Category: Motoring

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

 

Elizade JAC Autoland, in partnership with the First Bank, has unveiled the special 30 vehicle finance campaign to enable Nigerians access affordable and low interest rate finance.

The campaign, tagged ‘Special 30’ is the first edition, which has kicked off. It would end August 4.

The campaign will enable up to 30 lucky individuals to access the most incredible brand new vehicle ownership scheme monthly. Vehicles under this scheme are JAC Motors passenger vehicles JAC J4 sedan, S2 Fabric Seat and Leather Seat, and S3.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Elizade JAC Autoland, Demola Adeojo said: “For us at Elizade JAC Autoland, we seek ways to enable Nigerians to own vehicles. Now with this scheme, you do not have to cough out the entire cost of a vehicle when you can access a very affordable customer focus campaign like the Special 30 scheme.”

FirstBank Group Executive, e-Business & Retail Products, Chuma Ezirim, said: “At FirstBank, we remain committed to promoting initiatives tailored at meeting our customers’ immediate financial and personal needs.

We are excited about this partnership with Elizade Auto Land, in conjunction with JAC motors, as it is a means to owning a brand new vehicle with premium vehicular maintenance services and various benefits at cost effective rates.

Customers are implored to visit the FirstBank branch nearest to them for this amazing opportunity to own a brand new car.”

To access the Special 30 campaign; walk into any first bank outlet nearest to you or the nearest Elizade Autoland /Showroom closest to you.

JAC Motors is the only Chinese brand with full range of vehicles across all segments in Nigeria.

 

Some of the models include the J4 sedan, S2, S3, S5, S7 (SUVs) as well as T6 pickup, Sunray bus X5 pickup, L40 Truck and the N-Series-3tons, 4tons, 5tons, 7tons and 10tons which can be adopted to various applications

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

 

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling 44,191 model year 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrids, Camrys, Camry Hybrids & Lexus ES300h vehicles, and model year 2019-2020 RAV4s and RAV4 Hybrids equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines.

Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally.

A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may suffer damage mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block – as necessary – free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 6.

Tesla recently announced plans to recall 15,000 of the company’s Model X SUVs.

The recall stems from an issue with “excessive corrosion” of bolts that connect power steering components to the steering gear.

The issue has been more prominent in areas where road salt is used to combat snow and ice.

The issue could result in a vehicle losing its power-steering-assist function, which would make it more difficult to turn the steering wheel, but not make the vehicle undriveable.

 

The electric vehicle maker issued a similar recall on Model S sedans in 2018.

The Model X carries a starting sticker price of just under $85,000, a range of 328 miles between charges, and a top speed of 155 mph.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

 

Gunsel has completed its working prototype of Model B9. It was the first automotive company in the Mediterranean to unveil its Electric Vehicle design in 2016.

There were 109 engineers and R&D team that took part in the project. Among them were three Nigerians living abroad.

In total, they spent 1.2 million man-hours on building the prototype, which has been presented to the public.

With a composite body made from carbon fiber, zero-emission, and noiseless drive experience, Gunsel B9 attains full charge capacity in 30 minutes, can travel up to 350km on a single full charge and reaches 100km/h in eight seconds.

Report has it that the three Nigerian engineers, two of who are mechanical engineers and a software engineer were in pursuit of their graduate degree in the Turkish Republic before joining the Gunsel team.

Their details are Sodrudeen Mustapha (MSc graduate of Software Engineering), McDominc Eze (Ph.D. candidate of Mechanical Engineering), and Adebanji Adewunmi (MSc graduate of Mechanical Engineering) from Kwara State, Imo State and Lagos State.

They just got their names engraved in the history of electric vehicle production while studying at the Near East University when they got involved in the project.

It would be recalled that among people making Nigeria proud in the automotive industry is the acclaimed world’s best car designer Jelani Aliyu, a United States-based Nigerian automotive designer, who designed General Motors’ leading auto brand, Chevrolet Volt.

Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing is fast becoming a household name and also the Jos-based Jerry Isaac Mallo of Bennie Technologies Limited, who recently unveiled the country’s first locally manufactured carbon fiber sports car.

Just last week, American social commentator Carol Angela Davis @carolangelad gave her opinion about Nigerians in the diaspora, saying they stand for excellence.

According to the United States census bureau, four percent of Nigerians in the US hold a Ph.D., which is compared to one per cent of the US population, 17 percent of Nigerians hold a master’s  and 37 per cent have a bachelor’s. Nigerians are said to be the most educated ethnic group in the US.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

 

Dangote Group has entered into a long-term agreement with an Enugu-based automaker, Transit Support Services Limited, for the supply of Shacman trucks being assembled at the Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company Limited’s (ANAMMCO’s) factory in Emene, Enugu.

Already, the group has purchased 3,500 trucks from the automaker worth N63 billion, according to the Managing Director of the Transit Support Services, Mr Frank Nneji.

Nneji, who spoke with journalists on Saturday after a facility tour of the truck assembly line at the ANAMMCO plant, said the supplies amounted to over 90 per cent of all Shacman trucks assembled at the factory since the revival of the plant after a long period of abandonment.

“About 90 per cent of trucks produced here are for Dangote. Right now at the dump, we have about 300 units. Since last year, we have done 800 units. Dangote Group since inception has bought about 3,500 units from us. It also patronises the Shackman trucks for its refinery currently being built in Lagos,” he said.

He said the project had also kept busy the Onne port, which was dormant for many years.

According to him, the port is used for the delivery of vehicle components supplied to the ANAMMCO plant by its partner from China, Shaanxi Heavy Duty Automobile Import & Export Company.

Nneji, who is also the Managing Director of ABC Transport Plc, the franchise holder of the Shacman Nigeria, said the Dangote/Shacman truck deal had benefited the people in the area immensely through job creation and training of young school leavers.

He said: “This has been of tremendous benefit for the people in the Southeast. For more than seven years, this place was shut down. There was no activity until Shacman came and we made an agreement with the Shacman Group and we started skeletally. We were only able to start full production of trucks when we offered logistics solutions to the Dangote Group. That was in 2016 when we started the first agreement for 500 trucks.

“With this, many workers of ANAMMCO who had been at home had to come back to work; some local suppliers of lubricants, electrolyte and the rest had to return to business.

“It goes further than that because we are in Enugu, we use the Onne port to bring in vehicle components. From 2016, the Onne port has handled more than 3,000 containers of truck components for the ANAMMCO plant. This is courtesy of Dangote Group’s patronage of Shacman trucks being assembled at the Enugu plant.”

Nneji noted that the resuscitation of the ANAMMCO plant was made possible through the establishment of the auto policy which encouraged local production of automobiles

He said: “The Dangote Group has kept the automobile industry working because we have always approached the company with the request to supply our trucks, which are not only strong and durable but representing a major automaker in the Southeast.

“According to the NADDC, Enugu and Nnewi have been designated the automotive centre for the South-East. This is because of the long stay of ANAMMCO and its high technical capacity.”

Dangote Group Corporate Communications General Manager Mr Sunday Esan, said Dangote was satisfied with the quality of Shacman trucks and assured of continued patronage.

“Dangote Group is expanding. Apart from the cement, sugar and salt factories, among others, we’re starting a petroleum refinery, the biggest in Africa. All these will require a high number of trucks. It is a long-term relationship,” he said.

 

 

By Jide Owantunmise

Sometimes ago, I told a driver who has been driving for over 15 years to tell me the differences between a Y – Junction, T – Junction, Cross Junction and Staggered Junction with explanations on their implications to drivers. The single sentence he gave as an answer was that “Junction is a Junction no matter the shape and that drivers on the minor road should give way to the vehicle on the major road.

What all classes of drivers, private or commercial must know and practise about Junctions is far more than the answer I got from the driver I interviewed. Drivers must be conscious of the shape and direction of the Junction. For example, ask yourself if the Junction is a Slip Junction or Merging Junction. It is a slip Junction if you are moving from a minor road to join a major road. By design, a short slip lane must be constructed by the side of the Y Junction. The vehicle must not move straight into the major lane but first move into the slip lane at a low speed, carry out the MSM/PSL routine and then move into the extreme right lane when it is safe to do so.

Every Y – Junction must also have a Chevron marking (in white) which vehicles must not cross ( tyres of vehicles must not touch the markings). This is to enhance safe slipping and merging at Y junctions.  The Abuja – Airport and the Berger – Zuba roads were well constructed with these provisions in place but research reports revealed that over 80 per cent of drivers don’t know what they stand for.

The merging Y Junction is the one that moves from a major road into a minor road. The driver must slow down, follow the MSM/PSL routine and merge into the minor lane when it is safe to do so. By design, a short turn lane is supposed to be constructed near T- junction. This is the space where vehicles that want to turn into the T – Junction will move into before turning into the T – Junction when it is safe to do so. This when done, will prevent a build up of traffic by vehicles intending to turn into a T – Junction. Sometimes ago, I stood near a T – Junction at Utako near Jabi Motor park to count the number of drivers that will make use of the turn lane but to my amazement, only one out of 23 cars made use of the turn lane before turning into the T – Junction. This is one of the causes of traffic gridlock and accidents.

The size of a vehicle also has a lot to do with manoeuvering at a Junction. Drivers must be conscious of taking the right decisions at road junctions. It is wrong to drive into a situation where you cannot see a clear path through. As you are approaching any type of Junction, always follow the MSM/PSL routine. Position your vehicle correctly and safely without obstructing other vehicles. See the big picture in your observation and be accurate in your judgement as you approach the Junction. Where available, do obey the traffic lights and traffic control officers at  junctions. Understand and follow the turn – on – red traffic light where available at  junctions. Strictly adhere to the stipulated and commonsense speed limit at junctions.

Always apply the defensive and super defensive driving techniques at junctions to prevent crashes. Federal and State government must ensure the installation of traffic signs at junctions where necessary and correct traffic signs with road markings at junctions in all city and interstate roads. The use of CCTV Camera and allied technology should be added to the traffic light to complement enforcement and prosecution of road traffic offenders. Road safety is a joint responsibility. All road users and policy makers must always take appropriate steps to prevent the loss of lives and properties on Nigeria roads.

 

 

Nissan Nigeria under the dealership of Stallion Group has taken children from Motherless Babies Home and Vigilant Heart Orphanage to Silverbird Galleria to have a feel of privileged life.

Head of Sales for Nissan in Nigeria Amit Sharma said the initiative was guided by the vision of enriching people’s lives.

“Nissan Nigeria sets out to give a “fun day at the movies’ experience to the children of the charitable homes. It is our way of rendering exemplary service towards providing care for orphans and abandoned and underprivileged children in Lagos,” he said.

According to him, about 70 children from the charitable causes were taken along with their care givers to watch a movie titled “Dr. Dolittle.”

Read Also: Nissan recalls 1.2m vehicles

“The children’s enthusiasm was electric. The children were also made to watch short movies on road safety norms. This is one of the many activities that Nissan Nigeria– Stallion Group commits to carry out this year to inculcate safe driving culture in the young minds.

“We seeks to contribute to sustainable social development and carries out social contribution activities as a corporate citizen focusing on education, environmental awareness and humanitarian relief,” he said.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Less than one year after the latest model of the Mitsubishi L200 pick-up was unveiled by Massilia Motors, in an impressive event on the Landmark beach in Oniru, Lagos, it has been named Pick-up of the Year.

The Mitsubishi L200 which was nominated alongside the Toyota Hilux and the Ford Ranger, was elected the winner by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) at its annual NAJA Awards held at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Managing Director of Massilia Motors/Country delegate of  CFAO Group in Nigeria, Mr. Thomas Pelletier stated that his company is elated by the recognition given to the pick-up, which has over the years been a key player across various Nigerian industries.

It would be recalled that during the launch of the latest model last year, Pelletier had said: “Mitsubishi L200 is very important to us because it represents 80 percent of our sales, and I am optimistic that customers will like the new generation L200”.

Pelletier, who was also recognised as the Most Innovative CEO of the Year during the NAJA Awards, maintained that “in terms of value for money, we are the best because we do not compromise in quality delivery and our Mitsubishi cars have been tried and tested over the years. Our after-sales support is backed by qualified technicians who have been adequately trained by the Japanese manufacturer.”

Read Also: Kia Motors to build manufacturing plant in India

Massilia Motors General Manager for Sales, Mr. Tunji Itiola explained that the enhanced rugged exterior features and advanced safety features are prominent inclusions in the new vehicle which comes in three variants: single/double cabins 4×2 and double cabin 4×4 powered by a 2.4-litre engine. The new pick-up is available in Massilia and CFAO Motors showrooms nationwide.

The Mitsubishi L200 pick-up gained popularity through its constant evolution in the last 40 years thanks to its driving dynamics, running costs, standard kit and attractive prices.

The L200 is used as a utility vehicle in a wide variety of applications such as construction sites, fast moving consumer goods distribution, and oil field sites, among others.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

In a bid to ease new car ownership for Nigerians, CFAO Motors, the sole distributor of Suzuki cars in Nigeria, has unveiled its vehicle Trade-in scheme.

Interestingly, the Trade is non-restrictive to car brands or models, even if it was bought as a tokunbo (used) car.

According to the Managing Director of CFAO Motors, Mr. Thomas Pelletier, the process is as simple as bringing in your current car for valuation and choosing to pay the balance for a brand new car up-front or through financing.

For example, a Brand new Suzuki Dzire sold at N6 million, can be traded in with a Toyota Corolla 2013 valued at N1.7 million. Balance due: N4.3 million upfront or 109,000 naira/monthly (up to 60 months). So, only 20 per cent equity is needed for the financing.

The valuation of your car will be done in Lagos at the company’s Akin Adesola, Victoria Island showroom only while financing options are also available in CFAO Motors offices in Abuja and Port Harcourt.”

Read ALSO: Kia brands win iF Design awards

To this end, with as little as N3.7m or N85,000 monthly, anyone can own a brand new Suzuki car! The models available in Nigeria cut across compact cars, sedans and Sport Utility Vehicles with the Alto, Dzire, Swift, Baleno, Ciaz, Ertiga, Vitara and Jimny.

Suzuki Motor Corporation is a Japanese multinational founded in 1909, known for manufacturing a wide range of products which include automobiles, motorcycles and outboard marine engines. With three million cars sold globally every year, the brand is recognised for its line-up of affordable compact cars.

In Nigeria, Suzuki has been quite popular with the mini-buses and compact car taxis which have been plying the roads over the years.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

The Kia XCeed urban crossover and the ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept have been awarded with the 2020 iF Design Awards. Both vehicles demonstrated Kia Motors Corporation’s design-led approach to product development, and the brand’s evolution in an age of electrified mobility.

Winning a prize in the ‘Professional Concept’ category, the ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept is a visual embodiment of Kia’s desire to champion and popularise exciting electric cars. The XCeed was awarded in the ‘Product’ category, following the successful introduction of the new urban crossover to the European new car market in 2019.

This double achievement once again illustrates the Korean manufacturer’s unrivalled strength in automotive design. Kia won its first iF Award in 2010, and has created at least one prize-winning vehicle design every single year since. A brace of prizes in 2020 brings Kia’s total number of iF Design Awards to 20.

The ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept is a pure electric four-door passenger car which draws together elements of a sleek and athletic family sedan, a muscular sports utility vehicle, and a versatile, spacious crossover. Intentionally designed not to sit within the car industry’s predefined vehicle categories, it is also defined by its next-generation, zero-emissions powertrain: a low-mounted, induction-charged battery pack that powers electric motors on each axle. The ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept was revealed at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show.

READ ALSO: Hyundai, Kia invest €100m in devt of electric vehicles

Vice President of Design for Kia Motors Europe Gregory Guillaume said the car hints at something familiar, but is something entirely new.

“I think of it as a category-buster, and a disruptor – it’s familiar and understood but at the same time progressive and new,” Guillaume said.

Winning the iF ‘Product’ design award, the Kia XCeed is a new urban crossover utility vehicle (CUV) which combines compact SUV practicality with the sporty packaging and engaging handling of a hatchback. It addresses the growing desire among European drivers for cars which offer more emotion and dynamism than an SUV, both in terms of the way they look and drive.

Our Reporter

Two of the common causes of road traffic crashes are wrong positioning of vehicles in motion and lane indiscipline. Drivers must position their vehicles in the middle of their lanes whether there are lane markings or not.

Drivers are to avoid lane weaving which is confusing and unsafe. Every driver must know and practise the MSM/PSL routine to ensure safety on the roads. I will briefly mention the key points about vehicle positioning and lane discipline.

Drivers should endeavour to keep to the right lane for the ease of overtaking on the left lane.

Stay clear of parked vehicles and other obstructions. Drivers should always employ the hazard perception techniques.

Move in the middle of your lane to allow adequate lateral space on the right and left sides.

Always obey the following distance rule in all environments. Tailgating is very common in Nigeria and this is the main factor responsible for rear-end collision and multiple crashes.

Avoid weaving in and out between vehicles. This is a result of impatience and haste. Always plan your journey ahead and set out early to avoid hasty or aggressive driving which do fuel driver errors.

Read Also: FRSC criticises lane indiscipline by drivers

 

Position your vehicle correctly and communicate appropriately for the direction you intend to take.

Obey the road markings particularly the lane markings, dedicated or priority bus lanes, one way roads, right and left lane turn arrows, markings when approaching roundabouts, Y-junctions, T-junctions, Cross – roads, sharp bends, bridges, etc.

Select the correct lanes in good time and use the MSM/PSL routine to ensure safe lane change or overtaking.

Components of the MSM/PSL Routine:  Before you change lane or overtake any vehicle in front of you, always follow the steps below to ensure safety:

   Mirror – Look into the mirror to check the position and speed of the vehicles behind you. Also check your blind spot.

  Signal: Use the vehicle’s turn indicator and when necessary, your hand signal to show your intention to change lane while you also slow down.

  Manoeuvre: Safely change your speed or position.While manoeuvring, make sure your vehicle is in the correct position for the manoeuvre and move safely in good time.

Make sure the vehicle move at the appropriate speed without violating the legal speed limit and the common sense speed limit.

Make sure you are looking at the big picture while manoeuvring.

These guidelines, when followed, will ensure safe driving in all situations.

Expect more information about road hazards next week.