Toyota (Nigeria) Limited (TNL) has rewarded nine persons that emerged winners in the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest.
The contest is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of Toyota Motor Corporation Japan to develop the innate artistic talent in children and to cultivate an enduring relationship with them.
Toyota distributors and dealers alike globally have keyed into this initiative because of its acceptance and impact on children’s psyche the world over.
The 11th Dream Car Art Contest was held in Nigeria in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Rivers state capital and Lagos
In Abuja, 297 children participated, 266 in Port Harcourt and 559 in Lagos. Three winners emerged from each category in Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos centres.
Three national finalists from each category (nine winners in all) emerged after the rigorous assessment of entries from the three drawing centres.
All the winning entries were judged based on the originality, creativity, environmental friendliness, safety and futuristic concept in their drawings.
The nine winners (two from Port-Harcourt and seven from Lagos) were honoured on March 25 during Toyota Awards in Lagos.
The winner’s parents, teachers and well-wishers were entertained and winners went home with Laptops, other corporate gifts and most importantly, winner’s certificate.
TNL Managing Director Mr Kunle Ade-Ojo congratulated the winners and announced that one of the winners in next year’s edition would be sponsored to Japan.
At the event were TNL Head of Marketing Department Mr Andrew Ajuyah, Marketing Manager Mr Bayo Olawoyin and the Public Relations Manager, Mrs Bukunola Ogunnusi, who introduced the winners.
The winners gave presentation of their drawings, which explains the concept of their drawings respectively; they also urged Toyota to manufacture their dream car in the future.
One of the winners, Ifunanya Nwankwo thanked TNL for the opportunity given to them to demonstrate their talents.
Category: Motoring
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Toyota rewards Dream Car Art Contest winners
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Hyundai Motors announces promo sales
Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited (HMNL) has announced an offer of N2,695,000 for prospecting customers seeking to buy Hyundai cars in the company’s periodic sales campaign.
Tagged ‘Hyundai Grand Savings Bonanza,’ HMNL Head, Sales and Marketing, Jatin Nadkarni said the bonanza promises to make prices very competitive during and after the campaign.
The offer, which is restricted to selected Hyundai models, such as Hyundai i10, Grand Xcent and Accent, could afterward be extended to cover other models in the Hyundai line-up.
Nadkarni said: “Stallion Hyundai Motors Nigeria is determined to cushion imminent scarcity of functional B segment cars and mitigate price increase of cars owing to last year prohibition of used vehicle import through the land borders. The offer also gives customers to buy the desired Hyundai models during this Easter festive season. Buyers of these three homemade models are offered free registration and free service for six months or 10,000km, whichever is earlier. The incentives are in addition to Hyundai standard three-year or 100,000 kilometre warranty for i10 and Grand Xcent, and 5-year or 100,000 kilometre warranty for Accent, Mr. Nadkarni explained.
Hyundai Grand Xcent, i10 and Accent cars are assembled in Nigeria at the Hyundai Motors plant in Lagos.
Powered by 1.25l-litre engine mated to a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmission, the Grand Xcent is admirable for daily travels with an entirely new level of art with comfortable and spacious cabin.
The i10 is a city car with a five-door hatchback body style, powered by 1.0-litre engine and comes with front electric windows, ABS, air-conditioning and an RDS radio/CD player.
Hyundai Accent are available with both 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre engines and are powerful saloon cars in its segment with spacious interior, advanced technology and features.
The price rollover, Nadkarni said, is aimed at making available reasonably priced Made-in-Nigeria cars to assuage imminent dearth of functional pool cars. -
Mercedes-Benz introduces Accelo
Mercedes-Benz has launched a new medium duty truck for city and short distance operations. The all-new Accelo 915C is the first Mercedes-Benz compact truck.
According to Weststar Associates Limited, authorised distributors of Mercedes-Benz commercial and passenger vehicles in Nigeria, the Accelo was unveiled due to the growing demand by various businesses to increase revenue and productivity while maintaining reduced overhead costs
This 4X2 truck would be a great delight to construction, haulage and distribution industries as it offers high value for money, great maneuverability and suitable comfort for any transport challenge, the company said.
The Accelo provides high load capacity via its rear axle as it boasts a payload of over five tonnes. With a Gross Vehicle Weight of nine tons, the very adaptable Accelo allows fitting of superstructures (of up to 6.5 meters long), such as tank for liquids/gases, tipper, dry cargo, waste compactor, cesspit emptier, standard aluminum truck, box body and even bodies for the distribution of beverages.
It is equipped with a 150HP four-cylinder Euro 3 engine equipped with a five-speed manual transmission. For a safer driving experience, the Accelo is equipped with a pneumatic, dual circuit disc brake system to guarantee accurate responses while in everyday urban traffic. The all-new Accelo comes with a load-sensing valve and anti-Lock brakes to enhance safety by preventing unwanted locking of rear wheels.
“It’s ruggedness, driver comfort, payload and easy body mounting are unique features that set it apart from other commercial vehicles, thus making it a perfect cost-effective tool for demanding fleets in the private and public sectors. In addition to being backed up by our well-established maintenance and parts network, there is no doubt that the Mercedes-Benz Accelo will contribute to the fast growth of the Nigerian economy,” Mirko Plath Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Weststar Associates Limited said.
‘’Its passenger car-like dashboard gives the driver full overview of the most vital driving information on the instrument cluster. Other key features include ergonomic seats for two passengers and a driver, air conditioning, power windows, power steering and a central seat with a three-point seatbelt. These features help ensure a high level of occupant safety, excellent visibility, driver productivity and alertness.’’
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Ford Ranger goes to North America
Ford is bringing back the Ranger midsize pickup truck to its North American vehicle lineup in 2019. The Ford Ranger is currently the 2016 Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Pick-up of the Year proving the model has managed to achieve popularity across the globe due to its impressive range of technologies, bold design and outstanding capabilities.
On the model’s return to North America, Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of The Americas said: “We’ve heard our customers loud and clear. They want a new generation of vehicles that are incredibly capable yet fun to drive. Ranger is for truck buyers who want an affordable, functional, rugged and maneuverable pickup that’s Built Ford Tough.”
For Nigerian consumers, the Ford Ranger is currently assembled in Lagos ensuring it’s designed from the ground up with Nigerian conditions and consumers in mind. It’s one of the toughest, smartest and most capable pick-ups in the market and is packed with features aimed at providing customers with improved utility, comfort and convenience. A full line-up of Ford Rangers is sold in Nigeria at Coscharis Motors, including the Single Cab commercial models, the versatile Super Cab (or RAP Cab) versions with the additional rear-hinged doors, and the extensive range of practical Double Cab derivatives which includes the XL, XLT, Limited and range-topping Wildtrak derivatives.
Ford has leveraged its global engineering resources in building tough pickup trucks, known and trusted for durability, safety and capacity.
The Ranger has set the benchmark in the pickup segment with an uncompromising blend of robust capability, craftsmanship, safety and advanced technologies that provide Nigerians with solutions to everyday challenges.
It also features a stylish, smart and functional interior, alongside a best-in-class combination of water-wading, towing and payload capabilities.
It’s the perfect vehicle for local road conditions and can be used for anything from a family vehicle to a rugged workhorse.
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Toyota chief warns motorists against unauthorised mechanics
Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) has cautioned vehicle owners and drivers not to patronise fake mechanics and unauthorised auto technicians to save costs due to the recession.
Its Chairman Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, gave this warning at the Toyota Awards held at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos ,where some of its big customers, including First Bank Nigeria (FBN) Limited, Peace Mass Transit and the Department of Petroleum Resources were honoured for their consistent loyalty.
Chief Ade-Ojo stressed that the recession required some structural adjustments to survive, urging vehicle owners not to compromise on quality, standards and integrity.
“Don’t engage in what can cause bigger damage to you in the nearest future because of these hard times. Don’t take your vehicles to unauthorised operators or garages to ensure longevity of the vehicles. You may have yourself to blame at the end of the day.
“Rather than cutting short the lifespan of your vehicle by unwisely taking it to unauthorised garages that can cause greater damage to your vehicle, this is the time to be careful with your money. Be wise, patronise authorised garages of Toyota and God will take all of us through these hard times. We shall see better days to come,” he said.
First Bank was declared Toyota’s Evergreen Customer of the Year, having been a major consistent customer of the company for five consecutive years. The bank was rewarded with a cash prize of N2.5 million.
Other winners are Peace Mass Transit, which won the Customer of the Year Award with a cash prize of N2million; the Department of Petroleum Resources emerging the first runner up with N1.5million; and Master Global Concept, winner of the second runner up in the customer award category, got N1million.
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Volkswagen to sell diesel-powered cars
Volkswagen AG will soon sell diesel-powered cars in the United States after it obtained approval from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). VW Group of America spokeswoman Jeannine Ginivan said the company updated its vehicles’ emissions software.
The German automaker said it was allowed by the US EPA to sell at least 67,000 diesel vehicles from the 2015 model year. These include about 12,000 vehicles that are currently in dealer inventory with approved emissions modifications. The company is moving towards electric vehicles, signalling a declining role for diesel engines in Volkswagen’s portfolio, particularly in the US.
The software update, which was part of the emissions repair by the EPA and California Air Resources Board, included modifications to diesel engine hardware, but Ginivan said dealers do not need to wait until the repair parts are available early next year. He added that they are currently in the process of finalising the details and would provide more details about its implementation at the right time. However, an independent Swedish test had questioned its diesel emissions fix.
Teknikens Värld, a publication known for its “moose test” dynamic assessment, said it has been clear to them that in several cases, the driveability of the cars has worsened dramatically. The remark came after it tested 10 different vehicles pre and post-fix. Volkswagen’s Swedish arm said it found the result surprising.
Previously, the automaker admitted it rigged almost 500,000 diesel cars in order to pass US emissions tests, a scandal known as Dieselgate. It had allegedly put aside US$24 billion (AU$31 billion) to cover the costs and fines brought by the scandal.
Earlier this year, Toyota Motor Corp surpassed Volkswagen as the number one automaker with Renault-Nissan Alliance on the second rank. Volkswagen ranked third.
Toyota’s worldwide production surged 9.4 percent in January and February of this year. Tokyo-based spokesperson Kayo Doi said the solid production begins in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations markets.
Volkswagen, on other hand, reportedly suffered an almost 10 percent decline in its core market, China, during the first two months of the year.
Forbes notes that sales in the US and Europe, which are comparatively higher, cannot make up for the Chinese contraction. Audi, its profit machine, was down 7.7 percent in the same period. -
Volkswagen to launch Tiguan SUV
The Tiguan was first showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo in 2016, and its introduction this year will mark Volkswagen’s presence in the growing SUV segment.
Volkswagen’s upcoming SUV the Tiguan is now being featured on the company’s India website with the ‘coming soon’ tag. The Tiguan, which has already hit the assembly line at its plant in Aurangabad, is expected to go on sale in India by May.
The Tiguan was first showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo in 2016 and its introduction this year will mark Volkswagen’s presence in the growing SUV segment. Based on the MQB platform, Tiguan is expected be priced at around Rs 25 lakh in India. When launched, Tiguan will be pitted against Ford Endeavour, Toyota Fortuner, Chevrolet Trailblazer and the upcoming Skoda Kodiaq. Volkswagen is expected to open the bookings for Tiguan soon.
In terms of dimensions, the Tiguan measures 4,486mm in length, 1,839mm in width and 2,095mm in height and comes with a wheelbase of 2,677mm. The new Tiguan is 60mm longer and 30mm wider and is lighter by 50k. The wheelbase has been stretched by 77mm. -
Caring for road accident victims
A lot of innocent victims of road accidents have died for lack of financial support for their medical treatments. They were innocent passengers in the vehicle of a careless driver or a victim of another careless road user.
Some of these innocent victims even died because there was no Police report needed to commence their treatment early enough.
Many families have been thrown into debts because one or more innocent member(s) of their families were victims of accidents not caused by them.
These innocent victims could be likened to victims of man-made or natural disasters for whom governments and humanitarian agencies do provide free treatments and relief materials without any form of transfer of initial direct costs to their family members. There are also no clogs as to the procurement of police reports or deposit of money at hospitals before the commencement of treatments. This is because the hospitals know that the cost of the treatments administered on them will be fully borne by the governments and or the humanitarian agencies. This makes the number of lives saved in such disasters higher compared to what happens to victims of road traffic accidents whose burdens are unfortunately left for their family members to bear.
Not long ago, I witnessed an accident scene along Ogbomosho-Ilorin road where innocent victims were screaming in their pools of blood while sympathisers stood helplessly for fear of being roped if they attempted to take them to hospitals before the arrival of officers of the Federal Road Safety Commission and the Nigeria Police. Some of the victims died for lack of prompt attention.
There is, therefore, an urgent need for the Federal and state government to come up with a policy and Executive pronouncement that victims of road accidents should be given prompt assistance and treatment by whoever (Members of the public) and whichever agency gets to the scene first. Governments should take up the responsibility of financing the treatment of the victims of road accidents as well as the provision of necessary after-treatment care and support with the relevant insurance supports.
The policy statement shuld also include the arrest and prosecution of the surviving drivers (whoever caused the accidents if he or she escapes or survives).
When road and/or road furniture are damaged in the course of the crash, those found guilty must be made to repair or replace such infrastructures.
These and allied actions if taken, will improve the safety-consciousness of drivers, reduce the rate of accidents and deaths as well as instil hope in the vehicle occupants as citizens of Nigeria. -
NADDC affirms govt support for auto policy
The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has dismissed insinuations that the Federal Government may have jettisoned the National Automotive Policy owing to the situation of the economy.
Its Director General Aminu Jalal, who refuted the allegation as baseless and unsubstantiated, said the government has already resolved to substantiate the policy initiative as part of her efforts to empower the automotive industry as viable alternative to oil.
Jalal spoke in Lagos at the Manufacturing and Equipment Expo.
He said: “It is already assured the new government will continue with the policy, and the response so far has exceeded our expectations. Our emphasis as it is, has shifted to the development of automotive component.”
According to him, five South African companies have indicated interest in establishing component manufacturing plants in the country just as some Chinese investors have similarly indicated interest in exploring opportunities in the auto industry.
Jalal said no fewer than 14 assembly plants have since 2014 begun operations, assembling new products including cars and SUVs like Nissan, IVM, Peugeot, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Volkswagen, Ford, Changan and GAC.
Whilst in the bus and truck category, Hyundai, Ashok-Leyland, MAN, Anammco, Leyland-Busan, IVM, FAW, Sino, Shacman, Aston, Foton, Forland and Isuzu are among notable brands currently being produced at various facilities in Nigeria. This is in addition to Proforce armoured vehicles wielding installed capacity for over 300, 000 units annually, he affirmed.
Jalal said these plants, in 2015, contributed 75,000 units of vehicles including concessionary imports representing 75 per cent of estimated 100,000 new vehicles that made it into the market during the period under review.
Also adding that the industry is long-term in nature and requires policy continuity and constituency, the NADDC helmsman said Nigeria is on track to becoming a vehicle manufacturing nation.
He said: “The Nigerian automotive development plan is our best chance of developing this vital industry and making Nigeria Africa’s leading automotive hub, especially when viewed against the market potential of the ECOWAS and Central African countries estimated at one million vehicles annually.
“One of the convictions of the National Automotive policy is to have vehicle assembly operations with increasing local content absorption that could evolve from one stage to another, for instance from SKD2 (semi-knocked down) to CKD (completely knocked-down) operations without exceeding 12 months or maximum 36 months including a set-up period of 12 months.”
This institutional framework is validated in article 5.1 of the National Automotive Policy, which states inter alia “there will be phased component parts deletion programme for cast, pressed and forged body and mechanical parts and trim/accessories with the establishment of relevant engineering infrastructures. And in item 6.1, “Local and foreign investors shall be encouraged to establish automotive vehicles and component parts outfits.”
The NADDC director said the biggest multiplier effect of automotive manufacturing comes with component manufacturing, saying the more you localise the higher the number of jobs created, and the deeper you go downstream, the more jobs you create.
“Assembly operations alone account for about 15 to 20 per cent of the cost of the vehicle. When you add local content, you now increase the value added. We are hoping that within the next five years, we will reach value addition of about 30 to 40 per cent,” he said. -
Tata Motors partners Jayem Automotives for special vehicles
Tata Motors has announced the launch of JT Special Vehicles Pvt. Ltd., a 50:50 joint venture with Jayem Automotives Pvt. Ltd., for the development of special performance vehicles based on the latest series products. As part of the agreement, both Tata Motors and Jayem Automotives will work towards performance enhancement and appearance of series vehicles to offer an exciting and innovative range of niche aspirational products for the passenger car customers.
Announcing this JV, Tata Motors Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director Guenter Butschek, said: “We are delighted to partner with Jayem, a brand known for its capabilities in concept creation and prototyping of special performance vehicles. This partnership is a step towards creating long-term relationships as a part of our transformation journey and to bring more exciting performance variants to our product range.”
Jayem Automotives Pvt Ltd Managing Director J Anand said: “We are excited about our joint venture with Tata Motors and to be a part of their transformation journey. We aim to bring world class performance products to market in a short time, and to fulfil expectations of passionate customers in the niche segment of sportier cars.”
JT Special Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. will develop a range of performance vehicles in a phased manner at a dedicated line, currently being explored at Coimbatore. With all processes including design, precision machining, assembly, and testing facilities driven under one roof, this facility will aim to deliver the next level of personalisation and enhanced performance with agility and efficiency.