The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Coscharis

  • Coscharis technicians win Ford Int’l Award

    Coscharis Motors has been hailed by Ford Motor Company for being committed to the training of its staff and acquisition of skills to face increasing demand for excellent after-sales service delivery in the automobile industry.

    The company was awarded certificates and plaques of excellence after its technicians satisfactorily completed last year’s online training set by Ford Motor Company for its dealers in Sub-Sahara Africa.

    Coscharis Group Managing Director, Mr Josiah Samuel, while receiving the award, thanked Ford Motor Company for the recognition and assured that the company will continue in the vanguard for the advancement of technical training and service delivery in the Nigerian automobile industry.

    “Ford Motor Company has created this platform to help our technical team acquire skills and knowledge that will bring them up to speed with the rest of this fast changing automobile world. These plaques and certificates are indications that we have made good use of the platform,” he said.

    Coscharis Motors Training Manager, Mr Sunday Tanimowo said: “At Coscharis, we are committed to training and re-training of our staff and technicians to be abreast with the latest technology in the fast moving automobile industry. That is why we ensure that all relevant staff and technicians are registered and follow through to see that they participate in the respective training programmes of our principals and consequently earn their relevant certification.”

    General Manager Marketing and Corporate Services Mr Abiona Babarinde said: “This is good news for our esteemed loyal customers by going further with Ford, our technicians are now refreshed and reloaded to better handle your precious automobile machines and deliver greater value for your service needs at all times.”

  • Coscharis thrills customers with ride and drive

    Coscharis thrills customers with ride and drive

    Coscharis Motors, sole marketer of the Jaguar Landrover (JLR) in Nigeria in partnership with MTN Nigeria created an experiential platform for their customers through a Ride and Drive event in Lagos.

    The event offered existing and potential Jaguar Landrover customers a unique driving experience on the untapped capabilities and luxury features of the JLR brands.

    Land Rover experienced instructors from South Africa and United Kingdom (UK) were on ground for the event.

    According to the General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Services, Coscharis Motors, Abiona Babarinde, some of the owners of the JLR variants are underutilising their vehicles, given what they actually offered in terms of on-road and off-road capabilities and luxuries.

    “The lack of expert knowledge in handling these vehicles sometimes results in mechanical and electrical challenges,” Abiona said.

    Speaking on the partnership, MTN General Manager, Consumer Marketing, Richard Iweanoge, said, “MTN is delighted to partner with Coscharis Motors to provide this automobile experiential platform for our customers. This is in line with our commitment to be an enabler to our customers in the fulfilment of their aspirations in life.”

    There was an exhibition of all the latest JLR models within the Coscharis dealership at the event. Existing and prospective customers, who made purchases or financial commitment, were given reasonable discounts on most of the vehicles.

    Other partners on ground during the event were Stanbic IBTC Bank and Access Bank, to facilitate the finance options available for interested clients.

    According to the banks’ representatives, the objective of partnering with Coscharis Motors was to create a platform where buyers don’t have to commit their limited funds to purchase the vehicles, but rather spread the payment through instalments.

    This activation is a second in a series of Ride and Drive events organised by Coscharis and Jaguar Landrover in Nigeria.

  • Coscharis appeals order on bullet proof cars’ purchase

    Coscharis appeals order on bullet proof cars’ purchase

    Coscharis Motors Limited has appealed against the order of a Federal High Court in Lagos directing it to disclose to a group, Enough is Enough (EIE) Nigeria, information on the 2013 purchase of two bullet-proof cars for former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah.

    It is urging the appellate court to set aside the order of Justice Mohammed Yunusa made on April 28, and to dismiss the suit filed by a Lagos lawyer, Mr. Ayodeji Acquah, on behalf of EIE.

    Justice Yunusa had held that the failure of Coscharis Motors to disclose or make available to EIE the information requested is a violation of its right of access to information guaranteed by Section 1(1) and Section 4(a) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

    He also made an order of mandamus compelling Coscharis Motors to disclose the information requested, namely the invoice(s) and landing documents for the two BMW vehicles acquired by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) with chassis numbers WBAHP41050DW68032 and WBAHP41010DW68044; and details of the payment for the vehicles, including whether they were paid for in full or hire purchased as reported by the media.

    The vehicles were said to have been purchased at N255million.

    In its Notice of Appeal, the company complained that Justice Yunusa erred in law when he held that the provisions of the FOI Act applied to private companies such as Coscharis Motors and that by enjoying a duty waiver on the two BMW cars, the company became a “private body utilising public funds” and thus subject to the application of the Act.

    Coscharis Motors also contended that the judge was wrong in failing to consider all the issues raised by the company in its address in opposition to the suit, especially relating to whether the company was not justified under Section 12 of the FOI Act in withholding the information requested by EIE.

    It also complained that the judge erred in law when he held that the provisions of the FOI Act applied to private companies because the legislators would have expressly excluded its application to private companies if they so desired.

    Coscharis Motors claimed that the judge was wrong to have assumed jurisdiction to hear the suit when the jurisdiction of the court had not been duly invoked in accordance with the provisions of the FOI Act.

    The appellant said he also erred in law when he failed to deliver his ruling in the case within 90 days after the conclusion of final address as provided by Section 294 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and thereby occasioned a “grave miscarriage of justice” against the company.

    Besides, the company alleged, the judge erred in law when he imported extraneous considerations in the interpretation of the FOI Act in determining the applicability or otherwise of its provisions to private companies such as Coscharis Motors.

    The case will come up tomorrow.

     

  • Coscharis, customer bicker over malfunctioning car

    Coscharis, customer bicker over malfunctioning car

    A Nigeria-based German, Mrs. Marie Omorodion, whose brand new BMW X6 which she bought from Coscharis Limited developed a fault, has alleged unfair treatment by the seller. But Coscharis says she is being economical with the truth as it has done enough to address her complaints, writes Adedeji Ademigbuji.  

    When Nigerian-based German, Mrs. Marie Omorodion, bought a brand new BMW X6 SUV from Coscharis Limited at N16 million about three years ago, she was convinced that the reputation of the brand made the car a reliable choice.

    She was, however, shocked when the car started misbehaving no sooner than the car was delivered to her.

    Omorodion, who, according to sources, has petitioned the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) lamented that her problem with Cosharis Limited, authorised auto dealer for top brands, started in 2012 shortly after she took delivery of the SUV car.

    According to her, the car started misbehaving, graduating speedily from one fault to the other. She added that in spite of several efforts by the authorised distributor to address her complaints, the brand experience of the car has been appalling. She said the car started giving her problems from the very first day she bought it.

    “I purchased the car in question on the 31st of July, 2012 for a sum of N16 million. The car was delivered on the 1st August, 2012. On taking delivery of the car, I pointed out to the Sales Manager at Coscharis, Victoria Island branch, then that the DVD system was not functioning. He  replied by assuring me that it would be fixed and that it was a matter of just replacing it. He said further that due to settings, it could happen and refuse to work on arrival from Germany. I agreed to it being replaced since the sales consultants had assured me that it was not a big deal.”

    In fufillment of the auto dealer’s promise, Omorodion said a new DVD system was ordered and received on April 2013, about eight months after the car was purchased. But to her surprise, the new DVD system too refused to work and they concluded that the new one ordered was also faulty. Following the failure of the DVD, she said another DVD system was ordered with an order dated  27th June, 2013.

    She said: “At this point, I realised that the car had issues but didn’t realise what the issues were. I was not anticipating any problem at all since it was a brand new car bought directly from Coscharis which is supposed to be the face of BMW in Nigeria.”

    However, she said the car later developed another fault  while she was driving on the Lekki Expressway,  precisely by the Chevron toll gate at 100km per hour speed with no prior warning.

    She continued: “It locked itself and shut down. I was terrified and scared that oncoming cars would run into me. I called the BMW maintenance office in Lekki-Epe for help. Officials came later and the car was towed to their workshop. The technical people later confirmed an entire transmission failure: what they called mechatronic gear box failure. This was just ridiculous.”

    Having barely used the car for a year and three months, she said it was incredible such a brand new car could experience total transmission failure. After reporting the new development, she said the transmission was boxed and allegedly sent to Germany and a new one was ordered on the advice of German technicians. The car had to stay in the workshop for another six weeks before agearbox was put into it for her to use for another two weeks before the new one arrived.

    She said: “During the six weeks, I was not offered any courtesy car which should normally be offered and should be a standard since the incident was due to no fault of mine. In Germany, this can never happen. So, why would you have different standards for Nigerians when we even spend more  money to buy these luxury cars considering the freight costs and high duty and clearing costs.”

    She recalled that sometime in November last year, while driving home around 8pm in the same car with her kids, the car suddenly went off again.

    “The car went off without any prior notice at all. It just shut itself down and refused to start. This was between the Chevron roundabout and the second toll gate towards Victoria Garden City. This time around, a diagnosis showed that it was pump failure and it had to be ordered again from Germany,” she lamented, adding that if the car had been purchased in Germany, it would have been replaced long ago.

    She said after the car was fixed last year December 12, while she was driving from Law School, Victoria Island, towards the Civic Centre by the traffic light, the car went off again without any warning.

    “I started off at top speed and to my surprise, right in the middle of the road, with cars coming behind me, my car once again stopped. There was no notice. It just stopped. I cried my eyes out because this happened at a dangerous junction with my children in the car. I called people to help me put up the caution signs and called BMW expressing my disgust. I had been fooled many times but because I really liked my car, I wanted to believe them and kept falling victim all the time,” she said.

    The German said it was discovered that the brain box had packed up this time. Though Coscharis is said to have put the car in shape,  Omorodion has vowed not to have anything to do with it again.

    The General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Services, Coscharis Group, Mr. Babarinde Abiona, told The Nation that Omorodion has decided to wage a war against a brand from her country but insisted that Coscharis respects every customer and as a result, it would not join her in the media war. He said the customer has made several threats to go to court but because the story is not as she painted it, she has not got the nerve to sue the company.

    “We are not going to engage our customer on the pages of newspaper. Other papers have thrown the story into thrash can. She has threatened to go to court but we don’t know why she has not. We respect our customer. She felt this is the strategy she can use to blackmail us. Unfortunately, she is a German. The truth of the matter is that she is very economical with the truth,” he said.

    Abiona stated further that Coscharis has given her warranty and other benefits. “If Coscharis has done any bad to her, BMW German would have used the German sentiment to please her and even complain about the way we handled her complaints as a customer.

    “BMW has told her to come back to us but she will not tell you that some of us have championed her cause; we pushed for discount but she said we wanted to sell her car. “This is a car she bought in 2012 and we should be objective. She’s using CPC to threaten us. The fact is that we managed her car since 2012 when she started complaining. So, if we have done anything wrong, BMW would have used the German sentiment to sort her out. She has been rubbishing our brand in the media. She is just being economical with the truth. Three years down the line, she would have gone to court if truly she is pursuing a true cause,” he said.

  • Coscharis assures of quality as Quick Lane makes debut in Calabar

    Coscharis assures of quality as Quick Lane makes debut in Calabar

    The investment profile of Cross River State  has risen with the arrival of Coscharis Group, a representative of some of the top brands in the automobile industry, in Calabar, promising world class services.

    Also the company has introduced the Quick Lane Auto and Tire Centre, a franchise of one of the brands they represent, Ford in its facility. Calabar is the second place in the country the service has been introduced, the first being in Lagos two years ago.

    Addressing reporters in Calabar, its Head, Dealer Network Development, Adenuga Olalekan said: “Buying a brand new vehicle is just like a young man that is wedding on the wedding day, the woman looks gorgeous and is beautiful but whether she is going to remain that way for a long time to come is a question of maintenance. We as an organisation recognise the importance of after sales service of enjoying any new vehicle that you buy. And that informs our investment in after sales facilities nationwide.

    “Accidents are not act of God as we often made to believe in the country. Often times it is a product of human error. Road accidents generate the largest number of accidents.

    ‘’We recognise that the human error in question involves either the use of substandard spare parts or trace the problem to poor maintenance or rickety vehicles. The objective if citing this facility is to be able to address these challenges. We want to through this facility produce certified parts to be able to maintain all the vehicles that you have bought from us, so we can maximise the enjoyment. We have four key sections.

    He continued: “One I have mentioned is the one that provides certified parts for vehicles you have purchased. The other one is the Quick Lane which is not just Coscharis invention. It is a Ford franchise and established in several places around the world. It is just coming to Nigeria.‘’

  • Coscharis unveils the new BMW X4

    Coscharis unveils the new BMW X4

    Coscharis Motors Limited, the distributor of BMW models in Nigeria has unveiled the new BMW X4 at its Victoria Island office in Lagos, reports TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

    Described by BMW as a “Sports Activity Coupe,” the X4 combines the elevated ride height and all-wheel-drive capability of a crossover with the striking sheetmetal of a coupe.

    Detractors claim that it’s a worst-of-both-worlds vehicle that marries the performance and efficiency-diluting weight of a SUV with the impracticality of a coupe. On the other hand, for supporters, the X4’s distinctive styling more than makes up for those drawbacks.

    And distinctive it most certainly is, with a sharply tapered roof, creased hood and upswept character lines. Only the front end, with headlights that flow into BMW’s signature kidney grille, betrays the X4’s close relationship to the more utilitarian X3.

    It’s a different story inside, at least as far as design is concerned, as everything one can see and touch in the X4 is essentially lifted straight from the X3. That’s hardly a bad thing, though, as it means there’s premium materials, an attractive dashboard and a comfortable driving position. Simple, effective and old-fashioned white-on-black analog gauges contrast with BMW’s latest iDrive infotainment system, which has evolved over the years into one of the most user-friendly interfaces for controlling entertainment, navigation and climate control functions. Redundant controls composed of conventional knobs and buttons provide an alternate means of accessing often-used features.

    No doubt, Nigerian lovers of the German machines, BMW, have something new to look up to as they prepare for the New Year.

    Coscharis Motors Limited, the representative of the brand in Nigeria, unveiled the new product in Lagos on Friday with the expectation that the new X4 would increase its share in the premium segment of the nation’s automobile market.

    According to the President/Chief Executive Officer, Coscharis Group, Mr Cosmas Maduka, the introduction of the car is expected to widen the BMW market share within Nigeria and globally.

    Maduka, who spoke through the General Manager for the BMW brand at Coscharis, Mr Sola Adigun, said the X4 had been equipped with adaptive light control, driving dynamics control with ECO PRO mode and twin power turbo inline four cylinders.

    “The new BMW X4,” he said “stands in the gap for both X5 and X6 and it provides a unique combination of sporty and elegant coupé design, excellent versatility, space and the hallmark BMW sheer driving experience. The BMW X4 is designed that is obviously spacious with an excellent functionality.

    “However, this does not adversely affect the car’s dynamic appearance. It is simply a car with intelligent innovations.”

    According to the Coscharis boss, the X4 (F26) is not just the best-selling manufactured in the compact executive class, but also the first car made in this segment to offer no less than four different body variants: Saloon, Touring, Coupe and Convertible.”The range increased with the advent and launch of the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo late last year,” he stated.

    The BMW X4 is new for the 2015 model year, and it doubles down on the German automaker’s success with the X6 – its first foray into the hazy world of coupe-like crossovers. Assembly takes place at BMW’s United Staes facility in Greer, South Carolina, alongside the X3, the X5 and the X6.

    With its slicked-back roofline and choice performance upgrades, the X4 is targeted at drivers who might shop for a Porsche Macan or a Range Rover Evoque, possibly even a Lincoln MKC.

    The General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Services, Coscharis Group, Mr Abiona Babarinde, said the introduction of the new car at this period was deliberate as it was meant to coincide with the end of the year.

    “This is the time when many people change their wardrobes and decide the type of clothes, shoes and other accessories they want to buy as they prepare to celebrate the Christmas and the New Year. That decision also includes the automobiles,” he said.

    He said the company was not deterred in the launch of the new vehicle by the economic crunch in the country following the recently rolled out austerity measures by the Federal Government in reaction to the falling global prices of crude oil.

    Babarinde said, “It is an emotional car; and notwithstanding the price and the economic situation in the country, people who are attached to beautiful automobiles will always ask for the BMW,” he said.

     

    Interior

     

    Its elevated seat position offers a perfect view of the exclusive, clearly designed interior.

    It has a standard-feature sport leather steering wheel and a sporty-shaped gear selector lever that convey a dynamic impression.

    The new car, according to its manufacturer, has unique surround sound and an outstanding sensation of space, adding the ambience in the BMW X4 satisfies even the highest demands. “Depending on your personal taste, you can add extra touches with top-quality wood trims or a cool metallic look,” it states.

    The elevated seat position in the BMW X4 offers a perfect view of the exclusive, clearly designed interior.

    The standard-feature sport leather steering wheel and the sporty-shaped gear selector lever convey a dynamic impression in an instant.

     

    Exterior

     

    The car has an independent self-image and this is evident as soon as people set eyes on it.

    BMW says its striking front is characterised by a solid stance, a powerful kidney grille and large air inlets. It also has integrated double-round headlights with a full led technology as an option.

    Its sporty bumpers, muscular wheel arches and broad shoulder line further show the X genes of the sports activity coupé.

    From the side, the dynamic contours of the coupé roof line and the characteristic two-part crease line are evident.

    At the rear, the powerfully sculptured bumpers and led lights round off the vehicle’s proportions.

     

    Engine performance

     

    It comes with 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder petrol engine with 225 kW (306 hp). This produces a maximum torque of 400 Nm.

    The intelligent innovations package comprising TwinScroll turbocharger with valvetronic, double-vanos and high precision injection not only enables the BMW X4 xDrive35i to unleash its power, but is also responsible for its efficiency.

    The X4 is equipped with innovative and easy to operate features. For instance, its Comfort Access system makes it possible to open the vehicle doors and start the engine without having to use the car key.

    The key, which may be in one’s trouser pocket or in a briefcase, is automatically recognised upon approaching the car. Once the door has been automatically unlocked, the driver can get in and start the engine by pressing the Start/Stop button.

    The Comfort Access system also includes the Smart Opener function. An integrated sensor detects a short, directed wave of the foot below the rear bumper and the tailgate opens and closes automatically without being touched.

    The Comfort Access system relies on key authentication to ensure security.

    The standard-feature sport leather steering wheel and the sporty-shaped gear selector lever convey a dynamic impression in an instant.

  • Coscharis introduces zero interest promo

    Coscharis introduces zero interest promo

    Coscharis Motors, the sole franchisee of Jaguar Land Rover brands has announced a new favourable price ownership scheme for its Discovery and Freelander 2 variants.

    The scheme allows customers a zero interest spread payment for one year as Coscharis pay the interest on behalf of the customer during this holiday period.

    According to Coscharis Divisional General Manager, Sales, Ufuoma Umukoro, the ownership scheme is the first in the Nigerian auto industry against the usual financing scheme where customers will have to incur some interests or hiding charges that inflate the actual prices of the vehicles.

    “For Coscharis, we are offering the Discovery for N15.5million and the Freelander 2 for N7.5million with the option to choose between your interests being paid for one year, lease or cash transaction. This gives the customer the freedom to own the Discovery, interest free and spread payments over 12 months,” Umukoro said.

    He said the company’s existing customers can attest that the N15.5 million is the best price they can get for lump sum payment, but with the scheme, customers can spread the payment for one year without any interest. Consequently, Coscharis is responsible for the interest accruable.

    In addition, customers also get complementary monetised vouchers to use at GrosVenor Integrated Shirt Limited, the sole franchisee of Grosvenor London, who has the Royal Warrant of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, which makes it an official shirt maker of the British Royal. The voucher is redeemable in either of GrosVenor’s outlets in Lagos and Abuja.

    Furthermore, buyers will receive gift vouchers to spend at Q.Med Diagnostic Centre and Make Me.

    As part of the holiday offering, the General Manager, Marketing, Abiona Babarinde, said: “All buyers will also enjoy one year free registration, free road assistance, special discount for fleet purchase, extended service plan for three years or 100,000km (whichever comes first) and free delivery anywhere in Nigeria.”

    The aim of the scheme is to ease ownership of the premium variants for corporate and retail customers and to reward actual customers especially during festive season. It is one of the company’s strategies to ensure that Jaguar Land Rover customers enjoy their Christmas and New Year seasons with peace of mind.

    Coscharis Motors as the sole importer of Jaguar Land Rover in Nigeria offers a comprehensive warranty backed by a region-wide sales and service network responsible for the provision of world-class sales, maintenance and parts back-up.

  • Winner emerges in Ranger Odyssey competition

    Winner emerges in Ranger Odyssey competition

    Of the five finalists that drove through a swampy terrain at the Awoyaya-Lekki Coscharis head office, Lagos, a computer graduate from Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State, Okezuo Chinonso has emerged the winner of the Ford Ranger Odyssey competition.

    The event, organised by Coscharis Motors, would see the winner hoisting Nigeria’s flag at a larger Ranger Odyssey scheduled for Kaokoland in Northern Kunene region of Namibia later this year.

    The five finalists, according to Abiona Babarinde, were selected through an online application and elimination process.

    Speaking shortly before the competition began, Coscharis Group Managing Director Mr Josiah Samuel, said the campaign had increased awareness and established Ford in the 4×4 leisure market and showed the Ford Ranger’s off-road capability.

    “Building on the huge success of the 2013 Odyssey, this year’s event will yet again be a unique and exciting African 4×4 challenge that seeks to conquer some of Africa’s toughest terrains.

    According to Samuel, the Ranger Odyssey is not a race nor is it a rally but an extremely tough adventurous expedition.

    The expedition, he said, would include elements of competition where participating teams could test their 4×4 driving and mechanical skills, endurance, courage, stamina, perseverance and resilience against the worst that nature could offer.

    He said: “Odyssey is a brand that will appeal to the authentic, adventurous, outgoing, free-spirited, as well as the hard-working, the professional and the bold and adaptable.

    The main emphasis of Odyssey will focus more toward testing human endurance and adaptability combined with the fierce ruggedness that comes with the Ford Ranger brand.

    “The conditions in the Kaokoland are harsh and will present the ultimate test to both the tough-build Ford Ranger and the patience and endurance of each contestant. The roughly 2500km route encompasses some of Namibia’s most spectacular and arduous terrains, including the notorious Van Zyl’s Pass and the famous Purros Loop renowned for its desert elephants.”

  • Coscharis harps on safety

    Coscharis Group has canvassed use of genuine spare parts as part of measures to ensure safety on the roads.

    Its Group Chairman, Dr Cosmas Maduka, spoke at a seminar for the firm’s dealers, key stakeholders in the business, including the Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Chidiebere Nkwonta.

    The event was aimed at addressing after-sales challenges of the firm.

    It has as theme Safety on our roads – Imperative of genuine spare parts.

    To achieve this, especially with its Ford brand, Coscharis Motors, in partnership with Ford sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), launched what it called Certified Parts Wholesale Dealer (CPWD) network.

    Maduka, represented by the Executive Director, Special Duties, Cosmas Maduka (Jnr), noted that with sales increase of the Ford brand, there has been an increase in demand for spare parts and after-sales services.

    Explaining the rationale for the CPWD initiative, Maduka noted that some of the firm’s customers live in or operate their businesses in remote areas of the country and as such, have no easy access to the company’s facilities whenever they have issues bothering on spare parts. A situation, he claimed, has led to patronage unscrupulous spare parts dealers who end up selling counterfeit and sub-standard spare parts to customers in need. He regretted that the use of counterfeit products has exposed some motorists to untold and avoidable hazards including breakdowns, parts failure, accidents and sometimes leading to loss of property and or lives.

    “We have come to the understanding going by the rate at which the brand is growing in our market, that we cannot provide all the after-sales needs all by ourselves. This gave rise to collaborating with spare-parts dealers in the market to make genuine Ford Motorcraft Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) spare-parts available to customers who may have need for parts from time to time,” he said.

    Maduka explained that Coscharis Motors past invested a great deal in after-sales facilities, to tackle the menace.

    Nkwonta, in his presentation, reiterated the dangers of using fake spare parts and the consequent loss of human lives.

    Yearly, he said, over 1.2 million people are killed in road crashes around the world, while 20-50 times that number suffers from serious injuries.

    He said: “Currently, 3,300 deaths and over 66,000 serious injuries occur each day from road crashes, affecting lives of not only the victims, but also those close to and also perhaps financially dependent upon them. Road Safety requires not only driver fitness but vehicle fitness. A well maintained vehicle not only speaks volumes about the owner, but will protect the owner on the road.

    “It is important that we address the importance of vehicle maintenance using genuine parts for road safety and create awareness of preventative steps in properly maintaining our vehicles, thus underlining the importance of using genuine spare parts.”

    The FRSC Lagos Sector Commander listed the advantages of original parts to include safety and reliability, non-negative effect on vehicle’s re-sale value as the longevity of original parts and accessories will help to avoid excessive wear-and-use expenses thus saving life and money.

  • Your case frivolous, Stallion Group tells Coscharis, others

    Your case frivolous, Stallion Group tells Coscharis, others

    The Stallion Group yesterday denied having an unfair advantage over others in the federal government’s auto policy due to come into effect next year.

    In a statement, it rejected allegations of having any exclusive prior knowledge of the policy following which it opened letters of credit ahead of the announcement of the policy on October 2.

    The coalition of auto dealers led by the Coscharis Group had taken their case to the Senate and the Ministry of Investment.

    But Stallion Group yesterday accused them of misleading the public through a deliberate misinformation.

    “The petitions were frivolous, aimed at delaying a well-meaning federal government policy to help the domestic economy through job creation,” the Stallion group said.

    It added that contrary to the petitions by its rivals to the Senate, to its knowledge the petitioners were fully involved and carried along in all the processes leading to the eventual announcement of the government policy.

    It recalled that the Minister of Trade and Investment Mr Olusegun Aganga, said the stakeholders accompanied him to South Africa for a retreat on the policy in addition to several meetings in the course of formulation of the policy since early last year.

    The Stallion Group dismissed as unfounded, the allegations that it imported cars having an unfair advantage “based on the so-called or imagined prior knowledge of the policy.”

    According to Stallion Group, “every serious business organisation should have its eyes on the ball and take advantage of evolving government policy.”

    It accused its rivals of trying to undermine the prospects of automobile manufacturing plants in the country, through their demand for the deferment of the policy.

    It said with the official approval of the policy on October 2, 2013, by the Federal Executive Council, the Stallion Group went ahead to open letters of credit to supply its various brands in the normal ways of business and commercial prudence.

    It added that all distributors and dealers, including the petitioners,” had the same opportunity with Stallion to replenish their stock in reaction to the policy.”