The Nation Newspaper

Category: Motoring

  • Infinity launches ‘Value Drive’

    Infinity Group is offering its customers, a chance to experience quality automotive aftermarket products and win gifts nationwide.

    The offer is part of the company’s efforts to appreciate customers’ patronage yearly.

    Tagged: ‘Value Drive 2018,’ the offer started on Saturday and would run till the end of the month.

    Customers will get gifts on buying products from Infinity sales and service outlets, and Infinity Express stores. The gifts are not limited to an Inverter and Battery, T-shirts, Motul Lubricants, Brake Fluid, Infinity coolant, and battery terminals.

    At a briefing in Lagos, Infinity Tyres Director Vineet Mathur reiterated the company’s commitment to the satisfaction of customers.

    The promotion, he said, has become a tradition for the company, urging Nigerians to avail themselves benefits of ‘Infinity Value Drive 2018’.

    Head of Infinity Tyres Limited, Victoria Island Branch, Babatunde Ajayi, described the offer as a unique platform through which the company shows appreciation to its loyal customers.

    He said customers’ trust in quality products and superior service quality of the Group has been the singular reason for the success and consistent growth of Infinity Tyres.

    He further said the Nigerian market, though competitive, is highly inclined towards companies that deliver products and services of highest quality.

    Ajayi’s lkeja Branch counterpart, Mrs. Moyo Ekiran, appreciated customers for their patronage over the years, saying the management of Infinity Tyres is aware that many Nigerians travel during the festive season.

    Infinity Tyres Limited is the authorised importer and marketer of premium tyre brands, such as Pirelli, Goodyear, Infinity, Ceat, Eternity, Riken, Battery brands such as Exide, Infinity and Eternity, Global Lubricant Brand, Motul, Genuine Filters from Filtron, Eastman Brand of Renewable Energy Solutions as well as Eternity standby and traction battery range.

  • Antidote to racketeering in driving schools and driver licences

    Without any iota of doubt, the rate of road  crashes and fatalities in Nigeria is  too high to overlook or play  with.

    Having studied the trend of road accidents and the measures taken by the federal and state governments and their regulatory agencies, I can affirm that the cause of the worrisomely high rate of road accidents can be summarised into one word, COMPROMISE.

    It is a universally acclaimed that about 80 percent of road accidents are attributed to human factors (drivers, policy makers, traffic law enforcement agencies, employers of drivers and driving schools, among other stakeholders); about 10 percent are attributed to the mechanical factors (vehicle), while about 10 percent are assigned to the environmental factor, which include the road and road furniture.

    With selfless and uncompromised commitment by the state governments, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and driving schools, the rate of road traffic crashes can be reduced significantly.

    Research have repeatedly revealed a high level of compromise in the following areas:

     

    Driving schools

    Driving schools are statutorily mandated to train learner drivers and re-train experienced drivers. Unfortunately, virtually all the driving schools in Nigeria have grossly compromised their driver training functions by issuing certificates of competence to learner drivers for the processing of driver licence without rendering the required training and assessment tests. The failure of driving school to provide quality driver education is a major cause of road accidents.

     

    Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs)

    The VIOs are statutorily required to administer theory and practical tests on the trainees turned out by the driving schools.

    Unfolding events, however, revealed that a disturbingly large number of driver licence are being passed by the VIOs for the issuance of driver licence without undergoing the requisite theory and practical tests while some of the applicants were made to skip the VIO desks by officers of the FRSC and the state Board of Internal Revenue. This level of compromise by officers who are to ensure appropriate checks and balances on the compromise by driving schools ended up further fuelling the licensing of unqualified drivers as well as further heightening the rate of road accidents in Nigeria.

     

    Traffic law enforcement agents

    The high rate of corruption on the part of some of the traffic law enforcement officers has been fuelling the breach of road traffic regulations with impunity and by extension, the rate of road traffic crashes, injuries and death on Nigerian roads.

    Several driving schools have, at one time of the other, been suspended on the DSSP Portal for up to eight months. Yet, the racketeering by driving schools still continued. Many transfers and other disciplinary actions have been meted by the FRSC and various tate governments against their erring officers. Yet, their compromise still continued in various dimensions.

  • Ford begins production of Ranger engine

    The Ford Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, has begun production of the new-generation diesel engines that are set to power the new Ford Ranger Raptor and selected Ranger and Everest models scheduled for launch next year.

    Assembled on an all-new high-tech assembly line, the start of production for the new engine programme marks an important milestone for the Port Elizabeth facility, which opened in 1964 and has produced over 3.4-million engines to date.

    “With the launch of the new diesel engines, the Struandale Engine Plant embarks on a historic new journey, as it almost doubles our combined installed capacity to 250,000 units for our two engine programmes,” Plant Manager of the Struandale Engine Plant John Cameron said.

    The plant’s new assembly line has an installed capacity to produce up to 120,000 engines per year. The new engine programme starts off with low-volume production for the remainder of this year, then begins ramping up from early 2019.

    The new assembly line will produce a total of eight derivatives of the new engines, including the advanced 157kW/500Nm Bi-Turbo unit. All of these engines will be supplied to Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria for installation in selected new Ford Ranger and Everest models and, of course, the highly anticipated Ford Ranger Raptor. Ford’s local vehicle production supports domestic sales along with 148 export markets globally.

    Reinforcing its high-tech status, the new state-of-the-art engine assembly line incorporates a cylinder head sub-assembly line that uses four fully automated robots to ensure the precise fitment of components, as well as high-pressure leak testing.

    There are four more robotic stations on the main assembly line that apply the special room temperature vulcanising (RTV) silicone gaskets, with each operation monitored by integrated camera inspection systems that guarantee the highest levels of precision and quality control.

    Each of the 110 assembly stations along the 312-metre line incorporates extensive error-proofing and traceability, and every engine is subjected to an in-depth cold test at the end of the assembly line to verify operating parameters and pressures of all systems, without physically starting the engine.

    This is backed up by a hot test cell to test engine parameters when running, as well as a fully equipped dynamometer that conducts a wide range of performance and durability tests on selected engines at predetermined intervals.

    Continuing alongside the new programme, the existing Duratorq TDCi engine programme has seen annual installed capacity increase from 75,000 units in 2011 to a maximum capacity of up to 130 000 units from the end of 2018. This engine platform will continue to be offered in the range of vehicles produced in Silverton, as well as exported to global customers.

  • Suzuki Vitara SUV gets upgraded

    SUZUKI are updating their Vitara Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) line-up with new engines, a new-look interior, more equipment and some subtle changes to the design.

    Entry level prices are up by £1000 to £16,999 and the range now tops out at £25,649 – a rise of some £2000 over the current car.

    The Japanese marque’s nine-model Vitara range now starts with a 1.0-litre Boosterjet petrol engine modelthat uses the same three-cylinder unit as in the Suzuki Swift, the Baleno and the SX4 S-Cross crossover.

    Developing 111PS, the 1.0-litre Vitara has a 0-62mph time of 11.5 seconds and a maximum speed of 111mph – virtually identical to the current car with a 1.6-litre engine. The 1.0-litre model will be joined by 1.4-litre Boosterjet versions with 140PS on tap and capable of 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds with a top speed of 124mph.

    Previously available in the Vitara S model, the bigger four-cylinder engine is now coming on stream in all trim levels other than the basic SZ4 grade and will cost from £19,999 in SZ-T trim.

    Standard equipment for all Vitara models now includes seven airbags, alloy wheels, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control with speed limiter, auto air conditioning and front and rear electric windows.

    Mid-range SZ-T trim adds new design 17in silver painted alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, white stitching for seat trim fabric and a smartphone link audio and navigation system.

    The top-range SZ5 versions have LED headlights, polished alloy wheels, suede seat fabric, keyless entry, traffic sign recognition, blind spot monitor, adaptive cruise control, dual sensor brake support and a panoramic sunroof.

    The upgraded Suzuki Vitara (Image: Suzuki) Suzuki’s Allgrip all-wheel-drive system is being offered with the 1.0-litre engine in SZ-T specification costing from £20,799 and with the 1.4 block in SZ5 trim, priced from £24,299 for a six-speed manual model or £25,649 for a six-speed auto.

  • Dangers of inadequate attention to vehicle standards

    Mechanical Factor ( Vehicles) is one of the major causes of Road Traffic Crashes, Injuries and Deaths. Sadly in Nigeria, there are many vehicles that grossly fell short of road worthiness operating on Nigeria road on both commercial and private bases. Most of them though not road worthy do carry certificates of road worthiness. The question are, who certified them road worthy and how did they get the documents?

    There are many vehicles today plying Nigeria roads without complete or functional head lamp, turn indicators (pointers), brake lights, reverse lights and other essential lights.

    Some vehicles move about without or with malfunctioning pedal and hand brakes, windshield wipers while some operate with detergents in place of brake fluids. Some vehicles move on the roads without, with only one, with broken or with improperly set mirrors.

    In the course of my research, I have seen many commercial and even private – commercial vehicles dangerously re-constructed with additional seats, bigger fuel tanks, higher suspension system, and bigger wheels or reams among other adjustments contrary to manufacturers’ specifications. I have seen many Volvo cars converted to pick up vans. The report on the recent Otedola bridge tanker accident which claimed many lives, vehicles and other valuable properties attributed to unsafe vehicle conversion is a quick case study.

    Research has shown many buses designed for seven passengers converted to carry 14 Passengers. There are other cases of overloading of human and material loads without considering the effects of the laws gravity, kinetic energy, centrifugal force , tyres, braking and stopping distance ( Vehicle Dynamics) that operate on vehicles when in motion.

    Many vehicles are still brought into Nigeria and registered with red coloured traffic indicators ( pointers). This is against the traffic regulations. The safe and indisputable colour for pointers and hazard light is yellow, not red. The universally approved colour for Brake light is red. Allowing vehicles with red pointers into the country and registering them for driving on Nigeria roads amounts to promoting traffic confusion and more accidents.

    I hereby implore the Nigeria Customs, FRSC, VIOs and other relevant agencies and organisations to be more committed and be truly seen to be more committed to the promotion of standard and road worthy vehicles on Nigeria roads without fear, favour, sentiments or discrimination. Safety should always be seen as uppermost.

  • Nissan may get chairman in Dec

    Nissan Motor Corporation may nominate a chairman within a month or two, before its next board meeting slated for around December 20, a source said, after the automaker ousted Carlos Ghosn as chairman.

    The nomination will be done by the Japanese automaker’s newly created advisory committee that includes the company’s three independent directors.

    The new chairman would hold the post “at least” until Nissan’s next shareholder meeting. No decision on whether to hold an extraordinary shareholder meeting has been made, the source added. The next regular meeting is expected in June 2019.

    Another special committee led by the independent directors to discuss improving governance based on third-party advice will then likely propose setting up a nomination committee to select a permanent chairman, said the source, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter. “It’s a two stage process,” the source said.

    “First we have to decide on a temporary chairman as soon as possible.” Nissan was not immediately available for comment on Friday, a public holiday in Japan. Nissan’s board voted unanimously to oust Ghosn, who was arrested on Monday over allegations of financial misconduct including under-reporting of his remuneration and personal use of company assets.

  • Indus Motor holds used car bazaar

    Indus Motor Company (IMC) has held Toyota Sure Certified Used Car Bazaar (TSURE) for customers to buy, sell and exchange vehicles at Packages Mall, Lahore.

    IMC CEO Ali Asghar Jamali said: “This will provide an opportunity for buyers to purchase quality used cars at good prices. Furthermore, customers can buy, sell and exchange their current vehicle (any make or model) with any used certified or new Toyota vehicle with complete convenience and peace of mind.”

    Approximately 100 Toyota used cars of different models and variants would be available for sale. All vehicles on display were certified by Toyota experts, with up to 15,000km or one year OEM warranty, the statement added.

  • FRSC, NADDC chiefs, others for auto awards

    Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Corps Marshall Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, Nigerian National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) Director General Jelani Aliyu and other top officials in the automotive industry will on December 13 storm Eko Hotels in Victoria Island, Lagos for this year’s Nigerian Auto Journalists Association Awards (NAJA).

    The event yearly rewards excellence in the industry.

    Oyeyemi and Aliyu are expected to deliver keynote addresses.

    Chairman Organising Committee Moses Ebosele said the event will also provide avenue for critical stakeholders in the sector to rub minds on the way forward.

    While Oyeyemi is expected to provide background information and statistics on the activities of the FRSC in maintaining sanity on the roads, Aliyu as head of government agency saddle with the responsibility of supervising the auto industry, will be giving insights on the Nigeria automobile industry.

    “The NAJA Awards over the years has been recognised as the authentic bastion when it comes to recognising the best players in the automotive industry. This year’s edition will not be less as our professionals are already compiling votes in all categories of the awards,” he said.

    The Auto Awards is the local version of the traditional global automotive industry awards conducted by motoring journalists in different countries and regional markets of the world to recognise the achievements of industry operators in different categories and across segments and vehicle categories.

    Car-of-The-Year (COTY), which is the high points of the event, is a very competitive segment designed to honour outstanding automobile model of the year under review.

    Other categories of awards are Luxury Car of the Year, Heavy Duty Truck of The Year, Auto Plant of the Year, CEO Of The Year, Auto Personality Of The Year and CSR Company Of The Year, Pick-up of the Year, Showroom of the Year and many others.

  • Volkswagen to spend $50b on electric car, others

    German automaker Volkswagen (VW) has said  it will spend $50 billion refocusing the company on the making of electric cars, autonomous vehicles and new mobility services.

    The Wolfsburg-based manufacturer plans to have some of the new products in the market by 2023.

    Its Chief Executive Officer Herbert Diess described the investment as an “electric offensive,” which  includes an imminent partnership with United States (US) carmaker Ford Motor.

    “German automaker plans to produce electric cars, dive into autonomous driving and provide new mobility services by 2023,” he said.

    Both companies are fine-tuning details on a deal to jointly make a range of light commercial vehicles, and Dess hopes the agreement will be ready before the end of the year.

    Collaboration between the two firms is viewed as a path to significant savings on research and development while at the same time delivering big revenue.

    Ford makes about 40 per cent of all full-size pickups sold in the US, while VW sells almost 15 per cent of the vehicles purchased in China, the world’s largest auto market.

    “Volkswagen must become more efficient, more productive and more profitable in order to finance the high expenditure in the future and in order to stay competitive,” Diess said during a press conference.

    He noted that Volkswagen was also “seriously considering involvement in battery production.”

    Volkswagen has decided to convert its existing plants in Emden and Hanover to “e-locations”. Together with Zwickau, they will become Europe’s largest network for the production of e-vehicles.

    In addition, Volkswagen’s current range of six battery-driven electric models will be expanded by 2025 to encompass more than 60 models, and the share of pure e-cars in the model portfolio will then amount to around one-third.

    As early as 2020, Volkswagen will launch the first model based on the new modular electric toolkit (MEB). That vehicle, the ID, will be the start of a new era in e-mobility. VW said the e-car will be available for the price of today’s Golf Diesel, which will help Volkswagen enable mass-produced e-mobility.

  • ‘Buy 10 Ford Rangers, get one free’

    Any individual and organisation who buy 10 Ford Rangers will get one Ford Focus for free instantly, Coscharis Motors has said.

    Also the company is offering one-and-a-half price for two BMW 2 series.

    According to Coscharis Group Managing Director Josiah Samuel, the promo will close by end of the year.

    “The offers  with the theme: ‘’Coscharis Unbeatable Offers’’ come in different categories. For the BMW brand, the offer is simply for you to buy one BMW X6 and get 1 MG car for free. Also buy one BMW 2 series and get second at half price. While for the Ford brand, which is targeted at fleet buyers of the Ford Ranger, that is individuals and organisations who buy 10 Ford Rangers get one Ford Focus for free instantly,” he said.

    Samuel mentioned that it’s a payback time to the loyal customers of the two brands who had believed in these brands over the years and new converts by way of sustaining the company’s policy of value for money.

    “We understand the harsh economic reality but have decided to support our ever loyal corporate customers and individual customers cushion this reality even at minimising our bottom-line. These exciting offers are not to only delight our existing BMW and Ford brand enthusiasts alone but to equally accommodate those that have not used any of the brands before courtesy of these juicy offers to end the year by way of exploring this opportunity to own brand new vehicles from any of the brands on offer,” he said.

    Although these mouth-watering offers are expected to end by the end of this year, offers are only valid while stock lasts and with guaranteed requisite warranty periods says Abiona Babarinde, General Manager Marketing and Corporate Communication for Coscharis Group.

    “We also have special favourable pricing for other brands and models in the spirit of Christmas,” Babarinde said.