Category: Motoring

Our Reporter

South Korea’s largest automaker, Hyundai Motor Group, plans to invest $87 billion over the next five years in future mobility technologies like electric vehicles and autonomous driving.

Its Executive Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun, who is heir apparent of the country’s No. 2 conglomerate, announced the plan last Thursday during the group’s New Year’s ceremony at its head office in Seoul.

He said: “To consolidate our leadership in vehicle electrification, we plan to operate 44 electrified models by 2025, including 11 dedicated battery EV models, by bolstering the development of EV platforms and core components.

“In particular, in our fuel-cell electric vehicle business, where we boast the world’s top technological competitiveness, we will hit our stride by providing fuel-cell systems to customers not only in the automotive industry but also in other sectors.”

Hyundai strives to expand its electric line-up to 44 models, including 23 battery EVs and 14 hybrids, and two fuel-cell EVs. The first new battery EV will be launched next year.

Another top priority of Hyundai Motor Group, the world’s fifth-biggest carmaker in terms of sales, is self-driving commercialisation, according to Chung.

The automaker aims to develop an autonomous driving platform by 2022 and to start operating self-driving vehicles in 2023 before commercial production in the next year, he said.

Toward that end, the group invested $2 billion last year into a joint venture with Ireland-based autonomous vehicle startup Aptiv.

On the group’s 2020 sales, Chung cited an ambitious objective of 7.54 million vehicles, up five percent from a year ago. The group saw its annual sales dip to 7.19 million cars last year, which was the lowest after peaking at eight million in 2015.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Stallion Motors has described as “untrue” that its operations have been shut down owing to a court judgement arising from company’s indebtedness to Nigerian banks and Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Anant Badjatya, said news was “completely baseless and false.”

According to him, a few of the rented and leased properties were affected because of the court’s ex parte order, which was done without any notice.

He said: “We are unable to comment further on this as the matter is sub judice. Stallion’s legal team has appropriately taken it up with the judiciary.

“The company has banking lines with local banks for regular business operations like all other major conglomerates in Nigeria and clarifies that it does not owe N330 billion to the banks as specified by the media. On the contrary the organisation enjoys a very good customer loyalty across businesses and has a sound financial position with more than N750 billion in assets with approximately N150 billion liabilities, most of which is a receivable from Federal Government, which translates into a very healthy debt to equity ratio. It is poised for further expansion with investments across business divisions; agriculture, aqua culture, auto, flexible packaging, logistics, business solutions among others.”

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It would be recalled that some Stallion showrooms in Victoria Island were sealed off on December 10 as a result of ex parte order.

Badjatya said no other properties have been affected anywhere else in the country, adding that some locations which were sealed off are now open and working.

Stallion, Badjatya said, is completing its 50th year of establishment in the country.

“It employs 4000 people directly and indirectly; it is one of the foremost conglomerates hugely invested in the country. It  boasts of the largest installed rice milling capacity (working directly with more than 40,000 farmers across the country), largest and best equipped auto manufacturing and assembly plant in West Africa feeding its state-of-the-art nationwide dealer network for nine global auto brands facilitating vehicle sales, leasing and aftersales, the largest Tilapia aquaculture farm, largest cold storage capacity, fertiliser blending plant, state of the art flexible packaging plant, plastics factory, clearing, transportation logistics and warehousing solutions, a cutting-edge audio visual automation solution provider,” he said.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Mandilas Group Limited and the retail arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), NNPC Retail Limited, have jointly opened a Quick-Service Centre in Abuja.

The partnership which is set to transform the automotive aftermarket, will lead to the opening of more of such centres in other parts of the country.

During the inauguration of the centres at the NNPC Mega Petrol Station on Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Abuja, Mandilas pledged to provide the best of after-sales service and maintenance for vehicle owners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

NNPC top officials said Mandilas was selected for the partnership after a rigorous research for a top notch auto after-sales service provider.

Managing Director of NNPC Retail Limited, Sir Billy Okoye, urged Nigerians to enjoy the efficient services offered by the centre.

Okoye said the centre is strategically located to provide quick and efficient service for automobile users.

Group Chief Executive Officer of the Mandilas Group Ltd, Ola Debayo-Doherty, said NNPC couldn’t have had a better partner for the centres than Mandilas.

“We are continuously evolving to meet current market demands and to provide quality service to Nigerians. Our commitment to Nigeria is unrivalled. In approximately 70 years in the automobile industry through the ups and downs of the macro and micro business dynamics, we remain resolute in our belief in Nigeria and Nigerians,” he said.

He hailed NNPC for launching a range of lubricants, which he said would provide options to the market.

NNPC Retail Limited General Manager, Sales and Marketing Mrs Elizabeth Aliyuda described the opening of the centre as a special moment, assuring that the facility would be replicated in all the NNPC Retail Stations across the country.

“It was a whole lot of research, a whole lot of brainstorming, a whole lot of documentation because we have to make sure that we abide by all rules, regulations, and ensure due diligence is carried out. We have to ensure that we get a top-notch company that provides such services and at the end of the day we were able to select Mandilas as our partner,” she said.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

A night of suspense and celebration it was last Tuesday for the cream in the automobile industry as their brands compete for the best of awards of the year.

The A-list guests thronged Eko Hotels, Victoria Island in Lagos for the annual automobile awards organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA).

Tagged NAJA Awards, the event had in attendance the Team Lead of the Presidential Committee on Clearing of Apapa Port and Access Roads, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, Mr Ifeanyi Agwu, Chairman BKG Exhibitions, organisers of the Lagos and Abuja Auto Fair, the representatives of the Director- General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), and the Corp Marshal of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) as well as some Chief Executive Officers and other stakeholders in the nation’s automotive sector.

Toyota Corolla beats Hyundai Tucson and GAC GS4, a Chinese brand to win the biggest award of the night – the Car of The Year (COTY) Award.

In the Luxury Car of The Year, Mercedes Benz S-class emerged winner ahead of BMW 7-series and Porsche Panamera, while the   Luxury SUV of The Year award went to Range Rover Autobiography.

Mitsubishi L200 edged out the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger to clinch the Pick-Up of The Year Award while Mini Bus of the Year award went to the Toyota Hiace that competed with the Nissan Urvan and Mercedes Benz Sprinter buses.

New Auto Lubricant of the year went to Motul, just as Ondo Motor Rally smiled home with the Motor Sports of The Year Award.

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Cars.45  was named as Online Auto Marketing Company of The Year; JAC, emerged the Most Improved Brand of The Year; even as Hyundai was named the Highest Selling Brand of The Year.

While Mandilas was announced as the Auto Workshop of The Year and Changan as Fastest Growing Auto Brand of The Year, the  Honda Accord took home Executive Car of The Year award.

NAJA Chairman Mike Ochoma, said that NAJA award is the most prestigious auto award in the country.

He pointed out that the winners were arrived at, after an exhaustive, but objective evaluation of competitors in each of the categories

He said that, the award winners which were arrived at through members’ votes, will among other things, provide consumers with sound, comparative information on vehicles that are new to the market.

In his response, Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) Managing Director Mr Kunle Ade-Ojo who received the COTY award in a presentation made by the duo of Comrade Opeifa and Agwu, thanked the organisers for putting up the award and for finding the Corolla worthy for the COTY award.

Ade-Ojo promised that the company will continue to uphold the integrity which the company has been known for, while contributing positively for the Nigeria Auto industry.

Also, Special recognitions were given to TNL Advert and Public Relations Manager Bukky Ogunnusi and Coscharis Group General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Abiona Babarinde. Managing Director/CEO of CFAO Motors Thomas Pelletier got the award of Most Innovative CEO of The Year.

Dorcas Egede

In a bid to enhance user experience on their bus-hailing mobile application, Plentwaka has upgraded their current mobile application to a higher version, Plentywaka2.0.

This was revealed during a test driving and media briefing Thursday.

Starting with 25 buses, Plentywaka launched their bus-hailing service to “change the transportation landscape one bus at a time, provide a source of income for drivers and vehicle assistants, create a safe and convenient transport system for bus drivers, curb traffic congestion and polition by encouraging public transportation and reducing the number of individual cars on our roads.” According to the Johnny Enagwolor, MD and Co-founder of Plentywaka, these aims have been achieved and more effort is still being put in by the Plentywaka team to ensure that riders continue to have safe, convenient and comfortable rides courtesy Plentywaka.

What began as a scary and somewhat unachievable dream has now become a brand many want to reckon with. Said Enagwolor, “Few months ago, we launched this beautiful idea called Plentywaka and as we speak today, it’s gradually becoming a big brand people can now boast of and associate with, and we’re happy with that. Few months ago, this was a dream that looked scary, and at some point, looked unachievable, but we are glad that as we speak today, on App store and Goggle Playstore alone, we have had about 15,000 downloads, and in the last two months, we have been able to move over 25,000 riders and that is growing. Traction is building.

Moreover, since launching Plentywaka in September with CMS to Ajah and Ajah to CMS being the pilot routes, Plentywaka has since added more routes to reach out to more road users. “We launched with the Ajah-CMS route, but we had to extend our route to Abraham Adesanya. So, right now, we are actually operating Abraham Adesanya to Ajah. We also launched another new route, which is Ahmadu Bello, Eko hotel to Ademola Adetokunbo back to Ajah.”

Adding that because of the growth the business has witnessed in the last few months, the 25 buses with which Plentywaka was launched can no longer meet the demands of riders along the various routes Plentywaka operates, Enagwolor said, “We are expanding and it has become pertinent for us to get more buses. How do we achieve that?”

To get more buses in their fleet, Enagwolor said that the bus-hailing company launched the “Plentywaka Vehicle Partnership two days ago and the feedback have been amazing.” The essence of the Plentywaka Vehicle Partnership, he said is to allow people who have indicated interest in partnering with Plentywaka start on-boarding their vehicles on the platform.

According to Enagwolor, the bus-hailing company used the 25 buses initially launched to test the model and set the standard. “People are used to the standard that we have set and actually enjoy the services we currently offer – the comfort, convenience and safety. We have had cases of people leaving wallets containing huge sums and expensive things on the bus and they were returned.” He said.

The partnership, Enagwolor, said, would allow people bring buses on the platform and earn returns on their investments. “What happens is when you bring a bus on the system, you are guaranteed a return of revenue generation of between N500,000 – N800,000 every month. From the revenue generated, Plentywaka gets 30% and partners get 70%. This is one part of the partnership. We have another part, whereby people who want to partner with Plentywaka and don’t have buses can actually bring 30% equity contribution of the total cost of the capital.

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“We have signed a pact with a finance company that will finance the asset, all investors have to do is provide 30% equity on that asset and we’ll finance the asset for you. When you put the bus on the system, 70% of the revenue we generate on the asset would be paid to the finance company, as repayment of loan to buy the buses and 30% will be paid to the partner that will eventually become the owner of the asset. We are looking at getting 100 buses before the first week of January. He said.

Speaking on the workings of the Plentywaka 2.0 app, Afolabi Oluwaseyi, VP Operations, Plentywaka explained that the app was improved upon to enhance user experience. According to Afolabi, previously, users could only log into the app using their email address, but in the improved app, users can now log in with their phone numbers. Moreover, apart from setting your pick up and drop down point, users can now book rides for as many as 20 persons, if they want. The app now also has an option that helps the user select which direction they’re going, towards CMS or towards Ajah.

Other benefits of the Plentywaka 2.0 app include wakapurse, which enables riders transfer money from their account into the purse on the app. This takes care of the fear people entertain about putting their card details out on public space. Also, users can transfer funds from their wakapurse to the purses of other Plentywaka users.

The United States government announced last Wednesday a recall of over a million vehicles from several auto companies following the discovery of a new and potentially dangerous flaw in the vehicles’ airbags.

Some older vehicles made by five automakers – Audi, BMW, Honda, Mitsubishi and Toyoto – were recalled because of a malfunction in their airbags, which were manufactured by the Takata Corporation.

According to the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 1.4 million vehicles may have the defect, but the agency estimates about one percent of them actually have it.

Information from the NHTSA stated that the airbags contain Non-Azide Driver (NADI) inflators. This defect can cause the airbag’s inflator to explode or “underinflate” when it is deployed—resulting in serious injury and even death. The NHTSA referred to the phenomenon as a “very serious threat to safety.”

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According to documents published by the NHTSA, the Takata Corporation wrote that it made 4.45 million of the NADI inflators between May 1, 1995 and August 31, 1999. Because the vehicles assembled with those inflators were released over two decades ago, the documents read, not all of the inflators are still in cars being driven today.

“The number of Takata NADI inflators for vehicles sold in the United States is substantially smaller but is not precisely known at this time,” the documents read.

Takata, which filed for bankruptcy in July 2017, has a history of having to recall vehicles due to faulty airbags. According to the NHTSA, these vehicles recently recalled for NADI inflators join another 41.6 million of others that were previously recalled after they were found to have been sold with faulty airbags that Tanaka manufactured.

Jide Owatunmise

This article on dangerous following, tailgating or blind following is designed for Pedestrians, Riders and all classes of drivers. Sometimes ago, I saw six women wanting to cross a major road. After waiting for a while, one of the women dashed to the road surprisingly,the remaining five women followed without taking the pain to see if it was safe for them to cross the road. Unfortunately, the last two women were crushed to death by an oncoming vehicle. In this case, there was a poor display of hazard perception skill by the driver and the women (pedestrians).

Last week Friday on Port Harcourt to Enugu road, two Sienna cars belonging to the same Transport Companies were dangerously following each other with high speed. I personally warned one of the drivers against blind and dangerous tailgating.  At a point, the driver at the front decided to overtake a heavily loaded truck and the second driver followed blindly without taking time to assess the potential hazards. The first driver who was seeing ahead more clearly passed the truck successfully but the second driver tailgating blindly was not as lucky. His car was crushed by an uncoming trailer. This incident ended up becoming a multiple accident.

Tailgating by pedestrians, riders and drivers is dangerous and a common cause of road traffic crashes, injuries and death. All road users must always LOOK and THINK  and then ACT. Let us look at these three steps for safer road use. LOOK – Look far ahead into your path of travel to see the potential hazards ahead, look to your right and left sides for likely hazards. Look at the back to know if there is any danger behind. You must have the big picture of the road environment. That is, gather all the available information within the road environment.

Having looked to know if there is any danger around you, then think on the likely consequences of any action you take at that moment. That is, interpret the information gathered to assess the identified risks. The quality of your interpretation is what will determine the action you will take. The action you take will subsequently determine your safety and the safety of others around you or otherwise.

The eyes, ears and nose of road users must be actively available without distraction to gather information on the road. The brain of the road users must be free from emotional pressures and psychoactive substances to rightly interpret the information gathered from the road environment. The hands and legs of road users must be functioning effectively to prevent the identified hazards.

As the activities of the yuletide continues, road users must be patient and avoid blind following or dangerous tailgating to further reduce the rate of road traffic crashes, injuries and deaths on Nigeria roads.

Tajudeen Adebanjo

Lagos State government has said the solution to incessant gridlock experienced in the metropolis is to create an alternative intermodal transport system.

Speaking at the maiden edition of Lagos Transport Fest, Commissioner of Transportation, Dr. Frederick Oladeinde, the solution to the traffic problems in the state is creating options. There is need for synergy between private and public partnership to drive transport system in the state.

According to him, building roads would not solve the problem of gridlock in the state, saying that the state government developed a transport policy driven by technology.

Oladeinde said integration is pivotal in developing intermodal transport in Lagos, stating that the government has highlighted five processes to achieve integration.

He listed the process to include a common ticketing system that allows commuters, passengers to use a single card for bus boat and rail; timetable and location integration and integration between where people live and work.

He said the Sanwo-Olu administration is trying to run an inclusive government where intelligent transport system is needed and created.

Speaking on the future of mobility, Business Head, Port Operations, Kobo360, Nkiru Amadi-Emina, said Nigeria needs a government that focuses more on infrastructure development.

Amadi-Emina said apart from intermodal transport system, there is need for a good regulatory framework that will govern the activities of operators within the sector.

She said the future of mobility is using technology to disrupt the conventional way of doing things, which is currently taking shape in the society.

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Speaking on how the private sector can build infrastructure, she said: “I think there should be more public-private partnerships policies that are being implemented. There should be more concessions given to private individuals that choose to take the initiative. So I think governments if they are not able to take initiative and act fast and execute, there should be more partnership with private organisations, that would allow them to fix the things that need to be fixed, to ensure that our operations run smoothly.”

Bolt West Africa Regional Manager Uche Okafor, said the world has shifted to the future of mobility, which is the way technology is changing the way people move from the government needs to optimise infrastructure to cater for the growing need of population within the country.

Earlier in his address, Executive Director, Lagos Transport Fest, Ijaodola Jamiu, said the forum was organised to ensure private and government stakeholders in the transport sector come together to address myriad of challenges bedevilling the sector.

He said the platform seeks to amplify conversation on the future of mobility in Nigeria while providing a global platform for debate and action to build the future of transport.

Kia Motors will release two new models catered to the Indian market next year, the automaker said during a ceremony held last Thursday  to mark the official opening of its first Indian car production facility.

The Kia Motors India’s manufacturing plant in Andhra Pradesh, India, started producing the Seltos SUV in July, the plant’s first production model. Kia said the factory is now fully operational, and it hopes to sell 160,000 cars in the country next year.

Among the two new models scheduled for release next year, a premium multipurpose vehicle (MPV), or minivan, will be released in the early half of the year, and a new sub-compact SUV model will be released later that year.

Kia is planning to showcase the MPV at the Delhi Auto Expo that kicks off in February next year. As it is targeting the premium vehicle market, the new car will have a luxurious design as well as top-notch IT technology to differentiate it from existing MPVs in India.

The planned sub-compact SUV is a strategic model intended to tackle emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as Africa and the Middle East, according to Kia.

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Through the lineup of SUVs and minivans, the carmaker said it hopes to bolster its brand image as a utility vehicle producer in India.

As it expands its presence in the country with the factory, Kia said it will strengthen sales with a new digital sales strategy using a digital platform that puts all aspects of car purchasing online.

To enhance after sales services, the company will launch a new 24-hour, real-time mobile service for vehicle maintenance.

“Now fully in operation, our new plant allows us to serve the growing Indian car market and export models like the Seltos to markets across the world,” said Park Han-woo, president of Kia Motors, during the opening ceremony.

“In the longer term, it will also become a vital part of our global production network,” Han-woo said.

Kia is planning to make India a base for its mobility services as well.

It invested $60 million in India’s car-hailing service provider Ola in March and partnered with Revv, an Indian car-sharing service provider, last year. With the mobility companies, Kia is preparing to offer various mobility services including on-demand test drives and vehicle subscription services.

THE Ember months road crisis is about to reach its peak as the month of December sets in.  The days between mid-December to mid-January is usually a beehive of activities on Nigerian roads with lots of people travelling in one direction or the other for Christmas and New year festivities. Reports over the years have also revealed that the rate of traffic violations and road traffic crashes are higher within this same period. I therefore want to use this platform to present messages to road users in Nigeria to reduce the carnage on Nigerian roads.

Journey planning – Plan to travel earlier to reduce traffic congestion and hasty driving on the roads.

Over speeding – Drivers must avoid every form of unsafe driving. It fuels driving error, loss of control and accidents.

Lust for money – Drivers of commercial vehicles should avoid rushing to make multiple trips because of the crave for money.

Fatigue – Drivers must make room for adequate pre – driving sleep of not less than six  hours to avoid micro sleep and allied crises while driving.

Drug abuse – Many drivers do engage in the use of psychoactive substances and drugs under an illusion that it helps them to cope with the stress of driving. Contrariwise, psychoactive substances and drugs interferes with the normal functioning of the brain and other organs of the body thereby making the users safety risks on the roads.

Road maintenance – By now, the Federal and State Ministries of Works as well as the Federal Road Maintenance Agency must be up and doing to make the roads motorable or vehicle worthy. Good enough, the raining season is already passing away thereby making road maintenance much more easier.

Vehicle condition – The Federal Road Safety Commission and State Vehicle Inspection Officers must intensify their activities in vehicle monitoring and inspection to ensure that only road worthy vehicles ply the roads. Driving School Association of Nigeria ( DSAN) must do more to ensure that all classes of drivers are trained and re – trained as an effective boost to safe driving in all situations.

Traffic law enforcement – The mobile Traffic Court system should be invigorated to ensure the prosecution of apprehended road traffic offenders nationwide. Additionally, the traffic offenders should be referred to accredited driving schools for correctional training.

Traffic management – There is a need for the Federal Road Safety Corps, Vehicle Inspection Officers and State Traffic  Management Agencies to identify and concentrate more attention on the black spots to prevent traffic gridlocks and crashes.

Security – The Security Agencies must be on their toes to ensure the roads are well manned to prevent criminal activities in the day and night. Without doubt, the Nigeria Security Agencies have been doing well in this area. They, however, need to do much more because of the nature of the season. Whether we like it or not, night journeys can never be ruled out in Nigeria mainly because of the nature of goods being transported, the distance and preference of passengers. Therefore, the Government should take proactive steps to ensure the safety and security of all road users both in the day and in the night.

Drivers, remember that life is not a car part, once lost or damaged, it cannot be replaced. Be safety conscious and drive to safe lives. Road Safety is a collective responsibility. The governments ( Federal, State and Local) and all road users must take appropriate steps to ensure safety and security for all on Nigeria roads. I wish all the readers of this column Merry Christmas and a Happy new year ahead.