General Motors Co has issued a new recall for nearly 69,000 Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles (EVs) worldwide for fire risks after reports of two fires and will replace defective battery that risks catching fire when the car is parked.

The company does not have a fix for the problem that has been tied to at least nine fires nationwide since early 2020. The new fix will likely involve replacing battery modules or perhaps the entire battery pack, said GM spokesperson Dan Flores.

GM said it was providing steps that Bolt owners should take before their cars can be repaired. These include not parking it in a garage or next to another structure such as a home or other building due to the risk of a fire spreading. All the fires occurred when the cars were parked, and there were two reports of injuries.

While the number of cars is relatively small for a recall, GM’s action is significant given how pivotal the Bolt is to its efforts to shift from gasoline-powered cars and trucks to an all-electric future.

The Bolt is the only EV that GM currently sells in North America, though it has other EVs it sells elsewhere, including China. United States sales of the Bolt have been climbing rapidly, rising 142 per cent to 20,000 in the first six months of this year compared with the first half of 2020. The model year 2020 and 2021 Bolts have a newer type of battery than the ones that caught fire.

This latest fire risk is comes just as GM is trying to expand its EV business.

Over the next four years, GM plans to invest $35 billion to unveil 30 different electric vehicles, 20 of them slated for the US market alone. The company has said it expects to be selling one million EVs annually by 2025 and has set a goal of selling only emission-free vehicles by 2035.

The new versions of the Bolt, the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV debuted earlier this year. The GMC Hummer EV pickup is due to go on sale later this year, and the Cadillac Lyriq, the luxury brand’s first EV, is scheduled to hit dealerships late next year.

GM first announced a recall of the affected Bolts in November 2020 but, then as now, it said it did not know how to fix the problem. In May it announced a software repair but then there were two fires involving vehicles that got that software fix, prompting the latest recall.

Battery packs are the most expensive component of an electric vehicle, and replacing them could prove very costly. Hyundai recalled 82,000 electric cars globally earlier this year to replace their batteries after 15 reports of fires involving the vehicles, at a cost of about $11,000 per vehicle.

Autochek, the automotive technology company, has announced a partnership with Appzone Group, a FinTech organisation, to provide Nigerians with access to car financing.

The partnership will see the Autochek platform integrating with Appzone’s proprietary digital core banking service, BankOne, in facilitating access to credit from over 400 Microfinance institutions for Nigerians.

Africa’s automobile is worth $45 billion a year, with only a five per cent financing penetration rate. Autochek’s partnership with Appzone is geared towards upending that figure and giving the power to the customer.

Autochek Chief Technology Officer Chetan Seth said the credit sourcing process starts with the listing of pre-qualified vehicles from the dealers on Autochek’s platform.

Potential customers, he said, have the opportunity to select their choice from a pool of cars that have gone through a 150 point inspection process carried out by Autochek’s accredited technical experts.

Seth during at the official signing event, said the customers are then able to submit their loan applications digitally through the autochek website to over 400 financial partners available on Appzone’s BankOne network.

“Within 24 hours, customers receive multiple offers and have the option to select their most preferred financial partner. Appzone transitions all accepted loan applications into the BankOne’s proprietary credit administration module which automatically enables the account opening, underwriting and eventual disbursement. The customer is now able to get a transparent step by step update throughout the whole process,” he said.

Seth added: “Like much of Sub-saharan Africa, obtaining access to financing in Nigeria is a tedious process. At Autochek, we are committed to providing consumers  with seamless access to credit in order for them to own their vehicles. With technology, we are able to provide vehicle financing at scale, and this will be accelerated even further by integrating with Appzone’s network.‘’

The Chief Executive Officer of Appzone Core, a subsidiary company of Appzone Group, Mr. Mudiaga Umukoro, said: “BankOne is our flagship product and Africa’s foremost Banking-as-a Platform (BaaP) solution. Over the last 10 years, we have focused on digitising the Microfinance sector. We have enabled over 400 microfinance institutions, digital banking and now through our partnership with Autochek.’’

 

these institutions available can now provide quick digital loans to prospective car owners anywhere in Nigeria. What this ensures is a win-win approach as MFBs can target more customers as well as increase revenue through loan offerings, whilst customers across the country, either in urban or remote areas, are more easily empowered with business and/or personal vehicles with little hassle. ”

 

 

 

By Seyi Bakare

“Have you seen the just- completed Ijebu-Ode Lekki Expressway? I just can’t believe that we have such a marvel right here in Ogun State! Talk about a prime location for filmmaking! Hats off to Governor Dapo Abiodun, who promised and actually kept his word,” Adeyemi Ogunsola, a businessman and aspiring film director, enthused last Tuesday.

His excitement is not without cause: it isn’t often that promises made during electioneering are taken seriously in this clime. Both the promiser and the promisee, if one may use those terms, assume that rhetoric is part of the game of politicking, and politicians, going by experience over the decades, forget their lofty statements almost as soon as they descend from the campaign podium. The end result is quite predictable: the people, mere statistics in government departments, are perennially shortchanged and society stagnates. This is why departures from the norm, if and when spotted, need to be encouraged in the hope that officialdom will take notice and those taking the people for a ride can see what it really means to have integrity.

When, sometime last year, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, kicked off the construction of the 14-kilometre Ijebu-Ode-Itamapako-Epe road, saying that it was meant to ease the agonies of motorists, increase the urbanisation map of the state and open the state up for investment, only those familiar with his personality, track record and governance style took him seriously.

For the majority, whose pessimism must be excused because it is rooted in the historiography of failed political promises, the governor was merely being the typical politician. Except that he was not.

Reinforcing Prince Abiodun’s solemn promise, the Project Manager, Craneburg Construction, Amine Tawk, had disclosed during an interaction with reporters in February that barring any unforeseen circumstances, the road would soon be completed, with no fewer than 30 communities reaping economic benefits. That promise aligned with Prince Abiodun’s pledge during an inspection of roads across the state, namely that the 14.7km road would be inaugurated in the second half of this year.

As the state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya, noted, infrastructure development is a major agenda of the state government. The road, a dual carriageway with 10 lanes, four lanes on each side with one pull-out section, and a 14-lane toll plaza for easy payment of tolls, has been completed, to the amazement of naysayers and the joy of an appreciative populace.

It was awarded to Craneburg Construction in a public-private partnership arrangement under the Build, Use and Transfer framework. Its features are a marvel. Aesthetically, its furniture and beautiful landscape are a great sight to behold.

As many Nigerians are, no doubt, aware, the  Ijebu Ode-Lekki Expressway, which lies at the border areas and connects Ogun to Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital, used to be quite busy during the defunct Western Region administration led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo of blessed memory. But with wear and tear and the governmental neglect that has, sadly, become a feature of life in this clime, it soon became a nightmare to road users, and for decades spoke to the open sore of an abundantly blessed but ingloriously managed clime.

Happily, however, with the pragmatic intervention by the Ogun State government, the Ijebu-Ode-Lekki road is a vital infrastructure born anew, reinvented and emplaced for public comfort.

 

Don’t take my word for it: take a trip on the beautiful road and exult in the pleasures of a new dawn.

The road has serves effectively as a supporting road to the ever busy Lagos/Ibadan expressway. Travellers heading to Ikorodu, Epe, Lekki and adjoining areas from Ogun State no longer have any need to be caught up in the regular gridlock witnessed on the country’s busiest road. Are you passing through Ijebu-Ode and heading to Epe, Ajah and Victoria Island in Lagos State? The hassles of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway need not delay you any longer.There’s a perfect alternative to the always locked-down Lagos-Ibadan expressway.  This certainly is music to the ears of motorists coming to Ogun State from Lagos, and for commercial drivers loading up their vehicles at Lekki and Ajah and heading to the East or the North.

 

Promised made, promise kept. Apart from the comfort that the new road offers to motorists, the many gains of the construction are manifesting speedily, even as motorists await its inauguration. To be sure, employment opportunities are already being created with the opening up of the host communities by the state government, and by investors, including industrialists who are now siting their businesses in those areas. Security wise, the timely completion of the road is worthy of applause: robbers now have no hiding place. And what is more, residents are already lauding the Abiodun administration’s desire to stimulate economic activities, create a safe environment where investment thrives, and increase the Ogun people’s quality of life despite the limitations imposed by COVID-19 on the economy. Economic and social gains come with the free access to different communities along the corridor, including the reduction in the burden of vehicle maintenance by motorists. For the residents of the affected communities, Governor Abiodun’s talk-and-do approach to governance signals convenience and economic prosperity for the state. In any case, there can be no hassles about the question of maintenance, since the road will be tolled. As citizen Ogunsola quipped, hats off to Governor Abiodun for keeping his word.

 

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

The 2021 Kia Sorento made the first public appearance last week during the 15th Lagos Auto Fair at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island.

According to Kia, the made-in-Nigeria 2021 Kia Sorento demonstrated the auto giant’s ongoing transformation of new design and brand relaunch.

Kia’s presence at the fair, the company said, continues to highlight the wealth of research and development that has gone into the brand’s products, which aims to attract a trendsetting audience.

The display of Sorento and K5 gave visitors to interact, engage and immerse themselves in Kia’s latest innovative technologies and top-of-the-segment vehicles.

K5, Kia’s global best-selling sedan, combines a striking new design with a driver-focused interior, cutting-edge technologies, and all-new powertrain options – illustrating the premium qualities that the Kia brand now offers Nigerian customers.

According to Olawale Jimoh, the Marketing Manager of Kia Nigeria, “the K5 is the ideal model for the exuberant, tech-savvy individuals, as it can help achieve a lifestyle centered around personal freedom and mobility.

“The all-new K5 is well placed to establish itself as a fresh force within the premium sedan market, highlighted by its slick, sporty look, class-transcending space, robust powertrain, and diverse, cutting-edge technologies.”

The new K5 design, the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Jelani Aliyu, at the opening of the Lagos Auto Fair, expressed his awe at the “slick design” of the premium sedan.

Aliyu lauds Kia’s alluring design of the roomy, high-tech interior, sharp handling, and fresh new look characterised by sculpted bodywork and the premium model’s bold lines.

The K5 also boasts a suite of advanced safety, connectivity and infotainment technologies, placing it among the most high-tech and comprehensively equipped cars in its class.

The all-new K5 is defined by distinctive exterior elements, such as the long hood and glittering horizontal chrome lines on the front bumper, and sensuous shoulder lines pressed into the sides.

It also sports a wide “Tiger Nose” grille, intricately designed full LED headlights, premium crystal-cut alloy wheelbase, as well as a chrome-enmeshed rear bumper, all of which accentuate the SUV’s dynamic appearance.

The fourth generation of the 2021 Sorento features a head-turning design, more off-road capability, and proven safety technology.

With a bold new name representing Kia’s engineering and consumer confidence, the K5 on the other handsets a new standard among midsize sedans with its revolutionary design and powerful turbocharged engine line-up.

The interior of the Sorento is made of high-quality materials evoking the feel of a stylish, futuristic “cockpit” characterised by taut, smooth surfaces. Equipped with a range of technologies to maximise convenience, connectivity, and ease of use, the bold design of the cabin incorporates a touchscreen infotainment system.

The Sorento’s appearance at the fair impressed the attendees with a purposeful SUV stance, raised body, and a powerful all-wheel-drive system.

Its rugged looks are matched by true ‘go-anywhere’ capability. A rugged and robust large SUV – the Sorento hints at how the Kia has adapted its latest designs and features for the large off-road SUV segment.

Through its presence at the Lagos Auto Fair, Kia is demonstrating its technology vision of the future. The company is responding to sensitive human needs and conditions, building on the application of its technology and design breakthroughs.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Coscharis Motors Plc, the exclusive marketer of Ford brands in Nigeria, has showcased the latest Ford Explorer during the Lagos Motor Fair, held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

The Explorer possesses a series of driver-assist technology, including: Auto-on/off headlamps, Hill Start Assist, Apple CarPlayTM/Android Auto/AppLink 3.0, Reverse sensing system, Lane-keeping System, Auto high-beam headlamps, Auto hold, Pedestrian detection, Forward collision warning, Dynamic brake support, Post-collision braking, EcoCoach and  Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor.

Coscharis’s participation at the Motor Fair was to ensure customers get the opportunity to experience the new Ford Explorer among other Ford variants on display.

Coscharis Group’s General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Abiona Babarinde, expressed excitement at the company’s participation in the fair.

Babarinde said: “We are excited to showcase all the variants of our Ford brand at this fair to the delight of everyone that visited our stand; most especially the new Ford Explorer on display with all its unique features that have been the most sorted after through the duration of the fair and beyond.

“The platform equally was a perfect place where we showcased the Ford Escape that is on a special promotional discount – nearly up to two million naira for every purchase, among other packages.

“To complete the total package we offered at the fair was to give finance scheme support to discerning prospects as a way to ease ownership of any of our vehicles through any of our finance partners like Coscharis Mobility and Polaris Bank. With as low as 10 per cent to 30 per cent initial payment of the principal amount of any vehicle of your choice, you are good to drive home your dream vehicle with the finance partners that will help complete the full payment based on agreed terms and conditions attainable.”

Deputy General Manager, Ford Sales, Coscharis Motors Plc, Justin Ngini, added: “The Explorer is available as Base, XLT and the range-topping Limited Edition, with 10-speed A/T 2.3L EcoBoost to 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 engines. Despite serious competition from several other brands, our target will be to position it as the benchmark, as quite a bit of work had been done on the vehicle to upgrade it.”

The Explorer offers a more spacious interior with increased cargo space compared to the previous generation. With seating for up to seven, passengers in all three rows will benefit. The Explorer has best-in-class first- and second-row hip room and second-row headroom, while third-row passengers enjoy unsurpassed headroom. Should someone unbuckle their safety belt, a new Belt Monitor System will alert the driver as to which belt is unbuckled through the instrument cluster productivity screen. And thanks to a new dual-wall dashboard between the engine and passenger compartments, as well as acoustic glass for the windshield and first-row windows, everyone will enjoy the quietest Explorer cabin ever.

With up to nine available power points, including two new USB-C outlets, the Explorer interior helps keep everyone’s devices charged and ready to go.

Our Reporter 

From Friday, August 2, Lufthansa German Airlines will resume its operations to Port Harcourt.

The announcement follows the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s announcement of the reopening of Port Harcourt airport for international flights.

In a statement by Lufthansa German Airlines, operations to Port Harcourt will resume with five weekly departures to Frankfurt, and one-stop in Abuja.

The statement further stated that the flight Frankfurt-Port Harcourt will be nonstop with a flight time of only six hours and twenty minutes.

Read Also: Osubi airstrip resumes flight operations

The German carrier is the First International Airline to connect the garden city directly to the centre of Europe and beyond and the only one to service three Nigerian Airports with Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.

Added to the existing connection to Lagos, Lufthansa Group will offer ten weekly flights to Germany and thus double its frequencies.

“Lufthansa stays dedicated to Nigeria, one of our key markets in Africa”, says John Opara, Sales Manager Abuja & Port Harcourt Lufthansa Group. “We are happy that we will soon come back to Port Harcourt, responding to demand not only from the corporate, the oil and energy sector but also increasingly from private travelers from Nigeria, who want to visit family and friends in Europe and abroad. With the rapid vaccine rollout in Nigeria and across the world, we are also optimistic that travel recovery is imminent.”

John Opara further added, “Health and safety will continue to be our top priority and we are committed to maintaining strict adherence to hygiene regulations for all our flights.”

The reinstated Lufthansa flight LH594/596 follows a triangular routing from Frankfurt to Port Harcourt and returns via Abuja. This service will operate with an Airbus A330-300 five times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Cars45, an end-to-end digitised platform for buying, selling and swapping cars in Africa has merged with Jiji, a leading online marketplace in Africa.

The merger promises a new level of trade experience for auto buyers and sellers. Joining the Jiji family will allow Cars45 users to benefit from Jiji’s market-leading products in online classifieds. In turn, Cars45 brings a unique car buying and selling service, where cars can safely be sold instantly to dealers or via a consumer marketplace to other consumers.

Together, users in the auto sector can expect a new level of convenience in buying and selling cars, combining online and offline capabilities.

Chief Executive Officer of Cars45 Soumobroto Ganguly at a briefing in Alausa, said merging with Jiji was aimed at creating a new kind of automotive retail experience for users in Africa.

“We are proud to have built a trusted buying and selling experience in autos. It makes sense to combine online and offline expertise. We are confident of jointly building an African Champion in the O2O automotive Sector. Together we look forward to making transactions transparent and convenient for our customers, dealers and franchisees across all our current and future markets. Our business is complimentary; they (Jiji) have a good database of listings, merchants, sellers, dealers. Jiji has got  powerful performance management in Nigeria to generate leads. We (Cars45), on the other hand, have a strong transaction side in terms of bookings and inspections for closing transactions. We hope to combine offerings with all kinds of users and stakeholders,” Ganguly said.

Jiji’s African Director Yuliy Shenfeld said the collaboration will bring additional value to the consumers.

Shenfeld said: “We want to transform the market of buying and selling of cars with Cars45, which will have to go through inspection first before listed on Jiji. We are looking forward to creating a new advanced experience for customers. The Cars45 inspection process covers both the technical details, legal and vehicle history and documentation. With Cars45, you can sell your car in less than one hour. Now Jiji sellers will also benefit from this, and they can use more than 100 locations of Cars45.”

Jiji’s Investor Relations Manager Maxim Makarchuk, stated that the merger represented Jiji bold step into the transactional business model and an important foundation for building the future of the company.

According to him, the goal of the merger was to bring value to the end-users and create a one-stop solution for buying cars in the most convenient way for customers. “The merger is also a logical step in Jiji’s development as the leading e-commerce platform on the continent. Our strategy implies moving further into transactional marketplace models and Cars45 merger is an important step in its realisation. We are a customer-first company, and we are positive that customers will enjoy an even wider array of options with this relationship,” Makarchuk said.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

ECO-Green mass transit buses are soon to be introduced in some Nigerian city centres.

The buses already being used in major cities of the world are powered by recovered compressed natural gas (CNG), which is usually flared in the Niger Delta, and causing environmental pollution and crisis in the region.

Chief Executive Officer of Austrian Technologies Nigeria Limited, Johann Rieger, said the ECO-green buses had been built on European standards for critical climate and infrastructure as in Nigeria.

According to him, the buses are the safest and most economic public mass transit vehicles that can reduce carbon footprints by 95 per cent and operating cost by 30 per cent.

Specifically, he said the buses, coming with a lifespan of at least 15 years, had been equipped with engines of higher emission standards (Euro 5) with no toxic, smog or smoke, guaranteeing reduced noise and lower fuel costs. In Malaysia, those buses run 15 years with over 90 per cent average uptime.

Rieger also said the project would guarantee local capacity building of the buses through extensive transfer of the technology and know-how within a short time of the entire value chain.

Indeed, he said, “Up to 70 per cent of all components of the eco-green buses should be manufactured or assembled locally within five years of operation including the first green engine.”

He said the project would come with uniquely designed and efficient drivers’ safety training that would allow safe increase of passengers’ capacity by 30 per cent in accordance with international standards of public transport.

He said the vehicle had been built with the highest operational standards and expected to save the operator a minimum of $25,000 in comparison to any other large capacity bus.

He noted that six eco-green buses would do the job of at least 10 biggest BRT buses currently being operated in Nigeria and by switching over to locally available natural gas, he said at least $20,000 of foreign exchange is also saved.

He noted that driving with natural gas is the most environmentally friendly solution wherever this green fuel is available. They partnered already with local CNG suppliers who are ready to invest and guarantee 24/7 availability of the gas directly inside the bus depot of operators anywhere in the country.

About 90 per cent uptime, and maximum efficiency and transparency would be guaranteed through permanent real-time monitoring of each bus by eco- telematics and extended after-sale service with 24/7 spare parts availability and directly including service and wear parts for the first two years, said Rieger.

Some of the unique features of an ECO-green bus are given as roof mounted CNG cylinder with up to 500km range and gas leakage detection system and tyre pressure monitoring system.

The air and surfaces in their buses is permanently and chemical free sanitized by their ECO Viroxx air conditioning system with bipolar ionization.

Others are speed limiter, alcohol test and driver’s fatigue detection with driver’s biometric identification, CCTV camera system that can be directly integrated into the city surveillance system reverse camera; handicapped ramp and wheelchair area.

Rieger listed some of the technical features of the bus as electronic dashboard with extended eco-telematics system, real time driver’s feedback on safety and economic driving; on board video education in cooperation with UNICEF.

The bus is said to come on the same bus platform as 8.7m for 60 passengers; 10.5m for 80 passengers, 12m for 100 people and 18m accommodating 160 passengers.

Nigeria is poised for major innovation in the automotive sector. The gradual shift from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or “petrol” to gas-run vehicles is expected to put new spins on the wheels, reports TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

 

The launch of the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) on December 1, last year by President Muhammadu Buhari set the ball rolling for the evolution of vehicles running on gas in the country.

Showing its seriousness to gas-run vehicles evolution, the Federal Government early this year said it would convert one million vehicles from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to gas by the end of the year.

Some stakeholders in the automotive industry lauded this initiative. The move has further opened the industry to more investors. The initiative is part of 2017 Paris Convention resolutions to reducing Greenhouse gases.

Besides oil, Nigeria is richly endowed with abundant natural gas that if well harnessed would not only advance the economy of the country but also boost economic activates and offer opportunities for job creation.

According to Managing Director, Planet Projects Limited, Biodun Otunola, the policy is one of best in the sector.

Otunola urged the government to kick-start the conversion with passenger vehicles.

He stated that average Nigerian spent 50 per cent of income on transport.

“This is because of high cost of fuel. With this conversion, transport fare will crash. Let government implements it first with the public transport,” he advised.

In April, Autogas Africa THLD Group, took the lead by launching Autogas at its Flash Gas station in Ojota New Garage, Lagos.

According to its Managing Director, Mr Segun Olajuwon, the firm will start conversion of vehicles’ PMS to gas in June.

The Flash Gas station, he said, will convert up to 30 vehicles weekly.

He said government’s one million vehicles’ conversion was achievable

“A million vehicles conversion by the end of the year is achievable because gas is available. It is clean. We took a bold step to set up this facility to key into the government’s policy,” he said.

Also, an indigenous energy firm, OMAA, recently unveiled vehicles that would run on gas.

OMAA presented the country’s first locally-assembled natural gas-powered buses at the Nigeria International Petroleum Summit (NIPS) in Abuja.

Its founder, Chinedu Oguegbu, said the company was starting up with energy mobility, which vehicles were going on compressed natural gas and gas powered generators.

He said the company was committed to maximising Nigeria’s potential in gas utilisation.

According to Oguegbu, Omaa vehicles are assembled in Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra State.

He said: “This is the beginning of a trend that will revolutionise not just the automotive industry, but the energy industry. The nation is transiting to a gas-powered economy and OMAA’s goal is to drive this and accelerate it. We have our products on display ranging from generators, including the ones that are already using petrol.

“We construct buses that are rugged, customisable and adapted to Nigerian roads, as well as gas-powered solutions to foster sustainable energy usage in homes and commercial buildings.

“We have conversion kits that can make you now to switch to using LPG, which is safer and commercially viable. So, you save money when you switch to gas.

“Not only are our vehicles assembled by local talents, our facility also includes a training centre which has the ambition to provide subsidised training in gas conversion technology to at least one hundred participants.”

He appealed for the Federal Government’s support, saying: “If the government supports the industry, we are going to see more people employed; we see more growth and development. The African Continental Free Trade is already in force, what that means is that our borders are going to be progressively opened. Before now, there’s no assistance, but we are seeking government support in providing access finance bases, also for expansion of the manufacturing plant in the state, we need to grow, we need to expand our standard, we need to do a lot more,” giving single digit low interest funds will go a long way to making sure that we remained in business.”

Another firm, Austrian Technologies Nigeria Limited, has concluded plans to roll out locally-assembled ECO Green buses in the country

The buses already being used in major cities of the world are powered by recovered compressed natural gas (CNG), which is usually flared in the Niger Delta, and causing environmental pollution and crisis in the region.

Chief Executive Officer of Austrian Technologies Nigeria Limited, Johann Rieger, said the ECO-green buses had been built on European standards for critical climate and infrastructure as in Nigeria.

According to him, the buses are the safest and most economic public mass transit vehicles that can reduce carbon footprints by 95 per cent and operating cost by 30 per cent.

Specifically, he said the buses, coming with a lifespan of at least 15 years, had been equipped with engines of higher emission standards (Euro 5) with no toxic, smog or smoke, guaranteeing reduced noise and lower fuel costs. In Malaysia, those buses run 15 years with over 90 per cent average uptime.

Rieger also said the project would guarantee local capacity building of the buses through extensive transfer of the technology and know-how within a short time of the entire value chain.

Indeed, he said, “Up to 70 per cent of all components of the eco-green buses should be manufactured or assembled locally within five years of operation including the first green engine.”

He said the project would come with uniquely designed and efficient drivers’ safety training that would allow safe increase of passengers’ capacity by 30 per cent in accordance with international standards of public transport.

He said the vehicle had been built with the highest operational standards and expected to save the operator a minimum of $25,000 in comparison to any other large capacity bus.

He noted that six eco-green buses would do the job of at least 10 biggest BRT buses currently being operated in Nigeria and by switching over to locally available natural gas, he said at least $20,000 of foreign exchange is also saved.

He noted that driving with natural gas is the most environmentally friendly solution wherever this green fuel is available. They partnered already with local CNG suppliers who are ready to invest and guarantee 24/7 availability of the gas directly inside the bus depot of operators anywhere in the country.

About 90 per cent uptime, and maximum efficiency and transparency would be guaranteed through permanent real-time monitoring of each bus by eco- telematics and extended after-sale service with 24/7 spare parts availability and directly including service and wear parts for the first two years, said Rieger.

Some of the unique features of an ECO-green bus are given as roof mounted CNG cylinder with up to 500km range and gas leakage detection system and tyre pressure monitoring system.

The air and surfaces in their buses is permanently and chemical free sanitized by their ECO Viroxx air conditioning system with bipolar ionization.

Others are speed limiter, alcohol test and driver’s fatigue detection with driver’s biometric identification, CCTV camera system that can be directly integrated into the city surveillance system reverse camera; handicapped ramp and wheelchair area.

Rieger listed some of the technical features of the bus as electronic dashboard with extended eco-telematics system, real time driver’s feedback on safety and economic driving; on board video education in cooperation with UNICEF.

The bus is said to come on the same bus platform as 8.7m for 60 passengers; 10.5m for 80 passengers, 12m for 100 people and 18m accommodating 160 passengers.

Not wanted to be caught off-guard, the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) will on July 29 hold a workshop on Electric and Gas-Powered vehicles.

Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Jelani Aliyu has been invited to throw more lights on the level of government’s preparedness for Gas-Powered vehicles.

The event, with the theme ”Migration from Petrol to Electric and Gas-Powered Vehicles; Opportunities and Challenges for Nigeria,” will be held at Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja Lagos.

The annual event NAJA Chairman Mike Ochonma, said was aimed at providing a robust refresher course for auto journalists to enhance their performances and efficiency in automotive journalism especially in view of the new gas-powered technology that is gradually being accepted by many countries.

“The need for training and retraining cannot be over emphasised especially in the 21st century which is largely driven by the knowledge economy.

“Given the challenges of the times, NAJA’s resolve to continually equip members across the nation with relevant skills, and acquaint them with modern trends, tools and techniques for enhanced and effective performance, is further demonstrated through this upcoming seminar.”

He remarked that the seminar which was being organised in collaboration with key stakeholders in the auto industry will feature various experts.

The theme, he said, becomes imperative due to the gradual move away from petrol-powered to both the electric and gas-powered vehicles.

“Since this new global thinking, there are many questions and concerns from vehicle owners both from the individual and corporate fleet buyers on the implications of the new trend. It is, therefore, important for journalists covering the beat to be abreast of the new technology for them to adequately report the sector, and also be able answer questions and concerns regarding the new trends,” he said.

 

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Coscharis Motors Plc will showcase Ford, Ford Truck and Renault brands in this years’ Lagos Auto Fair scheduled to commence today at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island.

Coscharis will also unveil the new Ford Explorer, which is the Ford Flagship in Nigeria.

Coscharis Group General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Abiona Babarinde, said: “For the first time, as the exclusive distributors of these great brands in Nigeria, we are excited to showcase the locally-assembled Renault brands, the new Ford Trucks lines and also keen to reveal the latest model of the Ford Explorer.

“In addition, the auto fair will be an opportunity to bring these vehicles closer to our customers and prospects alike that have been unable to visit our dealerships recently to avail them the newer models in our custody. More importantly is to equally make the purchase of any of our brands on display with the introduction of our finance scheme packages through our select finance partner platforms. These are some of the highlights of our participation this time around amongst other offerings to delight our numerous stakeholders to continually deliver value for their money.”