A new executive has been elected for the Automobile and Allied Sectoral Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). The new executive has a mandate to represent the interests of the sector’s members across the whole value chain of automobile and allied businesses in the country.
They are General Manager, Mitsubishi Corporation Nigeria Bambo Adebowale as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer CFAO-Yamaha Motor Nigeria Limited Olivier Levigne and General Manager, C & I Leasing Group Maureen Ogbonna as Vice Chairmen.
The new executive has pledged its commitment to work with all stakeholders in the industry and to promote the interests of members.
They canvassed strong and sustainable business environment and government policy that supports the continued development of the sector – and Nigeria’s economic growth.
Category: Motoring
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LCCI auto sector group gets exco
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Drive and speed
As the World marks the 4th United Nations GLOBAL ROAD SAFETY WEEK from May 8 to 14 with the theme: Speed Management, I decided to write this article to deeply analyse what over-speeding is and the likely consequences of over-speeding. I used our common language in Nigeria (over-speeding) to express the combination of excessive speed(moving beyond the stipulated speed limit) and unsafe speed(moving beyond what the condition of the road, weather or traffic permits).
Driving is the most complex activity globally which involves the near simultaneous use of several organs of the body (Eyes, Nose, Ears, Neck, Brain, Hands and Legs) in a continuously changing environment, to gather, and interpret information for decision making to ensure effective and safe vehicle control.
What is over-speeding ?
Over-Speeding/Unsafe, inappropriate or excessive speed is a speed beyond what is considered to be normal, ideal or safe for a road or road environment. It also means a speed above the speed limit specified for various classes of vehicles or road environment.
Examples of over-speeding
•Driving above the specified speed limit for your class of vehicle (Car, Bus, Trucks, etc).
•Driving above the speed limit displayed at specific locations on the road (through appropriate traffic signs).
•Speeding beyond the rate which the condition of your vehicle can cope with even though the speed is below the specified speed limit.
•Driving faster than what your knowledge, skills, age or vision can carry.
•Driving faster than the rate considered safe for the road environment (speeding at bus stops, market area, school environment, road bends, roundabout, junction or intersections, on the bridge, residential area, on road bumps, near pedestrian or zebra crossing points, and in bad weather among others).
•Driving too fast in heavy traffic.
•Driving too fast on wet or slippery roads.
Statistics on speed
Over-speeding is one of the leading causes of death. It has been “identified as a key risk factor in road traffic injuries, influencing both the risk of a road crash as well as the severity of the injuries that result from crashes”.
According to the World Health Organisation, “Over-speeding is responsible for about 50 percent of the causes of road accidents and deaths in the developing countries like Nigeria.
The higher the speed of a vehicle, the shorter the time a driver has to stop and avoid a crash.A car traveling at 50km/h will typically require 13 meters in which to stop, while a car traveling at 40km/h will stop in less than 8.5 meters (The higher the speed, the longer the stopping distance and time required to stop).
An increase in average speed of 1km/h typically results in 3 percent higher risk of a crash involving injury, with a 4-5 percent increase for crashes that result in fatalities.
Speed also contributes to the severity of the impact when a collision does occur. For car Occupants in a crash with an impact speed of 80km/h, the likelihood of death is 20 times what it would have been at an impact speed of 30km/h”, etc.EFFECTS OF OVER-SPEEDING
1. It reduces your visual acuity when driving.
2. It reduces your hazard perception ability (reduces the timeliness or promptness of your information gathering, interpretation and application needed for effective and safe vehicle control).
3. It reduces your decision-making time.
4. It increases the stopping distance of the vehicle. Also, the more the weight of the vehicle the longer the stopping distance. It increases the stopping time.
5. It makes vehicle control more difficult.
6. It increases the rate of smoke emission from the exhaust of the vehicle.
7. It increases fuel or gas consumption.
8. It wears down the vehicle engine at a faster rate.
9. It increases the heat in tyres thereby increasing the risk of tyre blowout particularly if under-inflated.
10. It increases the rate of vehicle roll-over at bends according to the law of centrifugal force.
11. It increases the rate of wearing of tyre treads particularly if over-inflated.
12. It increases the rate of vehicle wear and tear especially on bad road surface.
13. It increases the kinetic energy (force) in the vehicle.
14. It increases the impacts of accidents on the vehicle and occupants.
15. It increases the rate of accidents during the day and at higher rate in the night.
16. It takes a huge toll on the economy, insurance companies and others.
17. It increases the rate of hydroplaning on water-logged roads.
18. It fuels loss of control for vehicles that moves on the edge of roads.
19. It increases the possibility of musculoskeletal disorder for drivers and occupants through vibration especially on rough or uneven roads.
20. It makes vehicle control much more difficult in times of emergency (tyre blowout, brake failure, etc).
CAUTION
Over-speeding is as dangerous as drunk or drugged driving. Always drive at a safe speed by adjusting your speed according to the condition of the road, vehicle, traffic and road environment among other factors.
OVER-SPEEDING IS DANGEROUS AND KILLS !
WATCH YOUR SPEED.
SPEED THRILLS BUT KILLS
KILL SPEED BEFORE IT KILLS YOU!
SAVE LIVES: #SLOW DOWN. -
Dangote targets 10,000 vehicles with new plant
Dangote Sinotruck West Africa Limited has rolled out its first set of locally assembled trucks.
The new entry into the automobile industry began an eight-hour shift that would see it assembling between four and five trucks per day at its Ikeja, Lagos-based plant.
It is a joint venture between Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote and China’s heavy duty truck group, Sinotruck, with Dangote having 65 per cent share leaving the remaining 35 per cent for the Chinese firm.
According to Reuters, Dangote Group Executive Director Edwin Devakumar said the 100 million dollars plant would assemble cars soon.
Conducting automobile journalists round the assembly plant on Oba Akran Way, Ikeja, the Group General Manager, Projects, Mr. Hikmat Thapa, said it was the first phase of the project.
He said the second phase would begin in June with two shifts per day and hoped to do 24-hour daily operation moving from Semi-Knocked Down components to Completely Knocked Down (parts) assembly.
“As soon as we move on to 24-hour daily operation, we will churn out between 20 and 30 trucks per day. We are starting with SKD and now waiting for the CKD parts coming at the end of the month,” he said.
Thapa said the plant, with installed capacity to assemble 10,000 trucks annually, will take care of local demand as well as produce for export to some West African countries.
He said it is the company’s plan to produce the cabin needed by the locally assembled vehicles, which would signal the inclusion of local content in the truck production venture.
The company said, in a statement, that it would assemble and produce full range of commercial vehicles covering heavy duty truck, medium truck, light truck and other semi-trailers, which would create 3,000 jobs for Nigerians.
“It will also provide new employment opportunities, improve local automobile technology, equipment and technology level, promote the economic development in Nigeria,” it added.
Giving a background of the technical partner, it stated, “Sinotruk (Hong Kong) Limited, which was established in 1960, has the largest production and export base for heavy-duty truck in China.” -
Kia Motors to build manufacturing plant in India
Kia Motors has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the State Government of Andhra Pradesh, India to build a new manufacturing facility in Anantapur District.
The MoU was signed last week in the city of Vijayawada, a part of Andhra Pradesh Capital Region, attended by executives from Kia Motors and the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Nara Chandrababu Naidu.
Construction of the new manufacturing facility, Kia Motors’ first in India and representing approximately a US$1.1 billion investment will begin in the final quarter of the year.
The manufacturing facility is expected to begin production in the second half of 2019 and produce up to approximately 300,000 units each year.
Kia plans to produce a strategic compact sedan and compact SUV especially for the Indian market at the new plant, which will occupy around 23 million square feet (2.16 km2 / 536 acres) and incorporate facilities for stamping, welding, painting and assembly. The site will also be home to numerous supplier companies’ facilities.
Kia Motors President Han-Woo Park said: “We are delighted to announce that Kia’s newest manufacturing facility will be here in Andhra Pradesh. Our new India plant will enable us to sell cars in the world’s fifth largest market, while providing greater flexibility for our global business. Worldwide demand for Kia cars is growing and this is our latest step towards becoming a leading global car manufacturer.”
The India facility will enable Kia to maintain its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing automobile brands. The new facility in Anantapur will enable the company to start selling its models in India, and benefit from further sustainable sales growth, locally and internationally.
Kia plans to commence local sales of cars produced at the new facility towards the end of 2019, once mass production begins in Anantapur.
India is the fastest growing major new car market and the fifth largest in the world, with more than 3.3 million new cars sold in 2016. Forecasts suggest the country will become the third-largest car market by the end of 2020. -
Ford to invest in Michigan facilities
Ford Motor Co has said it will spend $1.2 billion on three Michigan facilities, including investments related to bringing Ranger and Bronco trucks back to the United States market.
The company will spend $850 million at its Michigan assembly plant in Wayne, to prepare the factory to build the new Ranger at the end of 2018 and the Bronco in 2020.
Also announced was a $150 million investment at Ford’s Romeo engine plant, expanding its capacity to accommodate engines for Rangers and Broncos — a development that will “create or retain” 150 jobs.
Ford said it will also be spending $200 million on a data centre in Michigan.
The Michigan assembly plant currently produces the Focus small car. The next-generation Focus will be assembled at a Ford plant in Hermosillo, Mexico.
The company had originally planned to build a new $1.6 billion plant in Mexico for the Focus, but cancelled the project following criticism by President Trump.
This latest round of investment is in addition to a $700 million investment at the company’s Flat Rock plant to build autonomous and electric vehicles. The money for Flat Rock is coming from funds that had been earmarked for the now-cancelled Mexican plant. -
GAC Motor excites participants at investment forum in China
Participants at the maiden edition of the Nigeria Governors’ Investment Forum in Guangzhou, China were thrilled by the success recorded by Chinese leading automobile firm, GAC Motor.
The forum was meant to foster transnational investments between Nigeria and China.
In attendance were Governors from nine states, which include Alhaji Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari of Zamfara State; Chief Okezie Ikpeazu – Abia and Dr Samuel Ortom – Benue. Other dignitaries are Consul-General of the Nigerian Consulate-General in Guangzhou, Mr. Oloko Shakirudeen Adewale, Vice Mayor of Guangzhou, Mr. Cai Chaolin, President of GAC Group, Mr. Zeng Qinghong, and General Manager of GAC Motor, Mr. Yu Jun.
Participants from the two countries conducted an in-depth discussions and case sharing on the theme of the forum, Sustainable cities and livelihood.
GAC Motor GA8 and GS8 brands, which were designated as the official vehicles for the forum, greatly impressed the delegates with their luxury and comfortable ride experience, original design, exquisite craftsmanship and state-of-the-art technologies.
Speaking at the forum, Chaolin described Nigeria as the largest economy in Africa.
According to him, there is vast potential for cooperation between Nigeria and China.
“The Guangzhou Municipal Government has always attached great importance to all-round cooperation with Nigeria. We believe this forum will be a great opportunity for China and Nigeria to further their long-standing friendship, and construct a new bridge for investment activities between the two nations. We hope that in the future, more and more high-quality Chinese enterprises such as GAC Group will bring better products and services to Nigeria, so as to further strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation,” he said.
Qinghong said: “GAC Group’s private brand GAC Motor has developed stable sales channels in Nigeria and achieved outstanding sales records. GAC Motor’s entry into the local market has brought consumers greater ride experience and higher quality of life. With automobiles as a bridge, GAC Motor has not only benefitted Nigeria with high-quality products and services, but has also brought management expertise and technologies there, thus increasing employment and enabling resource integration, technological innovation and sustainable development.”
He said more than 380,000 GAC Motor vehicles were sold last year, registering an increase of 96 per cent. With a compound annual growth rate of 85 per cent for six consecutive years, it has achieved leapfrog development.
At the forum, the Chinese officials and Nigeria governors studied GA8 and GS8 showcased at the venue. GS8, with its original design of a tough exterior and soft interior, luxurious and cozy inner facilities and rich high-tech equipment, was a particular eye-catcher. Nigerian delegates all expressed their hope to see the introduction of GS8 and more new-energy vehicles to Nigeria. Besides, they also wish to see more GAC Motor investment in Nigeria to drive current cooperation further.
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Ekiti firm unveils new vehicle
A local automobile company, Obasa Specialty Vehicle (OSV), located in Ijero-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has unveiled an all-terrain vehicle named Tekowi.
The vehicle, the company said, was manufactured at its factory in Ijero-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The company was commissioned on December 5, 1980 by the late High Chief Joe Oluware Obasa, a car distributor for Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN). The company was upgraded to manufacture special vehicles for security personnel and civilian uses by his two sons High Chief Johnson Obasa and Victor Obasa.
Speaking at the unveiling, High Chief Obasa said Tekowi was coined from “te oko wi,” an Ekiti local dialect which means sandals or boots that farmers and hunters wear regularly to the bush to stamp on anything. He also said that Tekowi is a combination of ruggedness and luxury.
According to Victor, Tekowi’s unique design features four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, Custom interior tailored to customer specification, Stereo system integrated with latest technology, Diamond floor plate flooring, reinforced steel structure, double utility storage, engine air scoop and name branding option.
He said Tekowi is hand crafted with simple tools and locally sourced materials. The Owa Ajero of Ijero Kingdom Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Adewole, said the development that OSV has brought to the Ijero Ekiti community will go a long way to encourage his people and create a lot ofopportunities.
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Mercedes-Benz Sprinter raedy for local market
Weststar Associates, authorised general distributors of Mercedes-Benz commercial and passenger vehicles in the country has introduced Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
According to the auto giant, the Sprinter is a spacious, refined van that offers mobility in an economical and sustainable manner.
With its low emissions and fuel consumption, the Sprinter provides first class transportation of passengers and cargo safely to any desired destination. It serves as a key instrument for mass transport of people and goods all around the country. It takes the strain off the driver’s daily workload by yielding a load compartment of 17 cubic meters, which accommodates a payload of 2695 kilograms.
Weststar Associates Managing Director Mirko Plath said:“The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter serves as a major contribution to the development of the Nigerian economy as it caters for mass transit of passengers and cargo while upholding the highest standards of safety and quality. Likewise, we remain dedicated to offering exemplary maintenance deals through our strong aftersales network to keep your sprinter running at all times.”
It comes in multiple configurations for either moving cargo, cabin crew or transporting just passengers. The cargo van fits two front seats to an empty cargo bay, while the crew van essentially adds a three-place rear bench seat to the cargo van, raising seating capacity to five. In addition, the Sprinter can be easily converted to a minibus when seats are installed in the cargo area; thus accommodating up to 12 passengers across its four-row seating. The crew and passenger vans are available in two wheelbases and two roof heights (standard and high), with a third roof height (super high) available on the cargo van.
Powered by a 258HP 6 cylinder petrol engine, the Sprinter possesses a gross vehicle weight of 3.2tonnes and runs on a five speed automatic transmission for petrol engines or an optional 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven speed transmission for diesel engines. The available Blue Efficiency package helps to reduce fuel consumption to seven litres per 100 kilometres as its eco start/stop function promptly stops the engine during waiting periods in traffic and restarts it as soon as the driver is ready to move again.
On the inside, the Sprinter combines functionality and comfort for an enjoyable driving experience. Standard equipment include black Tunja fabric seat covers and upholstery, laminated windshield glass, sun visor for driver and passenger, a side shelf, height adjustable head restraints for the driver and co-driver, three-point seat belt for all seats. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter offers a wide variety of optional extras to suit the needs of the driver.
Available options for the interior include leather multifunction steering wheel, eco start/stop function, twin co-driver’s bench seats with table function, roof rails, audio 10 / 15 radio with Becker Map Pilot navigation module and a hinged lid for stowage compartment.
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter offers exemplary value for human safety as it is equipped with the same features found in Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. These include Electronic Stability Programme, Brake Assist System, Hill start assist, crosswind assist and airbags for the driver and co-driver seats. Available safety options include collision prevention Assist, blind spot keeping assist, reversing camera, lane keeping assist and Bi-xenon headlamps with daytime running headlamps for improved illumination.
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The commonest driving error
Research has affirmed that about 80 per cent of road accidents can be attributed to human factors or human errors. The most common (not necessarily the most critical) of these errors is “irregular use or non- use of mirrors”.
It is disheartening to see vehicles without either or both side mirrors while some do not have the inner or central mirror. This is more prevalent among commercial vehicles. Many tri-cycles and motorcycles move about dangerously without side mirrors as well.
The three duties of a driver no matter his or her years of driving experience are to gather, interpret and apply information correctly to ensure effective and safe vehicle control.
Of these three duties of a driver, the gathering of information with the eyes is the foundation and very vital. When information is not gathered while driving, there will be no information to interpret and the decision of such a driver will become erratic which could lead to a fatal accident.
The two side mirrors and the central mirrors are very essential for information gathering particularly to assist in lane change, overtaking, turning or braking. The absence, non-use or irregular use of the mirrors therefore fuels safety risks while driving.
I have three major pleas to make in this article for the benefit of all classes of drivers and riders to enhance safety on roads.
My first plea goes to all categories of drivers, riders and vehicle owners to ensure that their vehicles do not move on the roads no matter how short the distance without the three mirrors properly fixed, clean and appropriately adjusted.
My second plea goes to officers of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and other State Traffic Management Agencies to ensure that drivers handling vehicles without all the three mirrors should be arrested, fined and sent to nearby driving schools for a 1 day correctional training where they will be taught and shown relevant video clips on the importance of the three mirrors and case studies of accidents caused by the absence, non-use and irregular use of each of the mirrors.
My third plea goes to the officers of Nigeria Police Force, soldiers and other officers at checking points and bribe collection points who are fond of breaking vehicle side mirrors whenever they got angry that such drivers did not stop to pay the usual dues or co-operate with them. Many drivers that I interviewed have adduced this as the reason why they are not having side mirror(s).
In a nutshell, the two side mirrors and the inner or central mirror are very vital to information gathering for safe driving. Every driver and vehicle owner must have the right types for their vehicles, fix them well, dry-clean them and properly adjust them for effective use to prevent accidents or near accidents while driving. Prevention is better and cheaper than cure. -
Truck Masters shows strength in body shop
An auto company, Truck Masters, based in Ikeja, Lagos, has
shown its strength in after-sales services as it conducted auto reporters around its facilities.
The company also held training for journalists.
Its Executive Director Dr Oseme Oigiagbe said: “It is our view that once in a time, journalists who cover the industry, should have a comprehensive knowledge or skills around the sector, not only by writing but also by involving self in a Do-it-yourself approach.
“Lots are happening now at various auto assemblies and manufacturing plants in the country. I know you (journalists) have toured some of the plants. So ,this training and workshop will go a long way to impact on your horned skills and also encourage patronage of our services and at the long run, accelerate the Nigerian Industrial Development Plan.”
The Training Centre Manager, Cletus Okenweze, took the reporters in an hour-long interaction session on how auto body repairs are carried out even in a do it yourself approach.
Oseme took the reporters to a practical session where they were shown how the chassis of a vehicle look like and then went through their diagnostic centre, workshop and painting lobby.
According to Oseme, “a major focus of our business is the provision of after sales services on a multi-brand basis through our well-equipped workshop for passenger and commercial vehicles. We also have the capacity for the maintenance of any firm’s fleet of passenger and commercial vehicles with a lot of benefits to give the firm the better span of control over fleet asset management and running costs, also to conveniently drive maintenance cost down by 10 per cent.
“Truck Masters operates a technical training school in collaboration with Federal Government through the agency of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the Nigerian Employers Consultative Assembly for training and development of technical skills for the auto industry. The company also runs Driver Training Programme for commercial vehicles (Truck) drivers and refresher training for drivers of executives or high networth individuals to acquaint them with modern technology and inculcate soft skills and right behaviour.”
At the end of the training/workshop session, Truck Masters Managing Director Mr Tony Arenyeka said: “I am most delighted to have all of you here, to be part of what we do, to be part of our life. I believe that the high point of this training should be the free training workshops and simulation exercises powered by us and the free range of auto-diagnostics and repair services offered to your exclusive learning.”