehicle responds to the dictates of the road no matter how rough. It glides as it takes on some of the most challenging terrains headlong.  Indeed, the vehicle which is also described as Beyond Tough for its mastery of inclement terrains stands above its peers in that segment. Little wonder it is the darling of many Nigerians.”

Marketing Manager, TNL, Mr Bayo Olawoyin, provided the detailed features of the 1.4 litre Starlet and the 2.7-litre Hilux released for the test drive on Friday and Saturday respectively.

A prominent professional racer at the event, Argo Raak, who noted that it was his first time of driving the Starlet, described it as a fantastic car for city cruise, adding, “It may not be advisable to take it for state-to-state trips for now; Hilux is ideal for that. It is not that the car cannot do it but not really ideal for a rough terrain.

He also spoke on the performance and quality of the Starlet, saying, “The best quality of the car is its fuel economy. I also enjoy the handling; it’s very soft and enhances the driving.

“It is one of the rare cars that give you an opportunity to view everywhere and everything when you are around the steering; no blind spot and I can press all the buttons. It is a car for me and my madam; it can go places where my truck cannot go.”

Angela Idiong, Business Development Manager at RT Briscoe, commenting on the Hilux performance at the event said, “The vehicle is rugged and one can use it for private family ride (on road) or official taking it to project sites (off road). Even in remotest place, Hilux will go there and pull through. Its parts are available and easy to fix should it break down. Its fuel efficiency is also superb.

“It’s a vehicle that you can easily find a good buyer even after using it for 25 years.”

Adeoye Ojuoko, founder of Work and Play (motorsport), who is the brain behind the test drive project, said the event was sponsored by Toyota Nigeria Limited.

He noted that Hilux test drive had shown how people could engage the two-wheel drive or L2 to do a lot more than they thought.

Ojuoko also spoke on the choice of Ilara-Mokin for the event.

He said, “We are doing off-road rally at the Smokin Hill, Ilara-Mokin because of the terrain and we are building track there with the support of Chief Ade.Ojo.

“We are trying to look at the idea of creating a good environment for motorsport events as well as test drives. “One major thing the automobile industry in Nigeria lacks is an avenue or a centre to compare the performance of different brands of vehicles.”

He expressed optimism that the event would spur other automakers and dealers to take part in future motorsport programmes.

“What we are doing is not for Toyota alone; what we have built is for other brands and dealerships too. They will be given the opportunity for their customers to test drive available and new vehicles and engage them well in what they are doing,” Ojuoko said.

He said he was satisfied with the outcome of the programme, which attracted visitors from Ondo, Lagos and Abuja, among others.

“It has become a passion for me; it started from my hometown, Ilara-Mokin with the support of Chief Ade-Ojo; and it is growing,” he said.

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Officers Abroad Benefit as FRSC Promotes over 10,000 Personnel in Tech-Driven Exercise 

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Officers Abroad Benefit as FRSC Promotes over 10,000 Personnel in Tech-Driven Exercise 

 

In a major demonstration of its growing reliance on technology, the Federal Road Safety Corps has conducted a nationwide promotion exercise, enabling officers on academic programmes overseas to participate remotely while deploying surveillance cameras and independent observers to ensure transparency.

The promotion exercise, described by the Corps as one of the largest and most technologically advanced in its history, benefited more than 10,000 personnel.

It covered 3,597 Intermediate Rank Officers and 6,408 Junior Officers across the country, according to a statement issued by the Corps Public Education Officer, Deputy Corps Commander Osondu Ohaeri.

The exercise was conducted under the leadership of the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, and formed part of ongoing efforts to modernise personnel management and ensure merit-based career progression within the organisation.

A major highlight of the exercise was the successful inclusion of FRSC personnel pursuing academic and professional programmes outside Nigeria.

Through the deployment of advanced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) platforms, officers on study leave abroad were able to participate in the promotion process remotely without disrupting their educational activities.

The Corps said the initiative underscored its commitment to ensuring that no eligible officer was denied career advancement opportunities because of geographical location or personal development commitments.

“This development demonstrates the Corps’ resolve to remove barriers to promotion and create an inclusive system that rewards excellence regardless of where personnel are located,” the statement noted.

To guarantee fairness and credibility, the FRSC introduced real-time monitoring mechanisms, including surveillance cameras deployed across all examination centres and independent observers drawn from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Federal Character Commission.

The exercise commenced on June 14, 2026, simultaneously across the Corps’ 12 Zonal Commands, with representatives of the Corps Marshal overseeing proceedings to ensure strict compliance with established standards.

The FRSC, the technology-driven promotion system eliminated many of the traditional bottlenecks associated with promotion exercises, enhanced operational efficiency, and provided all eligible personnel with equal opportunities to compete based solely on merit, competence, and performance.

The Corps further stated that the successful conduct of the exercise reflected Corps Marshal Mohammed’s vision of building a highly motivated, professional, and future-ready workforce where hard work, innovation, commitment, and excellence are consistently recognised and rewarded.

Under his leadership, the Corps noted, significant reforms have been introduced to improve personnel welfare, strengthen institutional capacity, and leverage technology to enhance service delivery and internal administrative processes.

The FRSC said the promotion exercise has further boosted staff confidence in the organisation’s career advancement system, while encouraging greater productivity, accountability, and healthy competition among personnel.

The Corps described the successful completion of the exercise as another milestone in its drive to institutionalise global best practices and transform the agency into a modern, digitally driven organisation capable of meeting contemporary public service demands.

It maintained that the promotion process reinforced the principle that professionalism, dedication, and outstanding performance remain the primary pathways to career advancement within the Corps, while supporting its broader objective of building a motivated workforce committed to safer roads and improved service delivery for Nigerians.

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Carloha Extends Award-Winning 6-6-7 Care to All New Energy Vehicles 

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Carloha Extends Award-Winning 6-6-7 Care to All New Energy Vehicles 

 

For many Nigerians, the transition to New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) has been held  by a single, nagging qbackuestion: “If something goes wrong, who will fix it?” While the Nigerian market has seen a surge in hybrid and electric models, the promise of innovation has often been overshadowed by the lack of spare parts, soaring maintenance costs, and indefinite workshop stays.
Carloha Nigeria is officially putting those fears in the rearview mirror.
In a landmark move announced at the launch of the all-new Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV, Carloha has extended its award-winning CarlohaCare 6-6-7 package to its entire lineup of New Energy Vehicles. This isn’t just a service plan; it is a total commitment to peace of mind, according to a statement from the auto company.

The statement provides some of the details of the package as follows:

The 6-6-7 Promise: Redefining Ownership
The “6-6-7” package is built on a foundation of reliability that earned Carloha the prestigious *Most Outstanding Aftersales Car Company Award* from the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA). It covers:
6 Years Warranty: Long-term protection for your investment.

6 Years Free Scheduled Servicing: Zero maintenance costs for the road ahead.
7-Day Repair Guarantee: If your vehicle isn’t ready within seven days, Carloha provides a courtesy vehicle to keep you moving.

Confidence in Every Charge
“Consumers should be able to embrace the future of mobility with confidence,” said Dexter Li, Marketing Director at Carloha Nigeria.

“By extending this package, we aren’t just selling cars; we are removing the barriers to sustainable transport. We are proving that our NEVs are built for the Nigerian road, backed by a support system that never leaves you stranded.”

By bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and dependable support, Carloha Nigeria says it is doing more than just selling vehicles—it’s setting a new standard for the Nigerian automotive landscape.

For the forward-thinking driver, the message is clear: the future of mobility is here, and for the first time, it comes with a guarantee you can actually count on, says Carloha.

 

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Massilia Motors Slashes Mitsubishi L200 Price to ₦42m for Anniversary Campaign

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Massilia Motors Slashes Mitsubishi L200 Price to ₦42m for Anniversary Campaign

 

Massilia Motors Nigeria has unveiled a special anniversary pricing offer on the new Mitsubishi L200 pickup truck to celebrate one year of the latest model’s introduction into the Nigerian market, with prices now starting from ₦42 million.

The company, the sole authorised distributor of Mitsubishi Motors in Nigeria and a joint venture between the CFAO Group and the Chanrai Group, said the limited-time offer applies to all variants of the L200, urging prospective buyers to take advantage of the promotion while stocks last.

The latest-generation L200 entered the Nigerian market backed by strong international recognition. The pickup won the Design Car of the Year award at the 2024–2025 Japan Car of the Year Awards, earning praise for its bold “Beast Mode” styling and practical interior design. It also clinched the Best Mid-size Pickup title at the 2024 Arab Car of the Year Awards for its performance, durability and reliability.

Since its launch, the vehicle has gained acceptance among operators in key sectors of the economy, including construction, agriculture, mining and logistics, where ruggedness, payload capacity and dependable performance are critical.

Built on Mitsubishi’s long-standing expertise in pickup engineering, the L200 combines off-road capability and commercial-grade toughness with modern comfort, safety and technology features.

Massilia Motors said the pickup’s growing popularity reflects the increasing demand for versatile vehicles capable of handling Nigeria’s diverse operating conditions while meeting the expectations of both fleet operators and individual customers.

The company added that ownership of the L200 is supported by a comprehensive aftersales package, including genuine spare parts availability, certified service support and a warranty covering three years or 100,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.

Speaking on the milestone, the Managing Director of Massilia Motors Nigeria, Olivier Lamoure, said the L200 had lived up to expectations since its introduction to the market.

“One year in, the L200 has proven exactly what we believed it would — that the Nigerian market has a real appetite for a pickup truck that is built to work without compromise,” Lamoure said.

He noted that the anniversary pricing offer was designed to reward existing customers and provide an opportunity for prospective buyers to acquire the vehicle at a more attractive price.

According to him, the special pricing will only be available for the remainder of the month, making it a timely opportunity for businesses and individuals considering the pickup.

Massilia Motors provides vehicle sales, genuine parts and certified aftersales support to individual and fleet customers through its operations in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and other locations across the country.

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