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(By Olaolu Olusina) Nigeria is set to witness a transformation in the automotive workshop business despite the general downturn in the auto sector. This is as TSL, an auto workshop that is poised to emerge as the largest multi-brand automotive workshop in the country is set to open for business on Thursday, October 19, 2017.
Promising to change the landscape of auto repairs business in the country with its top-notch services, TSL, according to the promoters, will live to its billings as a high-tech auto workshop capable of servicing and repairing all passenger and commercial automotive brands – from Ferrari to Toyota. TSL boasts that its highly-experienced technical manpower will be the highest paid in the Nigeria’s auto industry with perks that will set a benchmark in the sector.
For a start, the company is dangling an irresistible 30 percent discount on service and repairs booked from its opening day on October 19 to October 31 while offering special pricing to corporate bodies that register their fleet for servicing and repairs during the same period.
Opening with no fewer than 36 bays in its ultra-modem workshop situated at Plot 3, Apapa – Oshodi Expressway, Lagos, TSL promises to match the prices being charged by any reputable workshop in Lagos that has at least 18 bays.It also plans to engage in the sale of new and used vehicles, with an added provision of Gold Certification and what the promoters describe as a Peace-of-Mind warranty on used vehicles as well as 24/7 roadside assistance.
TSL Founder, Mr. Raju Sawlani, explained the motivation for launching out the new workshop at a pre-launch media briefing held at TSL headquarters in Lagos on Saturday.
“Having sold over 200,000 vehicles (with a total value of USD 7.2 billion) in Nigeria over a 21-year period, my customers have voiced their concern to me about after-sales issues. For this reason, I decided to launch TSL. I hand-picked the best technical personnel in the Nigerian auto industry- these are highly experienced individuals who I have observed over a 21-year period. In addition, our machinery and equipment are from the top manufacturers in the world. We will prove to the world that supercars do not need to be flown out of Nigeria for service and repairs. Nigerians are highly talented and capable people,” Sawlani, a veteran of the Nigerian auto industry and former Managing Director of Stallion Motors, explained.
“In addition, our machinery and equipment are from the top manufacturers in the world. We will prove to the world that supercars do not need to be flown out of Nigeria for service and repairs. Nigerians are highly talented and capable people,” Sawlani, a veteran of the Nigerian auto industry and former Managing Director of Stallion Motors, explained.
Revealing the cutting edge advantage his company would be bringing to the market, Sawlani, who has gained exposure to over 30 automotive brands in the course of his career, also as a former Executive Director at Coscharis Motors and Kewalram Chanrai Group, listed the main parameters for repair quality to include the “quality of workmanship, genuineness of spare parts, lubricants and fluids used, and the overall customer experience, which includes a reasonable price and the least amount of downtime.”
Sawlani maintained that TSL will provide only genuine lubricants and parts.: “The downtime and stress caused by fake and substandard motor oil and motor parts drain billions of Naira from the economy. Customers have lost confidence in most high and low -end workshops. Another issue is the used vehicles being purchased from sellers of no repute. We are already taking appointments for next week to assist customers who were duped into purchasing flood-damaged vehicles from United States. “
His words: “The downtime and stress caused by fake and substandard motor oil and motor parts drain billions of Naira from the economy. Customers have lost confidence in most high and low -end workshops. Another issue is the used vehicles being purchased from sellers of no repute. We are already taking appointments for next week to assist customers who were duped into purchasing flood-damaged vehicles from United States. “
Promising that TSL will bring back customer confidence in the country’s auto market – from sales to after-sales , used and new vehicles, Sawlani said: “If you wish to purchase a used vehicle in Lagos but don’t know whether to buy it because of the high mileage, I suggest you book an appointment with us and liaise with the seller to bring the vehicle to our workshop. We will do a complete check on the vehicle in front of the seller and the buyer, thereby creating a transparent automotive marketplace. We can provide the buyer with a Peace-of-the Mind Warranty.”
Sawlani assured that his company is set for the transformation of the auto sector in the country and is banking on his over two decades experience in the industry to achieve the set goals and objectives. Sawlani, no doubt, knows his onions as he has set up numerous automotive showrooms (including the Porsche showroom), several workshops and a few assembly plants. He was the first to implement breakthrough service campaigns in Nigeria such as the 4-year/100,000 kilometre free service campaign. I 2015, Sawlani was awarded the OnWheels Leadership Award for outstanding vision, dedication and commitment to the country’s auto industry.
He maintained that with the amount of sales and after-sales transactions set to take place at TSL, the company will share market data with auto journalists and the Federal Government to help improve automotive regulations. Sawlani promised that TSL will also assist the government in creating a level playing field in the auto industry, which, according to him, will take the country’s auto market to a global level.
