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Uncertainty as new policy compels MDAs, contractors to buy Nigeria-assembled vehicles

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Uncertainty as new policy compels MDAs, contractors to buy Nigeria-assembled vehicles

All government ministries, departments and agencies as well as companies working on government contracts will henceforth be compelled to buy locally produced vehicles in line with the provisions of the 2023 automotive policy.

The National Automobile Design and Development Council (NADDC) stated this as part of the gains of the revised policy aimed at increasing local content of vehicles produced in Nigeria to 40 per cent.

This is contained in the highlights of the just approved 2023 Nigeria Automotive Industry Development Plan obtained by Newstrends on Tuesday from the NADDC website.

It stated, “The new approved NAIDP is aimed at enabling the exponential increase in the local production numbers of vehicles, reaching 40% local content, attaining 30% locally produced Electric Vehicles, generating 1million jobs, enforcing patronage of locally produced vehicles by government and companies working on government contracts, and also boosting R&D and technology transfer.”

But auto industry players are disappointed that the decision is coming barely two weeks to the end of this administration.

They lamented that their multi-billion naira investments in assembly plants had been in doldrum due to policy summersault and change of government.

“It is uncertain that the incoming administration will not jettison the policy or embark on a fresh review,” a chief operating officer of a frontline auto firm told Newstrends.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting last Wednesday announced the new 10-year national automotive policy that would span 2023-2033.

He said the new policy would explore how the automotive industry could migrate seamlessly from combustible engines to electric/solar-powered engines.

He said it was an improvement over the 2013 Nigeria Automotive Industry Development Plan, introduced by the Goodluck Jonathan administration when Olusegun Aganga was industry minister.

Although many approved auto assembly plants had promptly jumped into operation then, producing semi-knocked down (SKD) automobiles and taking advantage of the zero duty regime on imported components, their business later drastically went down largely due to low patronage.

The auto industry bill also failed to get President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent and was returned for a review, expecting to get more stakeholders input.

Speaking on the new approved policy last week, Minister Adebayo said, “The whole idea is to bring it up to date with current realities. Also, to put our auto industry on the proper footing, I don’t know if you are aware that we have capacity today to assemble 400,000 vehicles.

 

“One thing that happens to the auto industry is that when the assembly or companies move into a country to make that investment, which can be anything between $300 to $400 million for the assembly plant. What happens is that the makers of the components that go into the manufacture of these vehicles also move to that country to set up competent baking factories.“

But many auto assemblers and other players in the nation’s automobile industry are not happy that vital decisions concerning the sector would come in the twilight of the administration.

They told Newstrends that nobody was sure if the incoming administration would implement the new policy.

“As we speak, no law is backing all these proposals, thus putting our huge investment in assembly plants in jeopardy,” said a major player.

Managing Director of R. T. Briscoe, Seyi Onajide, and MD, BKG Exhibition Limited, Ifeanyi Agwu, are of the view that auto policy without component makers would amount to putting the cart before the horse by starting.

“The local content suppliers must be in place first before you now talk of having car assembly plants,” said Onajide in a recent interview with the Nigeria Auto Journal 2023 édition.

He added, “If they are not on the ground, then we are just deceiving ourselves. We need to learn from our past mistakes.”

Director-General of the NADDC Jelani Aliyu, however said everything had been perfected to get the necessary approvals for the policy to become a bidding law.

Uncertainty as new policy compels MDAs, contractors to buy Nigeria-assembled vehicles

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Toyota corporation taps on Winpart by CFAO to distribute CWorks batteries in Nigeria 

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Toyota corporation taps on Winpart by CFAO to distribute CWorks batteries in Nigeria 

 

Leading distributor and importer of high-quality automotive spare parts and lubricants in Nigeria, Winpart by CFAO, has commenced the distribution of Cworks batteries in Nigeria.

Cworks is a premium automotive battery brand from Toyota Tsusho Corporation.

The battery introduction, the company says, marks a new era of reliability, durability, and high performance for Nigerian motorists and businesses.
The firm in a statement obtained by Newstrends says as an official distributor and importer of top-quality automotive spare parts, Winpart by CFAO has continued to bring globally trusted brands to Nigeria, ensuring that vehicle owners and businesses have access to world-class solutions.

Developed under the renowned Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Cworks batteries are engineered to deliver superior power, a longer lifespan, and consistent performance in all driving conditions.

Winpart by CFAO says CWorks is a product of “renowned Toyota Tsusho excellence, designed to meet global automotive standards; long-lasting performance, built for durability and resilience on Nigerian roads and weather conditions.”
The company disclosing that the batteries are now available through Winpart by CFAO outlets added that the product would facilitate “reliable power supply, ensuring smooth engine starts and sustained power for all vehicle types”.
General Manager of Winpart by CFAO, Mohamed TALEB, said, “We are excited to introduce Cworks batteries to Nigerian motorists. As a brand from Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Cworks battery reflects the same commitment to quality and performance that Toyota is known for worldwide.

“With Winpart by CFAO, Nigerians can now enjoy a battery that delivers reliability, longevity, and value.”

According to the firm, through Winpart by CFAO, Cworks batteries will be available across Nigeria via authorized dealers and service centres, ensuring easy access to high-quality battery solutions.
The company added that more information on CWORKS Batteries, can be obtained from its website- www.winpart.com.ng.

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CFAO subsidiary LOXEA unveils BYD electric vehicles in Nigeria

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Left to Right: Pierre Touloute, CFAO Group BYD brand Manager; Gbenga Oyebode, Chairman, CFAO Nigeria; Folasade Ambrose, Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment, Lagos State; Mehdi Slimani, Managing Director, LOXEA Nigeria and Ramy Yao, BYD Sales Director, Africa and Middle East during the launch of BYD Electric vehicles in Lagos, by CFAO Mobility Nigeria held in Ikoyi, Lagos... Friday, March 28, 2025

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.com/ng.

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Lanre Shittu Motors to endow Automobile Department of Lagos Technical College 

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LSM team presenting cheques to winners of competitions held at the Engineering Week of Lagos Technical College, Aso-Soba, Festac... recently

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.

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