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Volvo tests electric buses in challenging climates

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Volvo has commenced the testing of its electric buses in warm climates as part of challenging test programmes in Spain and Mexico, among other places.
This is coming ahead of Volvo’s electric buses scheduled operation in the Norwegian town of Bodø. They will be the first to provide scheduled services north of the Arctic circle.
A report on Tuesday by automotiveworld.com quoted Marie Carlsson, Director Citymobility Business Development at Volvo Buses, as saying, “As one of the leading global suppliers of solutions for electric mobility, we must be able to meet our customers’ requirements and expectations regardless of where they operate. “That applies not only to environmental considerations but also availability, passenger comfort and safety. We test our products together with our customers in Arctic conditions and in warm climates to ensure that we have the best solutions for a range of different requirements.”
In 2020, the fully electric Volvo 7900 Electric bus was tested in Spanish cities, including Zaragoza, Santander and Madrid, where the ambient temperature during the test period sometimes exceeded 40°C. T
his made it possible to investigate in practice how the energy usage of the buses was affected by using the air conditioning to full capacity.
“Our buses performed well, and we were able to demonstrate that they are extremely reliable even in very hot climate conditions,” says Francisco Unda, Managing Director of Volvo Buses in Spain & Portugal.
The cities of Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao, Seville, among others are all expected to begin using electric vehicles in their public transport systems in the near future.
“We at Volvo Buses are ready to offer electrified solutions with different charging methods and service packages to the cities that want to start the move towards more sustainable public transport,” says Francisco Unda.
A Volvo 7900 Electric is currently also being tested in the busy Metrobus system in Mexico City. It will be in operation for six months and then the experiences from this trial period will be evaluated.
“The results of the tests will pave the way for the rapid electrification of public transport throughout the world. We have turnkey solutions that include everything from quiet, zero-emission buses to the charging infrastructure and servicing. This means that we can help to improve the living environments and lay the foundations for cities all over the world to become more sustainable,” says Carlsson.
Volvo has already supplied more than 6 500 electrified buses to cities worldwide. Its product range includes self-charging hybrids and fully electric buses.
In addition to the buses, Volvo’s electric mobility offering includes battery optimisation, charging infrastructure, servicing and maintenance.

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Honda shakes up Nigeria operations, dissolves HAWA, retains HMN 

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Honda shakes up Nigeria operations, dissolves HAWA, retains HMN 

Japanese automobile giant, Honda, has overhauled its operations in Nigeria, dissolving its automobile arm, Honda Automobile Western Africa Limited, and folding its business into Honda Manufacturing Nigeria Limited.

The restructuring, which took effect on September 1, 2026, followed the sanctioning of the merger by the Federal High Court, with HMN emerging as the surviving entity.

Under the new arrangement, HAWA, which had been responsible for Honda’s automobile business operations in the country, has ceased to exist as a separate corporate entity, while HMN has taken over its assets, liabilities, contracts, rights, obligations and ongoing business operations.

Honda, however, moved quickly to allay concerns over the development, assuring customers, dealers and business partners that the restructuring would not disrupt its automobile operations or affect the level of service and support they receive.

In a notification to its business partners dated August 31, 2026, Honda said the restructuring had resulted in the consolidation of both companies into “one unified entity”, with HMN assuming all assets, liabilities, rights, obligations, contracts, undertakings and business operations previously held or conducted by HAWA.

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The development means that existing relationships, arrangements and commitments involving HAWA will henceforth be managed and administered by HMN.

The company, however, stressed that the restructuring would not disrupt its automobile business operations in Nigeria.

“Automobile business operations previously conducted by HAWA will continue under HMN without interruption,” Honda assured its partners, adding that it remained committed to maintaining the same level of service, support and cooperation that customers and business partners had come to expect.

The restructuring is also expected to streamline Honda’s corporate structure in Nigeria by bringing its manufacturing and automobile business operations under a single surviving entity.

Honda said it was currently updating relevant corporate records and information as part of the integration process. These include corporate details, registered address, authorised signatories, management information and other related documentation.

It added that any changes requiring the attention of its business partners would be communicated in due course.

The company further requested the continued support and cooperation of its partners during the transition, while providing a copy of the Federal High Court order sanctioning the merger as an appendix to its notification.

 

Honda shakes up Nigeria operations, dissolves HAWA, retains HMN

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Abuja Roars to Life as Jetour X50 Headlines Three-Day Motoring Experience

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Abuja Roars to Life as Jetour X50 Headlines Three-Day Motoring Experience 

 

Abuja is gearing up for a major motoring spectacle as Jetour Nigeria brings its fast-growing brand experience to the Federal Capital Territory, with the stylish Jetour X50 set to take centre stage in a three-day showcase of performance, technology and automotive innovation.

Scheduled for September 22 to 24, 2026, the Jetour Experience Abuja will move beyond the conventional vehicle exhibition, giving motorists and prospective buyers the opportunity to test-drive the X50, interact with automotive specialists and experience a range of entertainment and interactive activities.

The Abuja activation follows the strong reception recorded during Jetour Nigeria’s recent Lagos experience and forms part of the automaker’s strategy to deepen customer engagement while expanding its footprint across Nigeria.

Backed by an expanding authorised dealer network comprising Elizade Nigeria Limited, Mandilas Autos, Germaine Auto Centre, Kojo Motors, R.T. Briscoe, Tab Autos and New Era AutoVehicle Services, Jetour is also strengthening access to vehicle sales, after-sales support, genuine spare parts and certified technical services nationwide.

At the heart of the Abuja experience will be the Jetour X50, a compact SUV designed to combine contemporary styling, performance and a technology-rich driving environment.

Powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine paired with a dual-clutch transmission, the X50 has positioned itself as a strong contender in Nigeria’s competitive compact SUV segment.

Jetour has equipped the model with a range of premium features, including a 360-degree camera, Blind Spot Detection, 10.5-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging and leather upholstery.

The combination of technology, comfort and performance is part of Jetour’s strategy of offering premium motoring features at competitive price points.

The Abuja event also highlights Jetour’s aggressive expansion strategy in Nigeria, following the brand’s recognition with industry accolades including Fastest Growing Auto Brand and Auto Brand of the Year.

With its expanding dealer network providing nationwide sales and after-sales support, Jetour is seeking to deepen customer engagement while making its vehicles and ownership services more accessible to motorists across the country.

As Abuja prepares to welcome the Jetour Experience, the three-day activation is expected to provide motorists with an opportunity to see, feel and drive the X50 while experiencing first-hand what is driving the brand’s growing appeal in Nigeria.

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Kaduna to Lead Govt Patronage of Local Vehicles as Sani Unveils Peugeot 5008

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Kaduna to Lead Govt Patronage of Local Vehicles as Sani Unveils Peugeot 5008

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has pledged to lead a fresh push for government patronage of vehicles assembled by Dangote Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (D-PAN), promising to make a strong case for the company at the National Economic Council (NEC).

Sani, who made the commitment while unveiling the new Peugeot 5008 2026 model at the D-PAN plant in Kaduna on Friday, said increased patronage by Federal and state government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) was critical to sustaining local vehicle assembly, protecting jobs and strengthening Nigeria’s automotive value chain.

The governor’s intervention comes amid renewed efforts to revive Nigeria’s automotive manufacturing industry by increasing local vehicle production and reducing dependence on imported completely built units.

Industry stakeholders have consistently identified government fleet procurement as a major instrument for creating sustained demand for locally assembled vehicles and encouraging investment in assembly plants.

With government agencies operating large vehicle fleets nationwide, stronger preference for locally assembled automobiles could provide the market certainty required by assemblers to expand production, develop local suppliers and deepen technology and skills transfer. It could also support the broader objective of increasing local content in Nigeria’s automotive industry.

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Against this background, Sani said government patronage remained crucial to ensuring the sustainability of local assembly operations and encouraging further investment in the sector.

“I will make a strong presentation at the National Economic Council, urging both the Federal and state governments to patronise the products of this company because that is the only way they can survive,” Sani said.

He also announced that the Kaduna State Government would procure some vehicles from D-PAN, saying the state would lead by example and encourage other governments to patronise locally assembled automobiles.

“As a government, Kaduna State will order some of the vehicles, so that we can show the example for others to follow by patronising this very important company,” the governor added.

Sani pledged continued support and collaboration between the Kaduna State Government and D-PAN, stressing the importance of strengthening local manufacturing as part of efforts to grow Nigeria’s industrial base.

He said D-PAN had made significant contributions to Kaduna’s economy through job creation, skills development and business opportunities for communities within and around its operating environment.

The governor also urged the company to consider employing graduates of the Kaduna State Institute of Vocational and Skills Development, who, according to him, recently completed intensive training in partnership with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

Sani commended D-PAN for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in communities around its plant, while urging the company to further expand its support for the host communities.

He said the peaceful relationship between D-PAN and its host community was important to the sustainability of the company’s operations, stressing that continued investment in the welfare and development of surrounding communities would help preserve the harmony.

 

Kaduna to Lead Govt Patronage of Local Vehicles as Sani Unveils Peugeot 5008

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