Category: Motoring

Automobile enthusiasts in Nigeria are about to get fired up and live their passion once again as the renowned French automobile brand, Renault, makes a return to the country.

Precisely on Thursday, Renault will make a giant stride back into the Nigeria market.

However, this time around, it will be led into the market by Nigeria’s foremost automobile dealership, Coscharis Motors Plc, one of the subsidiaries of the Coscharis Group.

To kick start this strong cooperation which involves both local production and distribution, two of the Renault variants namely Logan and Duster will be assembled in the existing Coscharis Assembly facility in Lagos.

Additionally, Renault Kwid and Renault Oroch will be imported as Complete Built Unit (CBU) in due course of the partnership.

“With a population of over 200 million, Nigeria is a strategic African country where Groupe Renault will extend its footprint. The Coscharis Group is a recognised player in car (vehicle) assembly and distribution.  Thanks to their expertise and our products adapted to the local needs, we will be able to answer immediately to the customers’ demand in Nigeria” said Fabrice Cambolive, SVP and Chairman of the Africa , Middle-East India region of Groupe Renault.

Groupe Renault is leading the African continent with an 18 per cent market share. In 2018, Groupe Renault sold more than 216 000 vehicles in Africa. The most important countries in sales volume are currently Morocco, Algeria, South Africa and Egypt. The group’s objective is to maintain its leadership within these countries and respond to the demand of the new emerging middle class of the countries like Nigeria.

Coscharis Group President/ Chief Executive Officer Dr Cosmas Maduka said: ‘’This partnership is to showcase another initiative from our great organisation through one of our subsidiaries, Coscharis Motors, to further create value as a key player in the automobile industry in Nigeria; we are glad to celebrate the confidence the renowned brand, Renault reposed in us to represent them in Nigeria. This milestone marks another step in the evolution of our organisation towards remaining timeless in its relevance’’.

The new Lagos State Executive Order on Transportation, the Automation of road traffic law enforcement in some parts of Lagos State and the reviewed fines for traffic offences are commendable attempts aimed at providing solutions to the hydra headed monster of road traffic crashes and fatalities. I hereby urge all other states and the Federal Capital Territory to follow suit.

There are, however, some issues that the Lagos State Government need to address before the set goals can be achieved. There is an urgent need for the government to ensure proper naming and numbering of all the streets and houses in Lagos respectively to complement the Automation technology more effectively. For example, on Lagos road in Ikorodu, there are three houses with number 212 and two houses with number 314. Some houses have no correct number at all. How can traffic offenders be traced with the automation?

There is a need for proper and all-inclusive  National Identity registration to be done for all Nigerians not only for security purpose alone but also for road traffic law enforcement. With correct documentation of everyone in Nigeria, the data can be linked to the motor vehicle data, driver or rider licence data and Bank Verification Number (BVN).

When a driver or rider commits a traffic offence, there is no need to pursue him or her for arrest, the fine will automatically be deducted from his or her bank account. The laws of the federation could be finetuned to make provision for issues like this.

There are some yellow lines that have faded off from the roads. It will therefore be illegal, immoral and an act of injustice to arrest or prosecute a driver for crossing a yellow line which is not visible for motorists to see and obey. There is therefore the need for the relevant state government ministry, department or agency to ensure proper road marking and appropriate installation of traffic signs to complement the road marking. The rules or fines should not be seen from the perspective of revenue generation alone but more importantly, the safety of lives and properties.

Another issue that needs to be addressed is the case of VIPs and Officers of Military and Paramilitary who often display their regalia in the vehicles or use their uniform and position to willfully violate the traffic laws and escape prosecution.

I call this a stylish violation of Nigerian traffic regulations. The equality of all Nigerians before the law should always be demonstrated even on our roads to ensure sanity and prevent further loss of lives on Nigeria roads. The Federal and state governments should therefore pay adequate attention to the promotion of safety on Nigerian roads no matter how much it costs. No amount is too much to prevent the loss of irreparable lives.

The Nigerian auto lovers would soon welcome the Eighth Generation Hyundai Sonata.

The remodelled vehicle is on its way to make Nigeria debut, having undergone a remarkable makeover that incorporates Hyundai’s third-generation vehicle platform with the inspiring appearance and improved performance.

The remodelling, Hyundai Motor Company said, was aimed at improving the market competitiveness of the Sonata and its subsequent models.

“They are already being infused with greater flexibility, enhanced overall design, safety, efficiency and outstanding driving dynamics,” Hyundai said.

Hyundai Motor Company Head of Styling/Vice President Simon Loasby gave the hints in Seoul, Korea at the international premiere of the Sonata and E-Segment Palisade Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

Loasby said the remodelled Sonata has brought with it fresh chapter for Hyundai’s longest-standing model, yet continuing a global success story that started in 1985.

Unlike its predecessors, the eight-generation Sonata is a four-door coupe-styled sedan that showcases Hyundai’s ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language.

The Sonata, he said, represents Hyundai’s future design vision, which incorporates advanced safety systems and cutting-edge technology that is engineered to be seamless and intuitive in function.

Read Also: Lagos battles motorcycle services firms over revenue

Suffice to say that the latest Sonata is the first model to adopt Hyundai’s new innovative ‘third generation’ modular vehicle platform, which delivers increased strength and reduced weight to enable improvements in design, safety, efficiency and driving performance.

”The new generation Sonata is also offering reduced weight and improved fuel efficiency while achieving stronger durability with the new platform,” Loasby said.

The sophisticated multi-load path increases the energy absorbed by the vehicle in a collision thus improving safety and minimising collision impact in the passenger cabin.

Hyundai said the platform has been designed to allow the tyres to move outward during a small overlap collision to maximise occupant’s safety. This particular technology prevents the vehicle from spinning and prevents possible secondary collision.

The extended application of Hot Stamping, Hyundai reiterated, is capable of preventing deformation of the passenger room, thereby improving vehicle safety as well as enhancing power, driving performance, which has all been infused in the next generation engine called the Smartstream Powertrain.

Also featuring a system that controls the flow of air, the Sonata improves air movement to the engine bay and heat dissipation, which enhances stability in the lower part of the vehicle and subsequently minimising air resistance to deliver excellent efficiency and power performance.

The Korean automaker said this transformation will enhance handling by dramatically expanding lateral stiffness while positioning the steering closer to the wheel centre and providing stable and balanced driving performance through tyre-optimisation technology.

Hyundai Motor Company Vice President Architecture Group Fayez Abdul Rahman said: “through the implementation of the third-generation platform, the new generation Sonata is expected to provide world-class value in overall vehicle performance.

“The new Sonata will gradually expand the use of a new platform in order to provide the joy of driving and comfort to the customers.”

Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company has employed more than 110,000 people worldwide. Hyundai has sold more than 4.5 million vehicles globally.

Nissan Sunderland Plant is celebrating another record-breaking milestone as the 10 millionth vehicle rolls of the production line.

A statement by Sonu Singh in the Media and Marketing department of Stallion Motors said it has taken the plant 33 years to reach the ten million mark – making it the fastest car factory in the UK to the landmark figure. It also means that, on average, a new car has been built in Sunderland every two minutes since production started in 1986.

And if all 10 million cars were parked nose to tail, they would stretch for more than 42,000km – which is enough to go all the way around the equator of the world, with a few to spare.

Nissan Sunderland Plant Vice President, Manufacturing Steve Marsh said: “Building 10 million vehicles is a tremendous achievement for everyone associated with the plant.

“Reaching this huge figure has called on all the ingenuity, commitment and spirit of our highly skilled workforce, many of who hail from the North East of England.

“Together we are determined to continue to drive up the high-quality standards our customers have come to expect over the last three decades.”

The 10 millionth car was a Vivid Blue Nissan Qashqai Tekna, complete with ProPILOT technology, which controls the steering, acceleration and braking in a single lane on highways during heavy traffic congestion and high-speed cruising. The pioneering crossover is also the most produced model at the plant, contributing more than 3.4 million to the overall figure. Micra is the second most produced car, with close to 2.4 million being built in Sunderland.

Qashqai is one of nine main models to be built at the plant since the first Bluebird was built in 1986 and it is one of three currently made at the plant, alongside the all-electric LEAF and Juke. Last year production of Juke passed one million, with Primera, the only other model to hit seven figures at just under 1.5 million.

Nissan Sunderland Plant was built on the site of a former airfield, with a groundbreaking ceremony taking place in July 1984. The first Bluebird rolled off the line two years later in 1986, and production for the first year was 5,139. The total workforce at that time was 470, compared to about 7,000 today.

Your journey to parenthood is an exciting time that requires much preparation, and also includes staying safe on the road. During pregnancy, mothers-to-be need to continuously make in-vehicle adjustments to ensure optimal positioning and safety while driving.

To help engineers better understand the needs of expectant mothers, Ford Motor Company designed an “empathy belly” – or pregnancy suit. This pregnancy suit adds an extra 13.6 kg of weight (the average weight gained during pregnancy) and simulates the bulkiness and discomfort experienced in the third trimester of pregnancy, which assists engineers design vehicles that enable expectant mothers and a broad range of drivers, to make necessary adjustments that support safe driving.

Based on the insights gained from wearing the empathy belly, the following top tips from Ford have been developed to further assist you on your journey to motherhood.

Seat belt safety

First, remove coats or any bulky clothing to ensure a snug fit. Pull the seat belt over your shoulder, between the breasts and to the side of your belly. The lap portion of the belt should be located at your hip and below, not across your abdomen. Make sure the belt lies as flat as possible under the curve of your belly. Never put the shoulder belt behind you or under your arm, as this can cause serious injury in the event of an accident.

Make proper vehicle adjustments

Move your seat back to a comfortable distance from the pedals, ideally sitting about 25cm away from the steering wheel. This will protect your abdomen if the airbag deploys in an accident. If your car’s steering wheel is adjustable, point the centre of the steering wheel away from your belly and towards your chest. After changing your seat position, be sure to adjust your rearview and outside mirrors. Should you suffer from backache, place a small round pillow or rolled towel behind your lower back, to improve comfort while driving.

From snack attacks…to nausea

Food cravings and “morning” sickness, can happen at any time of  the day. Be sure to pack plenty of water and your favourite snacks to satisfy those cravings. Keep extra “nausea bags” in your handbag and glove compartment. Pull over to a safe place when hunger or sickness strikes, avoiding being distracted while driving.

Have a rest…or avoid driving

The “pregnant brain” endures more strain than usual, so it’s best to plan and map out your trips in advance. If possible, avoid driving long distances and take frequent breaks to promote blood circulation in your feet. During pregnancy, feet and ankles swell easily when sitting for extended periods of time. So take a break, stretch and move your legs, feet and toes.

For expectant mothers, the middle rear seat is the safest place in a car (as long as it offers a shoulder and lap belt). However, if you sit in the front passenger seat, push it back as far as possible, to protect your belly if the airbag deploys.

Now that you’re prepared for safer driving on the road, it’s time to find the perfect child safety seat for the first ride home with your baby.

Of the two trucks in the commercial vehicle segment – Actros and Arocs – introduced into the Nigerian market last year by Weststar, Arocs has become the toast of users of trucks.

According to Weststar, it has since been touted as the new force in construction.

The auto firm said Arocs takes on every challenge in the construction business with tailor-made solutions for every vehicle body.

The truck is equipped with a robust and high-torque engine, Mercedes PowerShift 3 and a new unique suspension and frame design, all as standard. It comes with a durable powertrain that delivers precisely the power needed in off-road transportation, construction sites or extreme terrain. It also comes with increased ground clearance with high angles of approach to ensure optimised agility even in challenging road conditions.

Combining power, robustness and efficiency in a unique way, the Arocs continues the 120-year old tradition of Mercedes-Benz Trucks in the construction industry while bringing them into the future with innovative technology.

Designed to provide a reliable, high-torque drive configuration to suit the construction industry down to the ground, the Arocs offers a number of frame and suspension configurations developed to excel both on and off-road.

From platform vehicles and concrete mixers to heavy-duty tippers, the Arocs is a tough and robust vehicle that will meet any challenge in construction and off-road transportation.

The six-cylinder engines have higher engine efficiency through the wastegate turbocharger, the optimised viscous fan clutch and the intelligent auxiliary consumers. The OM473 (Euro III), a state of the art six-cylinder in-line 15.6 liter engine opens a new dimension in high performance engines. The turbo compound unit transforms thermal energy into mechanical energy and thus increases the operating efficiency of the engine: the engine has additional power but lower fuel consumption by using the X-Pulse fuel-injection system which reduces the fuel quantity utilised in the engine.

The new Arocs comes with Mercedes PowerShift 3 as standard and manual gearshift as an option. The gearbox is 100 percent made by Mercedes-Benz ensuring the best integration with engine and axles, providing a wider range of gears for operation in optimal torque ranges and optimised start-off capabilities. With Mercedes PowerShift 3 one gets the best shifting strategy at any time (30-50 percent faster gear changes than manual) with friction reduction for minimised wear and tear of the driveline.

Providing a wider range of gears for operation in optimal torque ranges and various driving modes for different road situations, such as Power Mode, Crawl function and Rapid Reverse.

The narrow frame in the new Arocs comes with a width of 744 mm and a longitudinal member thickness of eight or nine mm, which is made of cold formed, high-strength fine-grained steel, is used in vehicles intended for deployment mainly on construction sites and for off-road driving. This ensures highest reliability and torsional flexibility even in difficult conditions.

Mercedes-Benz offers many safety and assistance systems to reduce risks and increase comfort for the driver. More safety is provided due to more than 400 sensors which are fitted on the truck to ensure safe and efficient driving. These safety systems include the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR), Hazard warning lights flashing in case of emergency braking, Active Brake Assist 4 and Attention Assist as some of the highlight features.

Weststar Associates said the truck is available for immediate order with the best Aftersales service and support.

VOLKSWAGEN and Ford are close to reaching a deal on a partnership for developing self-driving cars, the German carmaker’s chief executive  Herbert Diess, has said.

Volkswagen and the nunber two  U.S. automaker signed a deal in March to develop a pickup truck and have been in talks about extending the alliance to include autonomous driving and mobility services.

The talks are “going well and are nearly complete,”Diess told some 500 of the company’s top managers from around the world gathered at its headquarters in the German town of Wolfsburg.

Ford said talks are continuing and that it would share updates when details became firm.

“Discussions have been productive across a number of areas,” a spokeswoman said in an emailed statement.

Carmakers are increasingly looking to partnerships and alliances to help share the cost of moving to new cleaner technologies, potentially saving billions of dollars in costs.

Volkswagen, navigating global trade conflicts, views its relationship with Ford as strategically important to help balance its regional interests.

“Today we are de facto a very Chinese-oriented company. For this we need a counterweight in the U.S.,” Diess said, according to prepared remarks seen by Reuters.

Earlier this week, Volkswagen said it had ended its partnership with self-driving car software firm Aurora.

The dissolution of the partnership came after Aurora said that it would build autonomous platforms for commercial vehicles with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Ford’s majority-owned subsidiary Argo AI is building an automated “driver” that could compete with Aurora’s technology.