The Nation Newspaper

Category: Motoring

  • Netherlands-based truck firm to open shop in Lagos

    Netherlands-based truck firm, Kleyn Trucks, has disclosed plans to open a shop in Lagos next year to facilitate its transactions with its Nigerian clientele.

    The company will also liaise with heavy duty truck servicing companies in Nigeria to service the trucks after sales.

    Speaking during an interactive section with logistic companies and truck dealers at the Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, the company’s Nigerian Representative, Mr Gerald Onuoha, said he was in the country to create more awareness about the firm with Nigerian investors.

    He noted that though the company has a good number of customers in Nigeria, his visit is aimed at marketing more.

    He said the Lagos office will handle all transactions in the purchase of trucks, shipment and delivery to customers as well as all documentation.

    It will also offer the company an opportunity to have direct contact with their customers.

    He said Kleyn Trucks is one of the largest independent traders of used commercial vehicles in the world.

    “You can choose from a continually changing stock of 1,200 used trucks, tractor units, semi-trailers, trailers, tippers and mixers. Our range includes all European brands of used trucks, model years and price categories,” Onuoha noted.

    According to him, the experienced buyers at Kleyn Trucks have worked in this field for many years, and so they know exactly what customers’ need.

    “Our way of doing business has stood the test of time for more than 90 years and counting. Its effectiveness is further demonstrated by our large base of repeat customers.

    “We offer you a ‘one-stop-shop’ formula. Our website presents our current stock of used trucks, trailers, tippers and mixers. You simply order via the webshop, by telephone, via Skype or by e-mail. This website is available in 13 different languages, so you can do business with us in your own language”, he explained

  • Truck leaders sign for TRACCON-Africa

    Titans of the truck industry have confirmed to showcase products in the annual two-day Truck, Tyre, Logistics and Fleet Conference and Exhibition (TRACCON-AFRICA) slated for November 29 and 30th.

    In a statement signed by the publisher of On Wheels magazine, Jabez Aina-Scott, the organisers of the event said the logistics industry major players, including Mobil Oil Plc, Mercedes Benz, TaTa, Bukke-Have’s Renault, Iron Products Industries (IPI), and Richbon’s Sino trucks and some others have signed-on to participate in the event.

    Others who have also shown interest to participate fully, according to the statement, are Lanre Shittu Mack trucks, ATC Nig Ltd-Volvo trucks, GM’s Isuzu, Prolong Lubricants and Oando Oil.

    The statement said:“This year’s edition, is supported by Mobil Oil through its high grade Delfac engine oil. With the exhibition targeting the haulage, logistics, trucks, fleet operations, lubricants and the tyre sectors as major participants, the vent is designed to also feature a conference and workshop for the practitioners with lectures and paper presentations from seasoned and experienced industry experts.”

  • Hidden truths about commercial motorcyclists

    The ban on commercial motorcyclists (okada riders) in some parts of Lagos, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Edo and Plateau states have elicited some reactions from members of the public, accusing the government as wicked and irresponsible.

    Many are of the opinion that commercial operation of motorcycles is a fall-out from the government’s failure to create jobs for the teaming unemployed youths.

    My research, however, reveals that it is not all okada riders that go into the job because of the rate of unemployment. Some of them are plumbers, motor mechanics, farmers, welders, and fashion designers among others.

    There is an unfortunate trend in this generation of youths in Nigeria. They want to run before crawling. Wise men built up wealth overtime but they want to acquire wealth overnight. A 20–year old boy is already eyeing a Murano car.

    I know of one okada rider who was working in a business centre earning N20,000 per month. When I requested to know why, he told me that as an okada rider, he earns N20,000 within one week as against his former N20,000 monthly salary. This urge for quick income is the hidden truth about the rush into okada riding, though some people are into it because of other reasons.

    This singular reason of moving on the fast lane by the youths of today is responsible for drug abuse and the recklessness of most of these okada riders (the rush for trips).

    Bricklayers, carpenters, fashion designers and several other professionals are complaining of not having enough apprentices because they have rushed into okada riding.

    There are some small scale business owners that are in need of staff that can be earning N10,000 to N20,000 per month as the starting point but most of the youths of today don’t want to start small and grow. They want to use blackberry within one month of employment.

    Okada riders should be law-abiding for the safety of lives.

    How many okada have or use side mirrors?

    How many okada riders have reflective jackets?

    How many okada riders have good crash helmets for self and passengers?

    How many okada riders had thorough training on how to ride, hazard perception and defensive riding?

    Their association should commit more energy to capacity building programmes for their members (the okada riders).

     

  • Over 100,000 injured on roads daily

    Over 100,000 injured on roads daily

    OVER 100,000 peope are injured on roads across the world daily, experts have said.

    Also, no fewer than 4,000 people are killed through road accidents daily.

    These were part of the statements made by Steering Driving School and Nigerians Unite for Road Safety in Lagos.

    Addressing journalists on the World Day Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims which was introduced in the United Kingdom in 1993 to commemorate with the victims and sensitise road users on avoidable road crashes in the country, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Steering Driving School, Mr Samuel Akinfe, said the statistics were from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    Akinfe urged governments at all levels to recognise the day.

    He maintained that there is a need for government to help people understand the reason for them to come together to celebrate the date.

    According to him, the school has concluded arrangements to mark it this year.

    The event would focus on devastating nature of road accidents.

    Also speaking, the former Military Governor of Ondo State, Rear Admiral Abiodun Olukoya, said it is unfortunate that many road users are not conscious of the signs on major roads.

    Olukoya regretted the issuance of drivers’ licence without following due process by the authority.

    He urged motorists to always concentrate while driving.

    The Lagos State Co-ordinator of the Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO), Mr Gbolahan Toriola enjoined road users to take precautions on the road and ensure they drive with care so as to avoid crashes on our roads.

    He called on the government use give the day to remember road traffic victims.

     

  • Truck leaders sign for TRACCON-Africa

    Titans of the truck industry have confirmed to showcase products in the annual two-day Truck, Tyre, Logistics and Fleet Conference and Exhibition (TRACCON-AFRICA) slated for November 29 and 30th.

    In a statement signed by the publisher of On Wheels magazine, Jabez Aina-Scott, the organisers of the event said the logistics industry major players, including Mobil Oil Plc, Mercedes Benz, TaTa, Bukke-Have’s Renault, Iron Products Industries (IPI), and Richbon’s Sino trucks and some others have signed-on to participate in the event.

    Others who have also shown interest to participate fully, according to the statement, are Lanre Shittu Mack trucks, ATC Nig Ltd-Volvo trucks, GM’s Isuzu, Prolong Lubricants and Oando Oil.

    The statement said:“This year’s edition, is supported by Mobil Oil through its high grade Delfac engine oil. With the exhibition targeting the haulage, logistics, trucks, fleet operations, lubricants and the tyre sectors as major participants, the vent is designed to also feature a conference and workshop for the practitioners with lectures and paper presentations from seasoned and experienced industry experts.”

     

  • Coscharis begins Range Rover promo

    Coscharis Motors is offering to its customers a seven-seater bus or an equivalent in monetary discounts for any single purchase of the 2012 Range Rover.

    The Christmas promo, which is particularly precipitated on the needs of customers to move items around during the festive period is part of the company’s commitment to continually deliver on its promise to give value for money.

    The promo started on November 5 and will end December 31. It is only valid while stocks last.

    Different categories of gifts, including Cosmos LCD televisions, Cosmos air-conditioners and Lenovo laptops are available for purchases made on any other variants.

    The Range Rover stands alone as the flagship, the ultimate and the supreme luxury four-wheel drive vehicle.

    Sold in 170 countries, the Range Rover is a truly global car and as the official car of the Queen of England, appeals to the well informed and life’s leaders; those who have the desire for bespoke products and the very latest in design and innovation.

    Coscharis Motors has made landmark investments in the automobile industry as symbolised in its state-of-the-art facilities, nationwide and has a passion to push the current boundaries of the automobile industry in Nigeria.

    The company is the authorised dealer on Jaguar, Land Rover, BMW, Mini, Morris Garages (MG) vehicles, Ford, Joylong, Wuling, Yuejin and Hongyan.

  • Hidden truths about commercial motorcyclists

    The ban on commercial motorcyclists (okada riders) in some parts of Lagos, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Edo and Plateau states have elicited some reactions from members of the public, accusing the government as wicked and irresponsible.

    Many are of the opinion that commercial operation of motorcycles is a fall-out from the government’s failure to create jobs for the teaming unemployed youths.

    My research, however, reveals that it is not all okada riders that go into the job because of the rate of unemployment. Some of them are plumbers, motor mechanics, farmers, welders, and fashion designers among others.

    There is an unfortunate trend in this generation of youths in Nigeria. They want to run before crawling. Wise men built up wealth overtime but they want to acquire wealth overnight. A 20–year old boy is already eyeing a Murano car.

    I know of one okada rider who was working in a business centre earning N20,000 per month. When I requested to know why, he told me that as an okada rider, he earns N20,000 within one week as against his former N20,000 monthly salary. This urge for quick income is the hidden truth about the rush into okada riding, though some people are into it because of other reasons.

    This singular reason of moving on the fast lane by the youths of today is responsible for drug abuse and the recklessness of most of these okada riders (the rush for trips).

    Bricklayers, carpenters, fashion designers and several other professionals are complaining of not having enough apprentices because they have rushed into okada riding.

    There are some small scale business owners that are in need of staff that can be earning N10,000 to N20,000 per month as the starting point but most of the youths of today don’t want to start small and grow. They want to use blackberry within one month of employment.

    Okada riders should be law-abiding for the safety of lives.

    How many okada have or use side mirrors?

    How many okada riders have reflective jackets?

    How many okada riders have good crash helmets for self and passengers?

    How many okada riders had thorough training on how to ride, hazard perception and defensive riding?

    Their association should commit more energy to capacity building programmes for their members (the okada riders).

     

     

     

     

  • Netherlands-based truck firm to open shop in Lagos

    Netherlands-based truck firm, Kleyn Trucks, has disclosed plans to open a shop in Lagos next year to facilitate its transactions with its Nigerian clientele.

    The company will also liaise with heavy duty truck servicing companies in Nigeria to service the trucks after sales.

    Speaking during an interactive section with logistic companies and truck dealers at the Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, the company’s Nigerian Representative, Mr Gerald Onuoha, said he was in the country to create more awareness about the firm with Nigerian investors.

    He noted that though the company has a good number of customers in Nigeria, his visit is aimed at marketing more.

    He said the Lagos office will handle all transactions in the purchase of trucks, shipment and delivery to customers as well as all documentation.

    It will also offer the company an opportunity to have direct contact with their customers.

    He said Kleyn Trucks is one of the largest independent traders of used commercial vehicles in the world.

    “You can choose from a continually changing stock of 1,200 used trucks, tractor units, semi-trailers, trailers, tippers and mixers. Our range includes all European brands of used trucks, model years and price categories,” Onuoha noted.

    According to him, the experienced buyers at Kleyn Trucks have worked in this field for many years, and so they know exactly what customers’ need.

    “Our way of doing business has stood the test of time for more than 90 years and counting. Its effectiveness is further demonstrated by our large base of repeat customers.

    “We offer you a ‘one-stop-shop’ formula. Our website presents our current stock of used trucks, trailers, tippers and mixers. You simply order via the webshop, by telephone, via Skype or by e-mail. This website is available in 13 different languages, so you can do business with us in your own language”, he explained

  • Mazda to build cars for Toyota

    Mazda Motor Corporation, will build cars for Toyota Motor Corporation at a Mexico plant currently under construction.

    Production of the Toyota-branded vehicle, a sub-compact based on the Mazda2, will begin in mid-2015 at a rate of 50,000 units per year, the companies said in a statement last Friday. The agreement will help Toyota strengthen its lineup in North America and increase production efficiency at Mazda, the companies said.

    Mazda is selling assets, shifting production to outside Japan and improving gas mileage on models including the CX-5 sport utility vehicle (SUV) and Mazda6 sedan to reach its first annual profit in five years. The plant in Mexico, scheduled to start production by the year ending March 2014, will help Mazda counter a strengthening yen which makes Japanese-made cars less profitable.

    Toyota will invest “an appropriate portion” of production equipment costs and development costs related to the Toyota vehicle, and also costs related to the plant’s capacity increase, it said in the statement. The vehicles will be sold through Toyota dealerships, it said.

    Toyota shares fell 0.5 per cent at its close in the Tokyo Stock Exchange, before the companies announced the agreement. Mazda shares were unchanged.

    Mazda’s new plant, with an annual capacity of 140,000 units, will be located in Salamanca City, Guanajuato State. The company will build Mazda2 and Mazda3 vehicles at the factory.

    Mazda exported 75 percent of the cars it made in Japan this year, making it more vulnerable to gains in the yen than other Japanese automakers.

  • Firm urged to complete Abuja roads

    ARAB Contractors has been urged to expedite work on the Bwari township roads to alleviate the suffering of the people.

    Chairman, Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Peter Yohanna, said the poor state of the roads had hampered development in the area.

    “When you are coming to the area council you will assume there is no government; everyday people keep criticising the chairman for the poor state of Bwari township roads.

    “I appeal to Arab Contractors to expedite construction work on Bwari township roads to facilitate socio-economic development in the area,” Yohanna said.

    Yohanna, however, expressed optimism that the roads would soon be completed.