The Nation Newspaper

Category: Motoring

  • Horror and lessons on Oyo – Ogbomoso road

    Horror and lessons on Oyo – Ogbomoso road

    On Sunday, March 15, I witnessed a very pathetic road crash. Shortly after Ogbomosho, there was a very long queue of vehicles, all at a standstill.

    With the new zeal  I received at the National Executive Council meeting of the Association of Driving Instructors of Nigeria(ADIN) the previous day, I came out of my vehicle and jogged to the front to know the cause of the traffic  jam and also profer possible solution.  Alas! it was a ghastly motor accident which resulted from a head- on collision between a trailer and a 15-passenger bus.

    As at the time I got to the scene, 7 people were already dead while several other  passengers  were  groaning in pains and rolling in pools of blood with no help coming from any quarter.

    I immediately called the emergency number of the Federal Road Safety Commission(FRSC) which rang severally but no response from anyone. I and two of my colleagues started trying the  numbers of the FRSC Officers that we know until an Officer in Port Harcourt picked the call and assured us that he will contact the Ogbomoso office of FRSC for rescue operation.

    It is disheartening that a very busy road like the Ogbomoso to Oyo road, which  always play host to lots of trucks and articulated vehicles (Trailers and Tankers) can lack regular Police or FRSC patrol operation. It is very painful to see Nigeria in this stage in this jet age century.

    I hereby suggest the following:

    1. That there should be a regular patrol of the Oyo- Ogbomoso road by the FRSC Officers;

    2. That the Federal Government, as a matter of urgency, should complete the Oyo-Ogbomoso portion of the newly dualised Ibadan- Ilorin road;

    3. That the deep or eroded road shoulders should be urgently filled with laterite sand by the Federal or State Government;

    4. That there should be adequate traffic signs and road markings on the road;

    5. That every State Government in Nigeria should run Ambulance services particularly on the roads with high rate of accident;

    6. That the State Government Ambulance or Emergency service should have active emergency number with Attendants or Operators working 24/7;

    7. That FRSC emergency centre should be functional everyday, every second(24/7), no matter what;

    8. That every local government should operate functional ambulance service 24/7.

    9. That the Federal Government and the National Council on Transport should design a policy, which will empower members of the public to take road accident victims to hospitals for treatment without being rejected by the public and private hospitals;

    10. That the Government should formulate policies or enact a law though the National  Assembly  compelling all Government and Private hospitals to immediately commence the treatment of road accident Victims whether or not money is deposited. Government should bank roll the bill of the  innocent road accident victims of passenger vehicles, peradventure, this will encourage Federal, State and Local Governments to become more committed to the reduction of road accidents through the construction of good roads, timely maintenance of bad roads, installation of appropriate traffic signs, compulsion of public and private sector Organisations to regularly re-train their Drivers in the Driving Schools(theory and practical training), discouragement of the prevailing sharp practices in the processing and obtention of Driver Licence, compelling all Basic Learners to undergo intensive theory and practical training in training schools no matter who they are, Institutionalisation of  well- structured Theory and Practical Tests for Learners before being given Driver Licence as it obtains in several Countries and the promotion of unbiased enforcement of traffic rules and regulation with uncompromised reasonable penalties;

    11. Governments and their Construction Companies must reduce the numbers and degree of sharp bends on every road constructed and that:

    12. Governments and their Construction Companies must avoid deep valleys on roads. Piling system or pillars can be used instead. The accidents on Oyo-Ogbomoso, Oka-Okene, Owo-Ikare, Abuja- Jos and Abuja-Makurdi roads are just few examples to buttress the above-mentioned points.

    Human lives are precious and irreparable and their safety must be given topmost priority by the Government and everyone.

     

  • Auto giants to ‘lock horns’ at Motor Fair

    Major automobile manufacturers and dealers in Nigeria are to ‘lock horns’ at the forthcoming Lagos Motor Fair and Autoparts Expo, the organisers have said.

    The 10th edition of the fair scheduled to hold at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, according to the organisers, BKG Exhibitions Limited, will be a benchmark in auto show business in West Africa.

    BKG Managing Director, Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, said notable banks and insurance companies, major oil companies, manufacturers and dealers in auto-accessories have indicated interest to be part of the event.

    Agwu assured visitors, exhibitors and the public of forthcoming days of serious business and fun.

    “Each of the seven days that the fair will last is loaded with activities and events that will make this edition remarkably different and we intend to improve and add on this in subsequent editions,” Agwu said.

    The fair, he said, will parade unique range of automobile products from notable companies from Asia, dominated by the Japanese, the Chinese and the South Korean auto- firms.

    From local market, products from Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Kia, Nissan, among others will be on display. PAN Nigeria, National Trucks Manufacturers Limited (NTM) will showcase the latest in their range of products.

    The products will include exotic cars, sports utility vehicles (SUV), light and heavy duty haulage trucks, and buses of various capacities for corporate and mass transit businesses.

    The European and American continents, he said, will equally present  products from the stables of Ford, Mack, Mercedes, Chevrolet, Volvo, BMW and Skoda.

    “Strategically, as we did in the last three years, we are laying a great emphasis on the Spare Parts sector in this edition. This is as a result of our guided intention to enhance the development of cottage industries in the spare parts sub-sector, with attendant multiplier effects on the economy,” Agwu said.

    He added: “It is also spurred by the need to ginger activities in the sub-sector to complement the setting up of Auto clusters as espoused by the new automotive policy. Our target is to attract many reputable Original Equipment Manufacturers of Spare Parts (OEMSP) from across the globe to participate at the fair  and in subsequent ones. Over 100 confirmed Original Equipment Manufacturers from all over the world are already preparing to be at the show.

    “In conjunction with our foreign partners, SENEXPO International Fairs Inc of Turkey, we have reached out to many of such companies and happily the response has been tremendous and we are expecting close to 150 of them. Our intention in bringing them to Lagos, which is the hub of automotive business in West Africa, is to enable Nigerians and neighbouring West African countries engage in auto spare business and work out rewarding business relationships with the main companies engaged in the manufacture of auto spare parts.”

  • Hyundai Sonata gets Best Family Car award

    Hyundai Sonata gets Best Family Car award

    The 2015 Hyundai Sonata was named a Kelley Blue Book’s  Best Family Car of 2015. The Sonata was recognised for providing families with safety, comfort, compatibility with car seats, cargo space, rear-seat entertainment and extra features. The vehicles were evaluated by families and the automotive experts of KBB.com.

    “The redesigned Sonata continues to deliver on key attributes that are important to today’s families – safety, value, technology, ride and roominess,” said Mike O’Brien, Vice-President of Corporate and Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America.

    In addition to an added level of convenience, this can improve safety by reducing distraction, owing to the familiar smartphone interface.

    The all-new seventh-generation Sonata offers a more refined look through a new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language, stiffer body structure, better ride quality, reduced noise, vibration and harshness and advanced safety and convenience features.

    Sonata truly democratises the premium design and convenient technology.

  • Musk: ‘Auto steering’ included in new Tesla update

    A software update to Tesla Motors (TSLA)’ Model S will include “auto steering,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk said.

    “We can basically go between San Francisco and Seattle without the driver doing anything,” Musk said.

    With the technology, which should be ready in “about three months,” drivers will not have to control the steering wheel, acceleration or braking when the car is on a highway. The announcement came during a press conference in which Musk detailed a separate update that includes a “range assurance” application and a trip planner.

    The software will warn Model S drivers before they drive out of charging range and plan routes with charging stations, making it “basically impossible” to run out of battery before reaching a station.

    The Model S will also get automatic emergency braking and side collision warnings with the new update.

    Tesla has attempted to alleviate concerns that trips would take cars out of charging range. It is among the challenges the company has faced after posting a quarterly loss last month as it struggled to keep up with its production target.

    Musk hinted at the software update in a tweet, saying the company would “end” range anxiety, or concerns about reaching a charging station before battery runs out:

  • Unveiling the new Acura TLX

    The Acura TLX is lighter than the TL, which it replaces and one can feel the weight difference when driving. There is an enjoyable combination of everyday comfort and sporty back-roads prowess that meets desires for a luxury sport sedan. The steering does not have a lot of feel, but the TLX still goes around turns with an unexpected level of nimbleness. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO writes with agency addition

    If the TLX name sounds vaguely familiar, that’s because it is. Acura has removed the compact TSX and the mid-size TL sedans from its lineup and combined them into an all-new vehicle, the 2015 Acura TLX. Size-wise, the TLX is longer than the TSX, but shorter than the TL and, as such, is better suited to appeal to entry-level luxury sedan shoppers.

    Thankfully, the TLX has inherited many of the attributes from its forebears. Acura gives a choice of two updated engines — either the TSX’s four-cylinder or the TL’s V6 — and both offer enhanced fuel economy, thanks in part to new eight- and nine-speed automatic transmissions. As was the case with the TL, all-wheel drive is available with the V6 and it again utilised to provide both enhanced traction in inclement weather and sportier handling.

    The TLX also gives you a nice mix of luxury and sport. The roomy and impressively quiet cabin is a comfortable place to spend your commuting hours, and it comes with plenty of high-tech equipment as standard. Away from the highway, the TLX is enjoyable to drive. It feels nimble around turns, and all TLXs come with shift paddles to give you direct control of those new transmissions.

    Of course, combine two cars and there is bound to be a little collateral damage. The four-cylinder engine, while certainly capable enough, can’t match the stronger punch provided by turbo-charged four-cylinders found in many competing models. The TL also features Acura’s latest dual-screen electronics interface, but we’ve found its functionality leaves a little to be desired. And while the TLX is impressively well rounded, it can come off as a little bland compared to the more lavish or customisable design of some rivals.

    This might be the case should one check out the all-stars of the segment, the 2015 BMW 3 Series and 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The 3 Series continues to offer an excellent mix of sporting performance and luxury, while the redesigned C-Class sets new levels for interior opulence. Other great picks to think about include the 2015 Audi A4, 2015 Lexus IS and 2015 Volvo S60. Yet, if you do some research you’ll no doubt discover that these cars often end up costing thousands more when comparably equipped to the TLX. So, if one factor in that value along with its sporty driving demeanour and everyday comfort, the 2015 Acura TLX is definitely an entry-level luxury sedan to check out.

     

    Body Styles

    The TLX is a midsize luxury sedan offered in three main trim levels: base, Technology and Advance. Technology and Advance are essentially options packages that are available on both front- and all-wheel-drive TLX models.

    For standard equipment, the base TLX gets 17-inch alloy wheels, all-wheel steering, LED headlights and brake lights, a sunroof, heated side mirrors, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, vinyl (leatherette) upholstery, heated front seats, an eight-way power driver seat (with power lumbar), a four-way power front passenger seat (eight-way on V6), 60/40-split-folding rear seatbacks, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. Also standard are Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a rear-view camera, Siri Eyes Free functionality, two display screens (an upper 8-inch display and a lower 7-inch touchscreen) and a seven-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, smartphone app integration (Aha and Pandora), an auxiliary audio input jack and an iPod/USB audio interface.

    Upgrade to the Technology package and you get leather upholstery, driver memory settings, lane departure warning, a blind-spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, voice commands, a navigation system and an Acura/ELS 10-speaker sound system. Available only with the V6 engine, the Advance package adds 18-inch wheels, front and rear parking sensors, remote ignition, LED foglights, auto-dimming side mirrors, ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and automatic braking for forward collision mitigation.

     

    Powertrains

    The 2015 Acura TLX gives you a choice of two engines: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 3.5-liter V6. The 2.4-liter engine generates 206 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque. It’s offered only with front-wheel drive and is paired with a specialized eight-speed automated manual transmission. (It’s an automated dual-clutch manual, much like’s VW’s DSG or Porsche’s PDK, but Acura has also fitted a conventional automatic’s torque converter to it for claimed smoother operation at slow speeds.)

    During Edmunds testing, a TLX 2.4 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds, which is on the slow side for this segment. EPA estimated fuel economy with the 2.4-liter engine is 28 mpg combined (24 city/35 highway), which is very good for this class of car.

    As for the 3.5-liter V6, it’s rated at 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 is offered with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

     

    Safety

    Standard safety features on the TLX include antilock disc brakes, stability control and traction control, a rear-view camera, front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, a driver knee airbag and active front head restraints.

    During testing of both a TLX 2.4 and TLX 3.5, we recorded identical stopping distances from 60 mph of 129 feet, which is about 7 feet longer than average for this segment.

    Optional safety equipment includes front and rear parking sensors, a blind-spot warning system, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning and automatic braking for frontal collision mitigation.

     

    Interior Design and      Special Features

    The TLX’s interior is a step up compared to the TSX and TL. The front seats in the TLX have thick yet soft padding and decent lateral support to provide high levels of comfort. The rear seat is quite plush, too, with a comfortable seatback angle. Rear-seat headroom will be a bit tight for tall adults, though legroom is generous for this segment. Acura says it employed extensive noise-cancelling measures in the TLX. The latter seem to have worked, as very little wind and road noise makes its way into the cabin, which makes for easy conversation.

    The interior’s overall look is clean and similar to Acura’s flagship RLX sedan and MDX crossover. The gauges are easy to read and the stacked display screen combo is used to show and control most of the car’s functions. The learning curve for this interface is pretty painless but some of the touch screen controls are tedious to use and the overall graphic resolution is underwhelming. And while overall interior quality is certainly nice, a few of the trim pieces aren’t quite as rich-looking or -feeling as what one finds in an A4 or C-Class, for instance.

     

  • Council rehabilitates 10 roads

    Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has rehabilitated no fewer than 10 roads within 10 weeks.

    The roads include 4th avenue, Rufus Banjo, Modupe, Abiara, Ajijola Annobi, Abosede Aro, Foursquare, Opeki Streets. Others are Awori by Balogun Ladega and Macus link to Ojurogbe.

    The council’s Executive Secretary, Princess Opeyemi Akindele, said the gesture was in line with the mandate given to them by Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, during the swear-in of the 57 Executive Secretaries to the Local Governments and LCDAs.

    Akindele promised not to rest on her oars to ensure more deliverables to the community.

    She appealed to residents of the areas the council has not grade their roads to bear with her administration, promising to look into their plight soon.

    The council boss enjoined the community leaders to ensure proper maintenance of the projects.

    According to her, if the roads are not well maintained, it could amount to wasting of tax payers’ fund used for their rehabilitation.

  • Stallion NMN woos customers with new facility

    Stallion NMN, authorised Nissan sales company has inaugurated another multimillion billion naira 3S (sales, spares and service) facility in Victoria Island,  Lagos to provide one-stop shopping convenience to customers.

    The new facility which is coming barely two years since the Nissan franchise was re-launched in Nigeria between Nissan Motor Company and renowned West African business conglomerate, Stallion Group would allow customers to see a more complete line-up of Nissan vehicles.

    The third in the series after the Gbagada in Lagos and Abuja showrooms, the Stallion NMN Victoria Island facility would not only help in discerning patrons evaluate their favourite Nissan models but ensure a faster and efficient service for their existing vehicles.

    Managing Director Stallion NMN Parvir Singh said the construction of the new Nissan facility is in line with business expansion plan to provide a higher level of customer satisfaction through integrated facility and enhanced hospitality.

    He said the project was part of the company’s core strategies of delivering world-class customer experience and asserting Nissan’s increasing potential in Nigeria’s automobile market.

    Describing Nigerian market as significant to Nissan’s cardinal objective to meet global corporate identity for quality service and customer satisfaction, Singh said: “Nissan’s global objective has conveyed the responsibility of repositioning and enhancing Nissan’s influence in Nigeria on Stallion NMN.”

    The facility, he stated, will create an improved atmosphere for quality experience and enhanced customers’ interactive relationship with the Nissan brand. Modern and spacious, the showroom is built to standard with theatre-like display arena and a cantilever exhibition platform on the second floor capable of holding up to 10 vehicles at a time with a quick service facility, canteen, offices and conference room.

    Also incorporating Nissan’s latest Retail Visual Identity, customers can view their cars from the comfort of the customer lounge and enjoy facilities such as coffee bar, wide-screen TV and Wifi service.

    The entire showroom offers ample vehicle display area with an entrance portal fitted with automatic doors on the ground floor and an imposing Nissan badge behind the reception desk that guardedly welcomes the customer.

    There is also ambience and spacious climate-controlled reception area with comfortable customer lounge and amenities that makes this showroom one of its kinds.

    Singh said the essence of the features is to enhance customers’ experience and uphold Nissan corporate identity while making ownership of any Nissan vehicle an enjoyable experience.

  • Kia posts February global sales

    Kia Motors Corporation announced its February 2015 global sales figures (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) for passenger cars, recreational vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles, recording a total of 208,700 units sold. This figure represents 0.0 per cent year-on-year growth compared to the same month of 2014.

    In February, Kia posted year-on-year sales increases in North America (5.8 per cent growth with 48, 230 units sold), China (3.3 per cent growth with 47,211 units sold) and the domestic Korean market (1.2 per cent growth with 35,405 units sold). Cumulatively through the first two months of 2015, Kia’s global sales totalled 420,891 units for a year-on-year decrease of 1.0 per cent. North America (90,233 units sold) and Korea (72,072 units sold) have seen a 4.3 per cent and 4.5 per cent rise in sales, respectively.

    Kia’s bestselling model in overseas markets during February 2015 was the B-segment Rio (known as ‘K2’ in China) with 32,719 units sold. The C-segment Cerato (known as ‘Forte’ or ‘K3’ in some markets) was the second best seller with 28,711 units sold, while the Sportage compact CUV, Optima D-segment sedan and mid-size Sorento CUV followed with 27,128, 17,721 and 14,280 units sold, respectively.

  • Lagos Motor Fair gets April date

    Lagos Motor Fair gets April date

    This year’s edition of the annual Lagos Motor Fair and Auto Parts Expo will hold between April 30 and May 6, the organisers said. At a media briefing, BKG Exhibitions Limited, organisers of the event described this year’s edition as a milestone.

    Its chairman, Ifeanyi Agwu, said efforts are in top gear to roll out drums for the 10th edition.

    Agwu promised to use the  edition as a turning point in the history of the fair.

    Nigeria, he said, has what it takes to compete with developed nations in terms of staging auto show.

    “Though there are some little challenges, we will not run away because our goal is to make Nigeria be among the best globally,” he said.

    He canvassed support from stakeholders in the automobile sector to have a robust fair.

    According to him, the automobile sector should be the second largest sector economically in Nigeria after the oil and gas sector. Apart from being a major key  to the nation’s development, it should generate more jobs if properly harnessed.

    He said no fewer than 300 participants from 20 countries are expected to attend the fair in  the nearest future.

    He, however, stated that firms dealing in auto parts are coming from six countries namely Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Austria, China and India. The fair, Agwu said, will feature Executive Disk Jockeys (DJs) that would appear live on Classic FM to talk on the fair, Queen of the fair, Raffle draw, Award night, Entertainment and Automobile Classic.

    Agwu said: “The annual fair brings together major local and international vehicle manufacturers; Brand Representatives as well as policy makers in the road transport and automotive business in Nigeria and West Africa. It is always highly focused and boasts of well targeted participants and visitors.

    “It has the ultimate objective of providing a good forum for existing and potential practitioners as well as other stakeholders in the automobile and allied businesses across the world to explore and exploit the potentials that abound in the industry in Nigeria.

    “The fair has grown over the years and have always had in attendance high profile exhibitors and visitors from Nigeria and abroad. It avails the participants the opportunity of reaching out to more customers; interacting with policy makers; making new contacts and networks; amongst others. Our activities are focused on building long term, result oriented co-operation among the players in any sector of the economy through world class exhibitions around the African continent.”

  • Vehicles’ owners warned

    The Lagos State Police Command, have warned owners of abandoned vehicle parked at Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Ikeja to come forward with their original documents and remove their vehicles or lose  them to members of public through auction sales after two weeks of this publication.

    There are: Nissan Morano Jeep reg no: KRK 449 CL, V/Wagen Golf 4 reg no: KRK 81 AA, Toyota Camry reg no: BDG370 CQ, Toyota Camry reg no:  BWR 435 AL, M/Benz 350 space Wagon reg no: KTU 901 AC, M/Benz 320 Jeep reg no: KJA 571 CV, V/W Passat reg no: AAA 39 AP, M/Benz Saloon car reg no: EPE 831 CG and AY 797 KUT, Honda Civic Saloon car reg no: DG 304 MUS, Ford Bus reg no: JJJ 787 XM, Nissan Pathfinder Jeep reg no: AGB 839 RK, Mitsubishi Outlander reg no: KTU 615 AV, Nissan Sunny reg no: EG 593 KRD, Toyota Camry reg no: BRJ 673 CN, DAF Truck reg no: APP 534 XL, Toyota Avalon reg no: GWA 302 JS, Honda Accord Saloon car reg no: EKY 938AW, Honda Accord Saloon car FKJ 217 AR and Mazda Tribute, Toyota RAV4 Jeep, M/Benz Truck, Landover Jeep, M/Benz Saloon car, Lexus Jeep, Honda Civic Saloon car, Audi 80 Saloon car, Honda Pilot, Toyota Avenses,  Toyota Avalon Saloon car, Honda Accord Saloon car, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Sienna, Honda Odese, Nissan Micra, Nissian Alimera, Toyota Big Bumper, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Forunner , Toyota Matrix, BMW, MAZ IDH, all unregistered.