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The age-long rivalry for relevance in the utility vehicle segment between Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi L200 and Ford Ranger will be rekindled when a winner in the Pick-up category will be announced by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) on November 24, 2016 at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, venue of the 2016 NAJA Awards ceremony.
Specifically, the old rivalry between Hilux and Ranger for the juicy Pick-up market has again taken the front burner as both automotive nameplates have been nominated for the 2016 Pick-up of the year award, which analysts expect to be one of the mostly keenly contested segments of the annual auto award. The Mitsubishi L200 is also in the race for the top position.
Hilux and Ranger were nominated for pickup of the year in 2015 edition of the auto award with Toyota Hilux emerging winner ahead of other contenders.
Providing some of the striking features of the Hilux range available in two-wheel drive/4WD single and double cabins and petrol and diesel engines, Toyota Nigeria Limited says the strength of the vehicle lies in the vast volume of data the automaker has amassed in years of building reliable and rugged pickups.
“All models feature a laser-welded high-tensile steel body and chassis that has been subjected to exhaustive CAE simulation resulting in light weight with excellent torsional rigidity for precise handling,” the company said.
Hilux has high-integrity cabin that protects its occupants and ensures the doors function normally after a collision to facilitate escape or rescue efforts. Other safety features include front and rear three-point ELR seatbelts, headrests, and an energy-absorbing steering column that contributes to the driver’s protection in a frontal collision.
On its part, Ford says its new Ranger pickup offers customers’ improved fuel efficiency, a bold new design and cutting-edge technologies. According to the automaker, the Ford Ranger remains one of the most capable and versatile trucks in its class as customers can choose from three body styles: two-door Regular Cab, Super Cab with additional rear-hinged doors accessing second-row seating, and four-door Double Cab.
The L200 is considered one of the Mitsubishi’s long-time global best-sellers. Designed as an ultimate Sport Utility Truck, the manufacturer says the vehicle combines the comfortable interior of a passenger car with the functionality and reliability of a pickup.
L200 is built to handle all kinds of terrain, adding that it achieves high levels of safety performance through its durable and sturdy chassis and frame structures along with its impact safety body and available in single cab and double cab variants, with a three-engine line-up.
It delivers quietness and ride comfort on a par with a passenger car, thanks to a new engine, optimisation of the suspension, the strategic placement of sound insulation, absorption and vibration damping materials.
Toyota, Ford and Mitsubishi have through their representatives in Nigeria said that their pickup segment is a large market, which they cannot afford to toy with.
Meanwhile, the organisers of the auto awards, NAJA, said preparations were fully on for the programme to hold in Lagos on November 24, stressing that it would feature about 20 categories drawn from the automotive industry, ancillary products and industry personalities that have contributed in one way or the other in shaping the sector.
