Category: Motoring

Our Reporter

The Managing Director, United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), Prof Chidi Onyia, has sought technical partnership with the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

Chidi said the objectives of the agency include funding Federal road network with the hope of promoting economic growth, support initiatives that help to improve condition of Federal road Network and to provide network condition supporting economic growth.

He said the programme is demand-driven and so, requires full compliance of the FERMA in areas of close working relationship, technical demands and signed agreement which helps conduct the activities.

The support programme, Onyia added, is for four years with possibility of two years extension i to meet its set target.

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The Lead, Road component, Mr. Bill Mcmahon, said the key areas of support by the UKNIAF are road sector reform (Road Authority & Road Fund), predictable and sustainable funding for rehabilitation and Maintenance, Road Asset Management System RAMS and project delivery.

FERMA Managing Director Nuruddeen Rafindadi, said the agency is open to partnering with UKNIAF for technical support which will tremendously aid in project delivery.

Rafindadi added that FERMA and Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (NIAF) have formed a strong partnership in the past which include technical support in the use of evidence based planning for road maintenance investment centered on robust data collection regimes.

Our Reporter

The new Kia Sorento will make its world premiere at the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show.

The all-new Kia Sorento will be revealed for the first time on March 3. Designed and engineered to take on everything life can throw at it, the fourth generation of Kia Motors Corporation’s flagship global Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) is the latest addition to the brand’s reinvigorated SUV line-up.

The first vehicle based on Kia’s new-generation midsize SUV platform, the Sorento raises standards in its segment for practicality, offering space on a par with larger vehicles. The new model also marks the first-time adoption of hybrid power in the Sorento line-up.

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Kia is targeting the global SUV market by applying a range of innovations to the new Sorento, including advanced driver assistance systems and progressive connectivity and infotainment features.

A mainstay of Kia’s global line-up, more than three million Sorento models have been sold worldwide since it was launched in 2002.

TWO different air bag glitches have forced Toyota and Honda to recall over six million vehicles worldwide, and both problems present different dangers to motorists.

The Toyota recall affects about 3.4 million vehicles globally and is being done because the air bags may not inflate in a crash. The cars have air bag control computers made by ZF-TRW that are vulnerable to electrical interference and may not signal the bags to inflate.

The problem could affect as many as 12.3 million vehicles in the U.S. made by six companies. It’s possible that as many as eight people were killed when air bags didn’t inflate. United States (US) safety regulators are investigating.

More than three years after the government took over management of recalls involving dangerous Takata air bag inflators, one third of the recalled inflators still have not been rep

Honda’s recall covers about 2.7 million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada with Takata air bag inflators. But they’re a different version than the ones blamed for 25 deaths worldwide. Still, it’s possible the air bags could blow apart a metal canister and hurl shrapnel at drivers and passengers.

In a statement, Toyota said the computer may not have adequate protection against electrical noise that can happen in crashes, such as when the vehicle runs under a different vehicle. The problem can cause incomplete opening of the air bags, or they may not open at all. Devices that prepare seat belts for a collision also may not work.

In most cases, Toyota dealers will install a noise filter between the air bag control computer and a wiring harness. But in some vehicles, dealers will inspect the computer to determine if it needs the filter. Owners will be notified by mid-March.

The recall covers certain 2011-2019 Corollas, the 2011 to 2013 Matrix, the 2012 through 2018 Avalon and the 2013 to 2018 Avalon Hybrid in the U.S.

Tajudeen Adebanjo

THE General Manager of Shaanxi Heavy Duty Automobile Import and Export Co. Ltd, Mr. Tian Chao, visited its distributor, Transit Support Services Limited (TSS) and other major customers in the country last  week.

Shaanxi is the manufacturers of SHACMAN Heavy and Medium Duty Trucks and Road Tractors.

This visit was to the expanding market of SHACMAN Heavy and Medium Duty Trucks and Road Tractors in Nigeria through its TSS franchise company.

Tian met with the dealers and customers of the SHACMAN brand as well as discussed plans to build a Complete-Knock-Down (CKD) plant in collaboration with TSS.

This, TSS said, will contribute to the development of the automobile sector and encourage technology transfer between China and Nigeria.

SHACMAN held its grand assembly line opening ceremony at the ANAMMCO assembly plant in January 2015 and has since produced over 1,800 trucks from the factory.

This marks a significant breakthrough in the localisation project, since the brand’s entrance into the market through TSS as SHACMAN Nigeria.

TSS said over 3000 SHACMAN vehicles have been sold.

“Tian’s visit  afforded him an overview of the Nigeria truck market with a view to increasing investment in the country. SHACMAN has since inception manufactured over 1,000,000 vehicles of different varieties. SHACMAN’s military truck has successively participated in the 35th, 50th, and 60th anniversary military review on China National Day. SHACMAN is one of the Chinese heavy-duty truck manufacturers to have advanced in the localisation project since the vehicle assembly policy in Nigeria. SHACMAN Nigeria operates through a network of dealers and showrooms in Lagos, Benin, Owerri and Abuja,” TSS said.

SUBARU has revealed an unnamed concept Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), which could be based on the brand’s forthcoming all-electric underpinnings

Subaru previewed the design of the electric rival for the Volkswagen T-Roc and SEAT Ateca. Technical specifications on the prototype are yet to be confirmed but, given its size, we expect this is the first vehicle based on Toyota and Subaru’s forthcoming, jointly developed all-electric platform.

Toyota and Subaru recently announced an agreement which will see the pair jointly develop a dedicated all-electric platform for larger vehicles. The new EV platform will reach the United Kingdom and European markets in the early 2020s, underpinning a new C-segment SUV which will also be designed and built collaboratively by the two brands.

Details on the new platform remain sparse, but Toyota and Subaru have claimed it will play to both brand’s strengths. As such, the pair’s new C-segment SUV will combine Toyota’s experience with electric technology with Subaru’s four-wheel-drive expertise. The platform will also underpin a range of larger vehicles, including a D-segment saloon and SUV.

Subaru and Toyota’s official render offers an indication of their new platform’s construction. It will feature an electric motor on the front axle and a low-mounted battery pack, presumably to benefit the car’s weight distribution and packaging. The styling of this new Subaru concept also matches the silhouette of the brands’ design sketch.

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The new electric platform will help Subaru achieve its long-term emissions goals. By 2030, the Japanese manufacturer is aiming for all-electric or hybrid-electric vehicles to account for at least 40 percent of its global sales figures. By 2050, Subaru hopes to reduce the average CO2 emissions of its new vehicles by 90 percent, when compared to 2010.

The pair have also announced their wider electrification strategy which, due to the differing amounts of environmental legislation and infrastructure support for each country, will vary according to the region. Toyota says it will provide a “horses for courses” approach to electrification, aiming to offer the right products for the right markets, at the right time.

As such, Toyota and Subaru will likely roll out its new electric platform in Japan, China and Europe first, where the electric market is strong and the supporting infrastructure is rapidly developing. Toyota is also keen to stress that hybrid powertrains will still form a key part of their electrification strategy and that it continues to research hydrogen technology.

IT is in Nigeria that we have millions of holders of driver licence who do not know 10 percent of the traffic signs and road markings, drivers who cannot read traffic signs on the roads, drivers who cannot read the symbols on the vehicle dashboard, drivers who do not know the road traffic regulations.

It is here we don’t have drivers who have no copy of the highway code not to talk of knowing the contents, drivers who do not know vehicle dynamics, drivers who do not know his responsibilities and limitations on the roads. The list of the deficiencies of most Nigeria licensed and unlicensed drivers is endless. Yet these vehicle movers who called themselves drivers are dangerously operating on Nigerian roads manifesting their ignorance in the form of unsafe speed, dangerous overtaking, aggressive driving, disregard for the rights of other road users, drug addiction and other violations on the roads.

The government has been sounding worried about the persistently high rate of road traffic crashes, injuries and deaths without taking workable proactive measures to reduce the carnage on the roads. There is an urgent need to enforce the training and final assessment tests by all driving schools for all learner drivers before the issuance of certificates for the processing of driver licence. The Vehicle Inspection Officers(VIOs) must be well funded to conduct theory and practical tests for all driver licence applicants without any form of compromise.

Consequent upon the aforementioned, there should be no more driver licence for illiterates who cannot read and write and with at least elementary knowledge of computer operation as it obtains in countries with low rates of road traffic crashes. Life is very precious and we must put away all forms of sentiments.

The Constitution provided that Nigerians should possess basic education. This is the reason basic education is free. Anyone who has no basic education to read and write should go for other less complex menial jobs and stop constituting  safety risks on the roads as drivers. Life is precious and irreplaceable.

Nothing is too much for the governments and their agencies as well as other Nigerians to do to prevent irreparable lives and valuable properties from wasting on the roads.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Last year was the ninth consecutive record year for Mercedes-Benz, with growth of 1.3 per cent to a total of 2,339,562 units delivered worldwide.

At the same time, Mercedes-Benz maintained its leading position among the luxury car brands for the fourth year in a row. In all three of its main markets – China, Germany and the USA – the Stuttgart-based brand with the three-pointed star surpassed the high levels of the previous year. China, Mercedes-Benz’s largest market, remained the main growth driver, with sales of 693,443 units representing an increase of 6.2 per cent and a new record year. Last year’s model offensive with a total of more than 10 new or revised models led to a significant boost in unit sales, particularly of Compact Cars and SUVs, and contributed to the overall sales growth.

In full year 2019, Mercedes-Benz maintained its market leadership in the luxury segment in markets including Germany, Great Britain, France, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Canada and South Africa.

Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG Ola Källenius said: “The ninth consecutive record year underscores once more the strong demand for Mercedes-Benz vehicles, even amidst far-reaching changes in the mobility landscape. In addition, Mercedes-Benz continues to be clearly the number one in the luxury market – this proves how valuable our brand is. 2019 was a year of great challenges for the automotive industry. The next two years will also be characterised more than ever by the transformation of our industry. In this challenging environment, we intend to further increase our unit sales and set the course for long-term competitiveness. With investments in new technologies and profitable sales growth, we are paving the way for Mercedes-Benz to lead the global luxury market as a pioneer of sustainable luxury also in an era of CO2-neutral mobility.”

Mercedes-Benz’s five largest markets last year were China, Germany and the USA followed by Great Britain and South Korea. The Stuttgart-based company with the three-pointed star finished the year with the highest annual unit sales in its history, as well as its best quarter ever (614,319 units) in the fourth quarter of 2019.

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Mercedes-Benz sold for the first time more than 600,000 cars within a quarter. In the month of December, 205,968 vehicles were sold and therefore the high prior-year level was almost achieved.

Britta Seeger, member of the Boards of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG responsible for Marketing and Sales said: “In 2019, a particularly large number of customers in China, Germany and the USA decided in favour of a new vehicle from Mercedes-Benz: In each of these three major markets, we surpassed the high level of unit sales we achieved in the previous year. The ninth record year reflects, among other things, the success of our model offensive with Compact Cars and SUVs, which have delighted new and existing customers all over the world.

We offer a broad product line-up with innovative technology and emotional design, which means we have the right vehicle for every customer. This year, we want to further rejuvenate our product portfolio with more than 10 new or revised models, including a specific focus on electrified models.”

Driving is among the most complex and dynamic tasks globally. It involves the coordination of several organs of the body in a continuously changing environment to ensure effective and safe vehicle control.

In the developed and some developed countries, every driver licence applicant or would – be driver must past compulsory computer – based theory test. Those who pass the theory test will then proceed for the practical test before being issued driver licence. This is because such countries clearly understood early enough that driving is not for illiterate people because of its complexity and the dynamics of vehicle technology and the road traffic regulations. That’s why such countries have been recording low rates of road traffic crashes and deaths till date. In those countries, people celebrate when they pass the pre – licence theory and practical Tests.

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In the 50s – 90s in Nigeria, illiterate drivers were coping well with the task of driving in Nigeria because the road networks, vehicle technology, traffic regulations and health issues were not as complex and dynamic as they are today. Weave lanes, multiple – lane roads, traffic signs written in words and symbols, computerised vehicles with multiple on – board facilities, in – car and outside distractive objects as well as other road users are now on the increase thereby increasing the complexity of today’s driving far beyond the ability of stark illiterates who cannot read and write.

In Nigeria, we are accustomed to risk taking and dangerous compromise.