Toyota to introduce new budget car before December 31

• Honours DPR, Customs, First Bank, others

Toyota Nigeria Limited has revealed its plans to introduce to the market a new entry-level vehicle before the end of the year, its Managing Director, Mr Kunle Ade-Ojo, stated this in Lagos.

He said this at the 2020 edition of the company’s annual customers’ award event, held in Lekki, where the Department of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria Customs Service and First Bank of Nigeria, among others, were honoured for being loyal to the brand.

Ade-Ojo said the new entry-level vehicle would come “at a friendly price”.

The TNL MD however did not reveal the name of the new product and its other details.

He said also hinted that the company planned to “stage a fleet conference that will unveil plans being put together by the TNL to continue to serve the best interest of its teeming customers in the country.”

He assured customers of the company’s commitment to continue to meet their expectations at every customer touch point.

He thanked the customers for their continued patronage and Toyota dealers for their unwavering commitment to satisfy the customers.

A statement by the company said the TNL Chairman, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo, had earlier spoken about quality of the Toyota brand, which he noted was built “on a strong foundation of the ‘can-do spirit’.

He said notwithstanding the quality and performance of the brand, “We will continue to seek new ways to reach out to our numerous customers to fulfill our mandate to keep them happy and satisfied.”

The TNL chairman also said the annual award was designed to appreciate “our teeming corporate and individual customers who have been loyal to us through the years and not forgetting our indefatigable dealers that have been resolute in their quality of service delivery to our esteemed customers.”

The gesture, according to him, “is hinged on our philosophy of rewarding loyalty no matter the circumstance. We will push beyond new horizons to achieve set targets.”

The Head, Dealer Development and Special Projects, Mr Henry Ojuoko, thanked all winners for their commitment and encouraged others to be in the winner’s seat next time, adding that company looked forward to a bright and rewarding 2021.

It stated that the DPR won the Evergreen Customer of the Year award for its commitment and consistent patronage of Toyota products and services over the years.

The Nigeria Customs Service came first in the customer of the year category; the First Bank was declared the first runner-up while another bank, Guaranty Trust Bank emerged the second runner-up.

Representatives of all the winning organizations expressed appreciation for TNL’s recognition and reward of their patronage.

They assured that they would continue to patronise the TNL urged the firm to remain consistent in its delivery of quality service and products.

Prizes were also presented to auto journalists that proved their mettle and professionalism in their objective reporting of activities/events in the automobile industry and the TNL activities. Rasheed Bisiriyu formerly of Punch newspapers came first in the Motoring Journalist of the Year category; Theodore Opara of Vanguard newspapers emerged first runner-up while Mike Ochonma of BusinessDay was declared the second runner-up.

According to the statement, the TNL remains the sole distributor of Toyota products for Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Japan in Nigeria.

It said, “The company is well-positioned pan Nigeria to provide industry-best after-sale service in the areas of genuine parts, vehicles servicing/repairs and sales of Toyota vehicles approved for Nigerian roads/environment by TMC Japan.

“The TNL has enjoyed the patronage of innumerable number of customers since inception while the organisation continuously seeks the best approach and technology to meet customers’ needs and aspirations.

“Consequently, the TNL on annual basis rewards its loyal customers that have remained resolute in their commitment to the brand and its services. Year 2020 was not an exception despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the organisation made good to reward its loyal customers.”