The Nation Newspaper

Category: Motoring

  • Hope rising for road safety in Nigeria

    Without doubt, the high rate of road traffic crashes, injuries and death in Nigeria is worrisome, calling for more proactive intervention. Over 80 percent of the causes of road accidents were attributed to the human factor largely constituted by Drivers and Riders. Unfortunately, over 80 percent of the drivers, riders and other holders of Nigeria driver licence did not acquire the requisite knowledge and skills for safe driving.

    The absence of structured and uncompromised theory and practical tests by the driving schools before the issuance of certificate of competence and by the VIOs before recommendation for driver licence issuance made the system porous for the licensing of untrained or half – baked drivers and other forms of racketeering.  Sadly also, there has been no structured training and pre – licence tests for tricycle and motorcycle riders despite the increasing use of tricycles and motorcycles for commercial transportation in all the 36 states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.

    Most of the Driver Licence Applicants were also not subjected to the required Theory and Practical tests by the VIOs while some priviledged Applicants were made to bypass the VIO tests for Driver licence issuance. Hence the disturbingly high rate of road accidents in the country.

    The pleasant developments now is that the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in a more articulated move to provide solution to the spate of racketeering in Driving Schools and the Driver Licence Centre is already working with the Driving School Association to activate the Final Assessment Test in the DSSP Portal. With this done, it will be impossible for any candidate who was not trained and passed the centrally – controlled test in the driving schools to be issued with the certificate of competence needed for the processing of Driver Licence as it currently obtains.

    At the 2018 Annual Conference of VIOs which I attended, the uniform structured pre – licence Test was unanimously agreed upon for immediate implementation nationwide.

    Added to this joy is the joint moves by the FRSC, State Commissioners of Transport/Works, VIOs and allied Government Agencies to commence the administration of Unified Structured pre – Driver Licence Theory Test in through a Public Private Participation arrangement with a professional consultant to ensure the effectiveness and transparency of the test. The Transport Commissioners Summit was convened in the six  geo-political zones and well attended by the Representatives of the Minister of Transportation, Federal Road Safety Commission, State Commissioners of Transport/Works, Vehicle Inspection Officers ( VIOs) and the Driving School Association among other Stakeholders.

    In the same vein, the training, testing and licensing of Tricycle and Motorcycle Riders is also to be incorporated into the scheme thereby positioning Nigeria for greatness in the race for quality driver training, safety on Nigeria roads and improved road safety administration in general.

    Consequent upon the timeliness and sure benefits of the planned activities, I hereby plead that the Stakeholders in the renewed moves must ensure full and unrelented implementation as well as add uncompromised road traffic law enforcement. These actions will boost government revenue and more importantly, drastically reduce the rate of road traffic crashes, injuries and deaths in Nigeria. Once again, I say a big KUDOS to the Federal Road Safety Commission, State Governments and the Federal Capital Territory for these proactive moves.

  • Toyota to start mass production in Turkey

    Japanese car maker Toyota will start mass production of its new Corolla hybrid in Turkey in January.

    “A hybrid car in this segment will be produced in Turkey for the first time,” Mustafa Varank, Turkish technology and industry minister, said during his visit to Toyota’s factory in the northwestern province of Sakarya.

    The country’s foreign trade gap will be reduced as hybrid and electric vehicles become widespread in the country, Varank said.

    “The new model which has 50 per cent less fuel consumption per vehicle would be exported to 100 countries from Turkey,” Varank said.

    The new Corolla – a trademark car of the brand – will be put up for sale in the first quarter of 2019 in Turkey, according to a statement from Toyota Turkey.

    “The new locally-made Corolla will be our brand’s pioneer in the automotive market with cut-throat competition,” Toyota Turkey’s Chief Executive Officer Ali Haydar Bozkurt said.

    The 2019 Corolla Saloon Hybrid will be the model’s 12th generation which made its debut in 1966.

    The company said Toyota Corolla is still the bestselling car worldwide with 46 million units sold since its debut.

    Corolla will be available with two types of engines, 1.8 liter self-charging hybrid and 1.6 liter petrol.

    Toyota Turkey launched its first hybrid vehicle, C-HR, a sport utility vehicle (SUV) in October 2016 in Turkey.

  • Santa Fe, four others go for local road test

    Hyundai Motors Nigeria (HMN) has joined renowned markets in Europe, North America and the Middle East as it premiered the fourth generation Santa Fe mid-size SUV that incorporates Hyundai first AWD–HTRAC, an electronic all-wheel drive system that tracks vehicle speed and road conditions.

    Also incorporating a newly adopted 8-speed automatic transmission with cutting-edge powertrain and maximised fuel economy, the Santa Fe continues Hyundai fluidic design tradition that typifies cascading three-dimensional honeycomb patterned radiator grille and a separated-type composite-light.

    HMN Managing Director Parvir Singh said the arrival of the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), dubbed “the lifetime partner for SUV customers who value balance between work and life,” coincides with Hyundai budding accomplishment as the foremost selling passenger-car brand in Nigeria.

    The SUV alongside Accent, Tucson, Grand Xcent and Creta, were put to road test from Akin Adesola/Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos Headquarters of HMN to its Gbagada office and back to Victoria Island.

    The test drive afforded automobile journalists to have a feel of latest technological advancement introduced in the models.

    Emerging from a makeover in 2017 with a slight front-end adjustment, the fourth generation Santa Fe is still its quintessence of deluxe with a new front-end, reshaped front bumper and new LED fog lights that is standard across the entire line-up.

    The side profile with tough side volume and wheel arches are connected to a stable designed rear bumper to create a progressive SUV image and character line that stretches along the body panel from the headlamp to the rear to add dynamism and strength to its silhouette.

    This is in addition to the new flag-type outside mirrors applied to the outside A-shaped pillar to enhance side/rear visibility and express strong exterior appeal.

    At the rear end is a high-tech lighting image achieved with 3D-type LED rear lamps graphics and a bold proportion that creates a stance full of confidence.

    HMN Head Sales and Marketing Gaurav Vashisht, in his presentation, said the vehicle’s cockpits adopts well-heeled SUV ideals with a shield-shaped control hub flanked by big air vents and undulating dash, dipping low in front of passengers and bubbling up for gauges.

    “Simply put, the dashboard design wraps around the crash pad to express three-dimensional image, which maximise a sense of openness to provide the best visibility while enhancing a sense of luxury by covering a large area with PU leather,” Vashisht said.

    He said the centre stack with large control knobs and audio volume are so intuitively arranged with a larger (7-inch TFT LCD) touchscreen and electroluminescent gauges to add an aura of conviviality.

    Also worthy of note is the windshield-type head-up display, which was applied for the first time to provide safety and convenience by minimising movement of eyes during driving by projecting main vehicle information on the front windshield, Mr. Vashisht said.

    The Santa Fe’s seat design optimisation with an 8-way adjustment function astonishingly uses electric tilting type cushion to enhance thigh support, making driving a cinch for tall drivers.

    “At the mere touch of a button, the first and second row seats allow easy access with improved third row spaciousness that enhances the capacity of the rear area of second row, which has been increased by 40-liter from 585liter to 625liter to maximise the convenience of luggage loading,” he said.

  • Suggestions for operational efficiency of Police and FRSC officers on the road (2)

    These Officers outside the dedicated check points should not be empowered to stop any vehicle. Members of the public should be regularly informed about the operation of this system and the powers and limits of the officers at the dedicated check points and those at different flash points.

    • Adequate modern technology should be deployed to monitor motorists and communicate their offences to the checkpoints before they get there.

    Envisaged benefits:

    • It will reduce the current excesses of the FRSC and Police Officers who are presently drunk with bribery and other forms of dangerous compromise.
    • It will effectively boost road safety and driver education.
    • It will boost security through the joint-task force operations at the dedicated check points. The Nigeria Police Officers and NDLEA Operatives do not need to have check points outside these dedicated check points any more. What they and FRSC need to do outside the dedicated check points is to have monitoring Officers at flash points to monitor motorists and feed the dedicated check points with relevant information for the apprehension of offenders or suspected motorists. They themselves (the monitoring Officers will not have any right to stop any vehicle).
    • It will make the proposed 24 hours operation of FRSC Officers on the road possible and secured.
    • The intentional refusal of drivers to stop for FRSC officers which has led to the death of several FRSC and Police Officers will stop.
    • It will enhance compliance to the traffic regulations by all classes of drivers.
    • It will reduce the conflict of functions and undue pressure on motorists by the FRSC and Police Officers as they will be jointly present at every designated point.
    • It will reduce over-speeding because of the shortness of the intervals between the dedicated checkpoints.
    • It will curtail the excesses of the drivers of articulated vehicles and some privileged individuals who are mostly guilty of driving without valid driver licence.
    • It will reduce the rate of road traffic crashes, injuries and deaths.
    • It will further reduce the rate of armed robbery and kidnapping on the highways both in the day and night.
    • It will reduce accidents caused by fatigued and runk drivers in the day and night.

    I hereby encourage the Federal Government and the relevant agencies to critically and objectively look at these suggestions for implementation.

  • NGO seeks mechanic villages in Osun

    A Non-Governmental Organisation (ngo), the Automobiles and Road Safety Initiative (ARSI), has called on the Osun State government to establish mechanic villages in major cities of the state.

    Speaking at the investiture of grand patrons, patrons and awards of national and state auto safety ambassadors for the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, ARSI President Samuel Oriowo, said growing volume of work for automobile technicians in the state require a conducive environment for repairs.

    He said it has become necessary that the state government establish settlements that will allow convergence of different key technicians, who are relevant to carry out repair works on damaged vehicles.

    Oriowo, who noted that there are ample benefits in the establishment of such mechanic villages for vehicle owners, transporters, technicians and the government, said road safety project is a business for everyone.

    He said: “It has been established that non adherence by vehicle repair technicians to vehicle manufacturers’ specification and instruction while carrying out repairs on faulty vehicles had led to accidents for which drivers are blamed.

    “The main objective of this gathering is to find means of nipping such incidents in the bud, more so that most vehicles coming into Nigeria are designed with computer chips, requiring experts’ attention to fix its faults whenever it breaks down.

    “So, we are calling on NATA members in Osun State to desist from using any engine oil to service vehicles for your customers. Substandard engine oil does nothing better than damage the car engine.”

    While commending the outgoing Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his “outstanding achievements in many sectors of the economy, Oriowo, who congratulated the governor-elect, Gboyega Oyetola, challenged him to ensure that Osun will continue to be a model to states of the federation.

  • Mercedes-Benz enters last quarter with sales record

    Mercedes-Benz  started the fourth quarter with a new record in unit sales.

    Worldwide, the brand delivered 190,021 vehicles, surpassing the previous best October unit sales from last year by 3.9 per cent.

    In the first 10 months of the year, deliveries of 1,905,108 units by Mercedes-Benz were slightly above the high prior-year level (+0.3 per cent).

    As planned, progress was made last month with worldwide vehicle availability in order to meet the ongoing high demand for the cars with the star.

    However, unit sales continued to be affected by model changes. In the past month, the brand has maintained its market leadership in the premium segment in the Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Canada and the USA markets.

    “Thanks to the worldwide intensive efforts of the entire Mercedes-Benz cars team, we started the fourth quarter with a new sales record. We will continue to drive this positive development forward together until the end of the year. Our goal is clear: We want to delight our customers with their desired cars as quickly as possible,” said Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales.

    “The new C-Class Coupé and Cabriolet are already having an impact: More than 12,500 dream cars delivered worldwide ensured a golden October for the Coupés, Cabriolets and Roadsters from Mercedes-Benz. In Germany alone, unit sales of those models posted a substantial increase of more than 25 per cent,” Seeger said.

  • Kia unveils ProCeed, others in Paris

    Kia Motors last week unveiled the new Kia ProCeed at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. The shooting brake made its debut alongside the new high-performance Ceed GT and ProCeed GT, as well as the Ceed GT Line. The Kia e-Niro electric crossover also premiered at the European show.

    According to Kia Motors Europe Chief Operating Officer, Emilio Herrera, the new cars underlined the level of ambition and design passion that defined Kia’s cars.

    The ProCeed, Herrara said, offers buyers stunning and emotional design, the Ceed GT provides maximum driver engagement, and the e-Niro helps to break down the barriers to electric car ownership, making it easy, fun and reliable.

    All four models unveiled by Kia in Paris will be sold with the company’s unique seven-year, 150,000 km warranty as standard. Kia’s warranty also covers the lithium-ion polymer battery pack in the e-Niro.

    The ProCeed merged stunning coupé-inspired lines with tourer versatility. Shown publicly for the first time in Paris, the new Kia ProCeed merged stunning design with the space and versatility of a tourer in a five-door shooting brake body. The ProCeed will go on sale exclusively to European drivers at the beginning of next year.

    Carrying the name over from the second-generation Kia pro_cee’d three-door coupé, the new ProCeed has been designed, developed and engineered in Europe. A product of Kia’s European design, product development and R&D teams in Frankfurt, Germany, the ProCeed will be manufactured at the brand’s Žilina production facility in Slovakia. It will be built alongside the Kia Ceed and Ceed Sportswagon, first introduced earlier this year.

    The Ceed GT majors on performance and accomplished ride and handling. It is more accomplished and fun-to-drive than ever.

    The original Cee’d GT and Pro_Cee’d GT were launched in 2013, as the first ever performance hatchbacks from a Korean brand. The new Ceed GT picked up where its predecessors left off, with an assured, engaging drive and a powerful 1.6-litre T-GDi (turbo-charged gasoline direct injection) engine, as well as a comprehensive range of comfort, safety and convenience technologies.

    The Ceed GT’s sporty exterior design differentiates it visually from other models in the Ceed range. Where the design of the conventional Ceed is characterised by taut creases and curvaceous sheet metal, the GT variant presents a more athletic proposition, with new front and rear bumpers, sills and a series of red highlights around the exterior.

    The GT variant was built around the same ergonomic cabin architecture as other models in the Ceed line-up. Surfaces are finished in high-quality soft-touch materials and metallic trim, while the dashboard angled towards the driver, making it easier to use on the move. At the centre of the dashboard is Kia’s ‘floating’ touchscreen infotainment system – 7.0- or 8.0-inches wide – with audio and heating and ventilation controls situated below.

    For the first time in a performance hatchback from Kia, the new Ceed GT will be available with an optional seven-speed double-clutch transmission, in addition to the standard six-speed manual gearbox.

    Kia e-Niro combines driving enjoyment, eye-catching design, crossover utility and a zero-emissions powertrain – to create one of the most capable electric vehicles on-sale worldwide. It has been designed to break down barriers to electric car ownership, offering long-distance driving range, more intelligent packaging, and greater practicality than many other electric vehicles.

    The e-Niro is the first fully electric crossover utility vehicle produced by Kia, providing a zero-emissions driving range of up to 485 kilometres (301 miles) on a single charge of its 64 kWh long-range battery pack. The long-range battery is also capable of travelling up to 615 kilometres (382 miles) in the city – further than many gasoline vehicles. The e-Niro is also available with a 39.2 kWh battery, which offers a driving range of up to 312 kilometres (193 miles) on a single charge.

    Inside the Kia e-Niro, the cabin combines a  modern design with generous space and technologies that complement its zero-emissions powertrain. Buyers will also benefit from a range of dedicated electric vehicle in-car technologies to maximise range and efficiency, as well as new safety features, and differentiated exterior and interior design.

  • Suggestions for operational efficiency of Police and Frsc officers on the road

    Without any iota of doubt, the proliferation of unauthorised Check points or stop and check by Officers of the Nigeria Police, Federal Highway Patrol and the  Federal Road Safety Commission(FRSC) as well the level of bribery and corruption among some of the officers on the roads is becoming more alarming despite the disciplinary actions being meted to those arrested. The rate at which drivers disobey and even kill officers of these agencies is disheartening. I have observed overtime that these worrisome act are either non – existent or very low at military check points.

    As an antidote to this widespread illegal check points, disobedience and killings by drivers, compromise and corruption by some officers of these agencies, which I have personally witnessed on many occasions, I hereby suggest the following:

    • The use of telephone and whatsapp hotlines: These should be coordinated by appointed officers in the offices of the agencies. The hotlines should be regularly published in the national newspapers and announced in the electronic media. Members of the public are to call and report the acts of corruption by the officers on the roads for investigation and appropriate sanctions.

    There should also be another line for whatsApp messages where members of the public can send videos and pictures of bribery and other acts of compromise by the officers of the agencies. The more active these telephone and whatsApp lines are, the more the information that will be made available for your investigation and actions. It will also put the operation officers on the roads on their toes, not knowing who is reporting their activities among the drivers, Passengers and Owners.

    • The use of dedicated check–points: The current practice where Police and FRSC officers are permitted to position themselves anywhere, and anytime to stop vehicles for checking should be discontinued and exchanged for Dedicated Check Points (DCP). Under this proposed system, the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police and FRSC should establish special points on the highways which will have the following facilities:
    • Offices.
    • Large parking lots for the parking of arrested vehicles.
    • Mobile Court facility for the trial of apprehended traffic offenders.
    • Joint Task Force (FRSC, ARMY, NDLEA and Police Officers) offices.
    • Detention Rooms (like police cell but more decent than the usual police cells).
    • Adequate sophisticated Security Equipment and Weapons at each dedicated check point.
    • Canteen for food and drinks.
    • Rest Bay (Relaxation rooms for fatigued drivers, suspected drunk drivers and others).
    • Breathalyser and other testing/checking equipment.
    • A mini conference hall for capacity building training for erring Drivers before being sent to accredited Driving Schools for correctional training.
    • Mechanic and vulcanizing workshop.

     

    Modus operandi

    • It is only at the dedicated check points that drivers should be stopped for checking and prosecution when necessary.
    • The dedicated checkpoints should be at intervals of about 50km from each other or a little more.
    • FRSC can have their officers at other locations outside the dedicated check points but these officers are only to monitor the traffic and the activities of motorists on the road to enable them feed the dedicated check points with relevant information about the motorists before the drivers get to the dedicated check points for their investigation and prosecution.

     

    • To be continued next week

  • Coscharis launches EcoSport at Abuja Motor Fair

    Coscharis Motors, exclusive distributor for Ford in Nigeria,has unveiled the new EcoSport compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) at the Abuja International Motor Fair.

    Its Marketing and Corporate Communications General Manager, Abiona Babarinde, said the vehicle comes with more advanced features.

    “The EcoSport is a popular model in Nigeria. It offers customers even more style, comfort, capability, and choice – blending rugged SUV functionality with city car practicality – making it more appealing and competitive than ever,” he said.

    The EcoSport is powered by Ford’s proven range of 1.5-litre engines, linked to front-wheel drive. The 1.5 TiVCT petrol unit produces 90kW (123PS) of power matched to a peak torque output of 151Nm. It is available with a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission on the EcoSport Ambiente, or in automatic guise on the Trend and Titanium.

    The new EcoSport features bold, dynamic Ford SUV styling. A sculpted bonnet with a central bulge delivers a cleaner front-end appearance. Angular fog light housings complete a front three-quarter profile that was inspired by the straps of a rucksack and designed to reflect an adventurous character.

    EcoSport’s rear bumper and tail light designs also are revised to deliver a cleaner, more sculpted appearance. Customers can choose from seven bold exterior colours , including Lightning Blue and Race Red.

    The vehicle delivers a new level of interior refinement with easier-to-use controls and soft-touch materials, and a new centre console ergonomically designed for easy operation, featuring fewer buttons. New seats designs are optimised for greater front and rear occupant comfort, and deliver a more upscale feel, including partial leather on the Titanium model.

    The interior features a host of smart stowage solutions, including an underseat storage drawer located beneath the front passenger seat, along with a spacious rear luggage compartment with integrated cargo tie-down hooks.

    The EcoSport builds on the commanding SUV driving position and rewarding Ford driving dynamics to deliver an even easier and more enjoyable driving experience using advanced technologies.

    Ford’s sophisticated SYNC®3 communications and entertainment system is available on the new EcoSport. SYNC®3 is supported by the new 8-inch colour touchscreen, which can be operated with pinch and swipe gestures. On the Trend model, SYNC®3 uses a 6.5-inch colour touchscreen.

    Driver assistance and safety technologies common across all three specification levels comprise ABS brakes with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The Trend and Titanium additionally gain Hill Launch Assist (HLA) which enables smooth pull-offs on steep inclines and declines.

  • Auto Awards gets Dec 13 date

    The annual Nigerian Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Awards has been fixed for December 13 at Eko Hotel, Lagos.

    Stakeholders in the automobile that have made exceptional contributions to the country’s auto industry within the year are usually rewarded at the event.

    According to the organisers, one of the high points of this year’s ceremony will be in the Car-of-The-Year (COTY) award category.

    Other segments 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 Auto brands and models that have achieved extraordinary success in the last one year will be recognised at the event just like the previous events.

    The event provides opportunity for organisations to gain competitive advantage by having their projects, initiatives, contributions, products and services recognised.

    He said the exercise provides the ultimate platform for improving brand awareness, loyalty.

    The organisers said the annual awards remains the only authentic industry event in the country because of the active participation of all the motoring journalists drawn from the print, electronic and online media in the voting process.