The Nation Newspaper

Category: Motoring

  • Teacher training, students performance and road safety education

    Teacher training, students performance and road safety education

    In recent times, there has been revelations in some States that majority of the Teachers are not qualified, failing Primary four examinations woefully. Steps were taken to verify how qualified the Teachers were because of the increasing failure of the Students in NECO and WAEC examinations.

    In a particular State, 1,599 Teachers sat for the Primary 4 examination and out of this figure; only one Teacher scored 75percent, 250 Teachers scored between 50 to 75 percent while 1,300 Teachers scored below 25percnt. It was later found out that out of the 36,000 Teachers in the same State 15,000 were not qualified.

    In another State, the Primary 4 examination was administered to 19,125 Teachers and it was discovered that out of the 259 Teachers that scored zero, ten of them possessed University degrees.

    In yet another State, it was found out that out of a total of about 17,000 Teachers, only 7,000 are qualified. There are similar reports in virtually all the States in Nigeria.

    What then do you expect of the Students performances in examinations? The Teachers cannot give what they don’t have. How then will the Students be groomed enough to pass their examinations in flying colours. This is one of the reasons why some wise and opportuned Parents have been making arrangements for out-of-School Coaching programmes for their Children to fill the gap created by incompetent Teachers. Meanwhile, there are hundreds of thousands of qualified potential Teachers still searching for jobs because they did not have the godfathers, godmothers, long legs or the cash to get the jobs.

    Today, it is the incompetence of Teachers that is the talk of the Town now. I implore you to go to the Federal and State Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as the Local Governments and you will be shocked with the high level of incompetence you will see.

    Go to Banks and you will see several Staff greatly lacking in Customer Relationship Management skill among other relevant skills. Go to several other Private Sector Organisations and you will see unbelievable number of Staff lagging behind in the basic knowledge and skills required for efficiency and effectiveness in their jobs. Have you noticed the volume of typographic and grammatical errors in the Print and Electronic Media today? Have you taken time to listen to deliberations on the floors of the National and State Houses of Assemblies? You will be flabbergasted by the rate at which the Honourables murder English Grammar and work ethics.

    It is an undeniable fact that the half-baked Students of today will become the half-baked Teachers, Workers, Honourables and V.I.Ps of tomorrow.

    I therefore suggest that the following should be done.

    •The recruitment of Teachers should be based on merit and not on religion, culture or tribe. When I was in the Secondary School, we had some competent Ghanaian Teachers recruited to teach us in the subjects they were more competent to handle than the local Teachers.

    •Everything possible must be done to Guarantee Security and peaceful co-existence in every part of Nigeria so that the competent Staff will be free to work and give their best in any part of Nigeria without fear.

    •Teachers must be exposed to series of relevant on-the-job Training programmes to further boost their capacity.

    •Schools and Teachers should not compromise standard for filthy lucre. What can you say of the 10 Teachers with University Degrees that scored zero in Primary 4 examinations? Many Students are ready to pay their way to get the Certificates but we must all be committed to quality for the benefit of the present and upcoming generations.

    •Teachers should stop taking the easy way in teaching the Students. What can you say of a Teacher, teaching Biology or Chemistry in Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo language? Will the students write the WAEC exam in their local Languages?

    When I was in the Primary and Secondary Schools, vernacular speaking was prohibited. You either speak English or keep your mouth shut in the class. For us to be able to communicate with our fellow students in the school, we were compelled to learn English language and today, we are better for it.

    Some parents and Teachers are of the opinion that English is a foreign language and not compulsory for their children or students. They have forgotten that English is a global language and the fact that the brain of children becomes more functional when they learn new and challenging things.

    Now to Road Safety Education, the incompetence of Teachers of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Institutions does not lead to loss of lives but the incompetence of Drivers can lead to loss of several irreparable lives and valuable properties.

    As an Employer of Drivers, how many times do you send your Drivers for on-the-job training programmes in a year? Today, many Employers see capacity building training programmes for Drivers as a waste of time and money.

    Sometimes ago, we carried out a Need-Assessment for an Organization and recommended that the Drivers should be released for a 5-day comprehensive training programme. The Human Resource Manager of the Organization bluntly told me that he cannot release his Drivers for any training beyond one day. This means he is ready to continue running the Company with half-baked Drivers.

    Many Drivers were not exposed to the right training programmes before they got their Driver Licence. Hence the high rate of accidents in Nigeria today.

    With the new National Driver Licence scheme of the Federal Road Safety Commission, a lot of Drivers (Private, Commercial and vehicle Owners) still prefer the short-cut that will not expose them to the right comprehensive Road Safety Education. Many of them do complain of time but when there is an accident, nobody talks about time again.

    The government Agencies responsible for the processing of Driver License must decide not to be part of the problem but a solution by discouraging Driver License Applicants from seeking the short-cut to obtain their Driver License.

    Driving schools must not compromise on the set Standards in the training of Learners and those seeking the renewal of their Driver license. Proprietors and instructors of the driving schools must also vow not to be part of the Road Safety problems but a solution.

    Drivers and Learner must also avoid looking for short-cuts to obtaining the Driver License.

    Sometimes ago, a Learner told me that he was not interested in the theoretical aspect of the training but the practical only. I told him clearly that a Driver that knows how to move vehicles without having good knowledge of the theoretical aspect is half-baked because it is the theory that you will be applying to your driving to ensure effective and safe control of the vehicle.

    Our Lense should not be focussed on the Teachers and Schools alone. Every sector of the Nigerian System needs to be effectively overhauled and sanitized to ensure the right level of competence and productivity.

  • Lagos MVAA bags customer service award

    Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency, MVAA has been given award as the most Re-engineered for Service Agency for 2012 by Servicom in Abuja.

    The agency was selected among five other service-oriented government agencies in the country considered to have effectively engineered its internal processes and sustainably delivered its service right to the customers.

    The agency was awarded for creating a database vehicle registration, automated vehicle registration and licensing procedures and vehicle license renewal alert via Short Message Service, SMS.

    Permanent Secretary, MVAA, Mr. Akin Hanson, who represented Governor Babatunde Fashola at the occasion, commended the state government for pace-setting achievement and the development initiatives it had continued to record in its effort to raise the quality of life and safety of the people.

    The MVAA boss stated that the automated vehicle registration and licensing, as well as other services would serve as veritable motivator for the agency to strive to raise the bar of exceptional service delivery and become a truly global player in modern vehicle administration.

    National Coordinator, Servicom, Sylbriks Obriki charged Nigerians to speak out anytime they were not satisfied with services rendered to them as that was the only way there would be improvement in service delivery in the country and urged all to ensure they perform the services for which they were employed.

     

     

  • Toyota Dream Car winners emerge

    The third edition of the Toyota annual Dream Car Art Contest for Nigerian children has been held.

    The initiative, organised by Toyota in Nigeria, has aimed at availing the children an opportunity to give expression to their budding creative talents.

    Over one thousand children, who enlisted in the contest held in Abuja and Port Harcourt.

    Participation in the contest spanned primary and secondary school students cutting across three different age categories of 10-15.

    Renowned art teachers and professionals converged in each of the centers to carefully select three winning entries from each category. From the 27 winning entries selected from the three centers, nine winning entries were finally selected using environmental friendliness, futuristic and originality as criteria. These entries will be forwarded to Japan to represent Nigeria at the global contest.

    While Abdulsalam Abdulbasit led in the first category of children of about 10 years.

    In the second Category, Idusogie Osarhuguemwen emerged winner. And so did Ulasika Ifeanyi Stanley.

    At the awards presentation held in Toyota Nigeria head office held in Lekki, Lagos, the Managing Director Mr Chandrasheker Krishnadas Thampy congratulated the winners who emerged from the competition,

    Mr Thampy also thanked the parents and teachers of the winning pupils for encouraging their wards to participate in the laudable project. He added that Toyota will continue to identify with such projects that will give needed boost to the mental growth of the Nigerian child as this will go a long way in securing a great future for the country.

  • The raving adventure continues

    The raving adventure continues

    The 2013 RAV4 captures the spirit of freedom that began with the original RAV4, yet breaks new ground in refinement, practicality and technology. With expressive styling and a roomy, comfortable interior, RAV4 is decidedly refined—but with agile handling and all-weather capability, it’s still ready for adventure whenever you are, Nneka Nwaneri explores.

    his year’s edition of Toyota RAV4 has not stopped its excitement. Since Toyota Motor Corporation unveiled the fourth generation RAV4 at the 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show last November. Since then, the excitement has not stopped.

    Completely redesigned to attract the most adventurous car freaks, in fact the first redesign in seven years, the New 2013 Toyota RAV4 which was released into the market early this year combines the features of a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with that of a compact sedan to emerge as a fast-selling Crossover SUV.

    The RAV4 is an improvement over the previous version, but only by a baby step. It is an awkward dance of two steps forward, one step back. The smoother ride and greater fuel efficiency are leaps ahead, completely redesigned with new character and updated options.

    Configuration

    Coming in three versions, namely the LE, XLE and Limited, the 2.5 litre 4 cylinder engine car features eight airbags as standard and the star safety system.

    Redesigned with a new engine under the hood, the new engine is basically the same 2.5-litre plant found in the current Toyota Camry. And churning out an amazing 176 hp and 233 Nm of torque, the All-New 2013 Toyota RAV4 has jettisoned the ancient 4-speed automatic transmission engine as it now comes with a 6-speed transmission in sequential shift.  First and second gear ratios will be optimised for around-town performance.  To keep engine revs lower at highway speeds and enhance fuel mileage, fifth and sixth gears will be overdrives.

    Capturing  the spirit of freedom that began with the original RAV4, yet breaking  new ground in refinement, practicality and technology, the expressive styling and a roomy, comfortable interior of RAV4 is decidedly refined in the new model —but with agile handling and all-weather capability.

    Notable exterior changes include the deletion of the spare tyre at the back to create more space for passengers and luggage..

     

    The dual zone climate control allows front passenger regulate their own environments with individual temperature control. And the adjustable power lift gate that comes standard in RAV4 Limited features jam protection, plus a handy height-adjustment feature.

    The blind spot monitor (BSM) and the rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA) system  warn the driver with a flashing indicator light on the appropriate outside mirror. The RCTA also provides audible and visual indicators to warn the driver of approaching vehicles.

    Expected to compete with recently redesigned brands such as Honda’s CR-V, Ford’s Escape and Mazda’s CX-5, its manufacturer, TMC, said “The new RAV4 will provide its active owners a more dynamic drive, with new technologies like a Sport Mode with Dynamic Torqu Control AWD, enhancements in suspension performance, and optimised electric power steering.”

    According to the manufacturer, “The spring rates have been enhanced, and the shock absorbers have been optimally tuned to help the vehicles handling characteristics.

    “RAV4 has a MacPherson strut front suspension, double-wishbone rear suspension and four-wheel disc brakes.  The LE will ride on 17-inch steel wheels; XLE will feature 17-inch alloys, and limited will be equipped with 18-inch alloys.

    “In both front- and all-wheel drive RAV4’s Sport Mode sharpens shift timing, throttle response and steering response.  When down shifting the RAV4 six-speed automatic transmission in “S” Mode, engine revs rise with a clearly audible “blip,” adding to the driving experience.”

  • Alcohol and driving

    A recent report by the Federal Road Safety Commission revealed that Alcohol is responsible for most accidents in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja).

    Without any iota of doubt, Alcohol isone of the potent psychoactive drugs and its social acceptance has made it penetrate all the Classes of Nigerians. The question however is, why is drunk-driving still common despite the various campaigns against alcoholism? Why is it that less people drink poison? Why is it that it is only those that are desperate to die that drink poison?

    The answer is not far-fetched. People are convinced about the reality of the consequences of drinking poison while there is less conviction as to the immediate and long-term consequences of drinking alcohol. There are lots of advertisements allowed in the print and electronic media telling the whole world the reasons why people need to drink alcohol. The pressure on people to drink alcohol is more than the information on why people should abstain from it. When an alcohol producing Company is sponsoring a Government Agency to run a campaign on alcohol and driving, will the Agency not be biased in the choice of language against alcoholism?

    Government and some relevant Agencies are also playing hide and seek game so as not to offend the Alcohol Manufacturers or hider the inflow of income from them through Taxes.

    Sometimes, popular and influential Celebrities are used to advertise different brands of alcohol thereby encouraging people and sadly, the youth to drink alcohol as a socially acceptable drug. There is even a particular brand of alcohol that is being promoted as ablood booster while another one is being promoted as an energizer for men. As long as these activities continue, the drinking of alcohol will continue, not minding the effects on driving and even in the workplace.

    The same reason is responsible for the regular accidents involvingarticulated vehicles. The Drivers are not exposed to deep training programmes on the effects of the Principles of Kinetic Energy, Inertia, Centrifugal Force, Centripetal Force, Circular Motion, Road Banking, and Hydroplaning among other Forces thus making them fall prey wherever they encounter any of the above forces in their driving.

    All categories of Drivers (Private and Commercial) and vehicle Owners must be exposed to trainingprogrammes that will make them understand and be convinced that driving goes beyond the movement of a vehicle from onepoint to another. A lot of factors interplay in the process of driving which they must know and apply effectively.

    One of the solutions to alcohol and driving is to be factual about the real consequences of drinking alcohol with casestudies to prove it. For example, when information about HIV/AIDS came into the country, a lot of people did not believe that it exists but when the evidences or case studies started manifesting, majority of Men and Women now, young and old, either abstain, remain faithful to their Spouses or use Condom to avoid being infected.

    For the benefit of those who have not known, and as a reminder to those who already know, I will briefly mention the effects of alcohol- drinking and the hangovereffects on driving.

    • Alcohol slows down the body mechanism. This is the reason why you hardly see a drunk person that walks fast,straight or talks clearly and fast.

    Because driving is a complex activity that involves the simultaneous use of many organs of the body (Brain, Legs, Hands, Ear, Nose, Eyes etc) Alcohol will slow down the rate of co-ordination of the organs thereby exposing the drunk drivers to hazards on the road.

    There is no one that can drive normally as usual after drinking alcohol no matter how little andno matter how much you fake your look or pretend to be unaffected. Alcohol surely reduces a Driver’s ability to drive safely.

    • Alcohol is a depressant and it affects most areas of the human brain thereby having wide- ranging effects on the body system. The brain is the control panel of the human body and it is not only the tetra-hydro-canabinol in Indiam Hemp that distorts the normal functioning of the brain. Alcohol also distorts the normal functioning of the brain and consequently the other organs of the body on which safe driving largely depends upon.

    • Alcohol slows down the reaction time. For example, if there is an emergency, a drunk driver will be slow in reacting or taking safe decisions.

    • Alcohol can fuel drowsiness in adriver thereby exposing him to the dangers of micro sleep.

    • Alcohol impairs the judgment skill of the driver, making it difficult for him to correctly judge self-speed, the speed of oncoming vehicles (when trying to overtake), the following distance, and hazard perception.

    • Alcohol makes the Driver fearless and have false confidence that his driving is the best. A drunk driver is not afraid to take risks that can lead him to untimely grave. A drunk man can trek to anywhere by 2am without the fear of armed Robbers even at gunpoint. Alcohol makes people put on the garment of fools.

    • Alcohol distorts the co-ordination skills of a Driver. It makes it difficult for a driver to effectively co-ordinate the use of gear, horn, turn indicators, brake, etc.

    • Alcohol reduces the attention of a Driver. It makes him pay less attention to other road users, traffic signs, road markings and the road.

    • Alcohol causes blurred vision thereby making the Driver to see double or not see the road and road furnituresclearly while driving.

    • Alcohol aggravates fatigue and allied problems.

    • Alcohol has other devastating effects on the health of human beings and it is expedient for anyone that drives to be exposed to the above effects and more so that he or she will be able to choose wisely between life and death.

    • Alcohol also has hangover effects which can adversely hinder safe driving. Hence the inappropriateness of the campaign that says”don’tdrink when you drive and don’t drive when you drink”. After taking alcohol, it takes a relatively long time to sober-up and become normal again contrary to people’s believe.

    Result-oriented and comprehensiveprevention education coupled with uncompromised enforcement should be employed to attack this monster of drunk-driving in Nigeria.

  • Coscharis Motors rewards staff

    Coscharis Motors has rewarded its three staff that made the company proud at the Ford Service Excellence World Cup held recently in South Africa.

    Two of the staff came first in different categories while the third staff came second in another category.

    The Ford Service Excellence World Cup Competition, a keenly contested competition with participants from the various Ford dealerships, worldwide, was aimed to get the best Service Advisors, Service Technician and Parts Counterperson.

    Mrs Amaka Chijioke-Okeke came first in the Service Advisor category; Mr Felix Adepinye emerged first in the Service Technician category while Miss Ifeyinwa Onyelemelukwe came second in the Parts Counterperson category.

    Speaking at the Company’s Head Office, Lekki, to honour the staff, the Group Managing Director, Coscharis Group, Mr Josiah Samuel hailed the staff for putting up an excellent performance and making the company proud at the competition.

    He described the success as a pointer to the fact that the organisation is blessed with some of the best trained and qualified personnel in the automobile industry, not only in the Sub Sahara Africa region but in Africa as a whole.

    Samuel said the company’s belief in training also accounted immensely in the victory and challenged them to continue to develop themselves.

    He urged them to strive to surpass their records, pointing out that the company cannot rest on its oars in meeting targets in the highly competitive automobile industry.

    He enjoined them to bring their skills to bear in the discharge of their daily duties to serve the company’s customers with the highest level of professionalism, meeting and even exceed their expectations.

    The Group Managing Director urged other members of staff to emulate them, bearing in mind that the company rewards hard work.

    He expressed belief in the vision of the company as an organisation that would be timeless in its relevance while re-iterating that the reward is to show appreciation to the staff and an indication that the Management of the company values excellence.

    Mrs Chijioke-Okeke and Mr Adepinye received 1000 US dollars and a plaque each while Miss Onyemelukwe was given 500 US dollars being the awards provided by the Ford SSA, the organizers of the Service Excellence World Cup.

     

  • Toyota to unveil new Generation Rav4

    Toyota (Nigeria) Limited (TNL) has promised to showcase the new Generation Rav4 soon.

    TNL Chairman Chief Michael Ade.Ojo said this during the Ninth Toyota Awards at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, last Thursday.

    Chief Ade.Ojo added that some new models in their line-up will also be launched this year.

    He said the introduction of key models into the market last year was successful.

    “While we increased our model portfolio by introducing the Fortuner in the fabric seats and leather seats versions, we also brought in the Hilux automatic transmissions to complement the Hilux model range. Similarly, the Avanza also underwent a full model change. All these are aimed at meeting the expectations and yearnings of our valued customers. It is a thing of joy to inform you that both models have since claimed top spots in their respective sub segments,” he said.

    The TNL boss said the company has expanded the scope of their operations to satisfy the customers through the completion of the first world class Body and Paint Training Centre in Lagos.

    According to him, the ultra-modern facility is a place where dealers’ technical staff will be receiving training on Body and Paints.

    Chief Ade.Ojo admitted that the company faced lots of challenges last year.

    He said: “The year began on a nervy note with the fuel subsidy crisis, followed by flood disasters in many parts of the country. Security and sundry fiscal challenges made the economic landscape quite unfriendly for smooth business operations. …By dint of hardwork and dedication, we managed to finish the race reasonably well.”

    He thanked their customers, dealers and motoring journalists for being active parts of the company’s success story over the years especially the year under review.

  • Here comes the new Lamborghini Gallardo

    The V10-powered 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo might be the little brother to the V12-powered Aventador supercar. But it would be wrong to see the Gallardo as a major step down from all-out road-going supremacy because in some ways it is actually better than the Aventador, and not just in terms of performance. Writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO with agency addition

    The 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo’s performance is just as otherworldly as one would expect from any exotic sports car. The V10 power plant shrieks off the line as the revs climb toward redline. Compared to the 458 Italia from archrival Ferrari, the Gallardo is slightly less nimble. It is, however, perfectly at home blasting down the highway and carving through high-speed sweepers. The LP570-4 models represent a further refinement of the Gallardo’s capabilities, as these lightweight special editions are perfect for those who want to squeeze every drop of excitement possible from this lithe Lamborghini.

    New front- and rear-end styling debuts for the 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo, but only for the 560-4 coupe and Spyder roadster. An LP570-4 Edizione Tecnica also replaces the outgoing Trofeo Stradale edition.

    In all likelihood, the Gallardo will turn just as many heads as any supercar. It is also a valid assumption that the so-called baby Lambo will deliver similar thrills behind the wheel, unless one has regular access to a racetrack. Where it figuratively pulls away is in how it behaves under normal conditions. With a smaller footprint, better visibility and conventionally hinged doors, the Gallardo is comparably easy to live with on a daily basis.

    Much of this can be attributed to parent company Audi, which managed to exorcise many of the demons of Lamborghinis past without diluting the potent solution that makes Lamborghinis so wildly desirable. This year sees only a few changes, as rumours point to a replacement model for 2014. The Gallardo line-up receives a styling update to the front and rear of the LP560-4 models, and last year’s Trofeo Stradale special edition has been replaced by the LP570-4 Superleggera Edizione Tecnica.

    For auto freaks with a quarter-million dollars to spend on a car, there is no reason to overlook the 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo. Even as it approaches the end of its production, it is just as desirable as the Aston Martin Virage (or for that matter, almost any Aston), Ferrari 458 Italia and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Mild exotics like the Audi R8 and higher-end Porsche 911 models provide comparable thrills, but are notably less distinctive.

    Body Styles

    The 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo is a midengine exotic sports car that is offered as the LP550-2 coupe and Spyder roadster, LP560-4 coupe and Spyder roadster and LP570-4 Superleggera Edizione Tecnica coupe and LP570-4 Spyder Performante Edizione Tecnica roadster. The “-2” indicates rear-wheel drive while “-4” indicates all-wheel drive.

    Standard equipment on the LP550-2 and LP560-4 models includes 19-inch wheels, an automatically extending rear spoiler, bi-xenon headlights, power-folding outside mirrors, a nose-raising suspension for curb clearance, dual-zone automatic climate control, power seats, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, leather upholstery, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a multimedia driver interface similar to Audi’s Multi Media Interface (MMI) system and a four-speaker stereo with a CD player. The Spyder has a full power-operated soft top, while coupes receive a transparent engine cover and LED accent lights.

    Options include upgraded alloy wheels, faux suede upholstery, fitted luggage, heated seats, a navigation system, a rear-view camera and upgraded audio with iPod integration. Available packages include the Travel package (which adds a cupholder, a luggage net behind the seats and a small storage compartment near the steering wheel) as well as a pair of interior Carbon packages. The latter bathe the cabin in carbon-fiber trim – you get less with one package and more with the other. Lamborghini also offers its “Ad Personam” customisation program, which gives the buyer extensive input into exterior and interior colour combinations.

    Powertrains and Performance

    Powering all 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo models is a midmounted 5.2-liter V10. A six-speed manual transmission is fitted to the Gallardo LP550-2. All other Gallardos receive a six-speed, single-clutch automated manual transmission (known as “e-gear”); it is optional on the “550” models.

    The Gallardo LP550-2 models produce 550 horsepower and 397 pound-feet of torque and send all power to the rear wheels. More power is available with the LP560-4, which makes 560 hp and 397 lb-ft of torque that powers all four wheels. Lamborghini estimates that these models will reach 60 mph in the mid-3-second range.

    Finally, the LP570-4 Superleggera Edizione Tecnica coupe and Spyder Performante Edizione Tecnica squeeze even more power out of the 5.2-liter V10, with 570 hp and 397 lb-ft of torque on tap. All that thrust should be enough to get the car up to 60 mph in the low 3-second range.

    EPA-estimated fuel economy checks in at 12 mpg city/20 mpg highway and 15 mpg combined with the traditional manual and 13/20/16 with e-gear. Spyder models with the manual transmission drop by about 1 mpg in combined driving.

    Safety

    Standard safety features on all 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo models include antilock brakes, stability control and side airbags with head protection. A rear-view camera is optional.

    Interior Design and Special Features

    The Gallardo provides a fairly liveable cabin. Leather and soft-touch materials adorn much of the interior, as one might expect, and the switchgear, gauges and multimedia driver interface are essentially pulled from the Audi parts bin. Some might bemoan this dilution of Lamborghini’s traditional Italian character, but most will be thankful that everything actually works. Further advancements can be found in the fundamentally sound driving position and the comfortable and supportive seats.

    The aforementioned multimedia interface leaves something to be desired, however, as the control knob and accompanying buttons are placed next to the screen rather than near the shifter, requiring altogether too much driver attention given the Gallardo’s fearsome capabilities. Furthermore, storage space is negligible, and only the most limber drivers will find ingress and egress an easy task. The latter is par for the course in this segment, perhaps, but some competing models provide supercar performance without requiring contortionist antics to get behind the wheel.

  • FRSC boss for firm’s anniversary

    FRSC boss for firm’s anniversary

    The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Osita Chidoka, will on Friday deliver a keynote address at ABC Transport’s 20thAnniversary at the Sheraton Hotels, Lagos.

    The anniversary kicked off with the unveiling of seven coaches equipped with enhanced onboard security features and donation of three demonstration buses to the automobile/mechanical engineering departments of the Lagos State University, Imo State University (LASU), and Federal Polytechnic, Nekede.

    The firm commenced operations in 1993 as Associated Bus Company Limited with SIX mini buses, remains the only road transport company listed on Nigerian Stock Exchange after its successful initial public offer in 2006. The company has also diversified its scope to include cargo, haulage, hospitality and tourism.

  • KIA Motors to reward customers

    KIA Motors to reward customers

    In line with its global philosophy of ‘’Family Like Care’’, KIA has come up with yet another industry-first offer of Service Plan or Maintenance Programme popularly known as KIA CARE. This is sequel to the recent offer of the successfull running Loyalty Program where patrons enjoy offers and discounts on maintenance services at their various workshops nationwide.

    The programme is in two folds and can be enjoyed by patrons either at the time of buying new cars or can join after their purchase to suit their needs. The KIA CARE by virtue of being a national service package is designed to offer recommended periodic maintenance schedule across its network in the country and is valid for a period of three years or 60,000 kilomotres. Available across all the models, it ensures vehicles are maintained as per schedule thereby increasing their performance levels and lower operational costs. Maintenance parts like filters, oils, spark plugs, brakes, clutch, among others are inspected and replaced as required under schedule.

    General Manager of After Sales Mr Tatpati described KIA CARE as a fantastic programme which allows buyers to guarantee the lowest possible service costs throughout their ownership.

    “This is a new direction in innovation for Kia and a real cost saver for customers. We want the Kia brand to stand for more than just delivering great products with great quality and best warranty; we want Kia to be known as a brand that stands for delivering value for money ,” he said.

    KIA offers standard warranty of three years on passenger range products, however a five years warranty is offered on premium products like CADANZA, MOHAVE and QUORIS. But the recently launched QUORIS comes with five years maintenance free programme and warranty, which is unmatched in its class of vehicles and again a first time in the industry.

    “Our customers are at the core of our brand and we constantly look for ways to reward them. This annual maintenance program is geared towards encouraging our customers to bring in their KIA Models for service and maintenance checks as required. We also aim to ensure that our service outlets are accessible and available with the assurance of genuine parts, professional consultation and advice from auto experts who have been trained to KIA’s highest standards of providing workmanship of the highest quality,” Kia Nigeria Marketing Manager Mr Kayode Adejumo said.