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Boulos Enterprises Limited has unveiled the 12th generation Suzuki Super Carry van at its corporate headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos. The company also described the newly-introduced SUZUKI mobile workshop to service the Suzuki Super Carry vehicles as the first of its kind in the country.
Boulos said that the Mobile Mechanics and Repair Suzuki (MMARS), which is fully equipped with compressor, trolley jack, maintenance table, Suzuki specific tooling, torque wrenches, secure tooling cabinet and manned by two Suzuki qualified technicians, will initially be deployed in Lagos and surrounding areas. The mobile workshop, according to the company, will enable buyers of the new Suzuki Super Carry to have their vehicles serviced at their doorsteps or distribution centres.
National Sales Manager, Suzuki Nigeria, Joseph Fayose, said: “MMARS further reinforces our promise to maintain the lowest downtime for any commercial vehicle product in Nigeria. The Nigerian Suzuki Carry is assembled and manufactured by Nigerians for Nigerians, likewise the MMARS was designed and built here in Lagos. We are justifiably proud of it and know it will prove invaluable to companies and small business people who need their vehicles to be working 24 hours a day.”
The Boulos manufacturing plant in Ikeja, Lagos where the 12th generation Suzuki Super Carry and the MMARS van were assembled and manufactured , is the oldest Suzuki production plant in the world outside of Japan and is part of Suzuki’s 35 main production facilities in 23 countries and 133 distributors in 192 countries employing over 45,000 employees worldwide.
Explaining that the launch of the new Super Carry van marks the continuation of the more than 57 years of representation of SUZUKI in Nigeria by Boulos Enterprises, the Marketing Manager, Boulos Enterprises, Titi Olodun, said the Super Carry, which is being sold in 192 countries and is the most tried and trusted 1 tonne van in the world, was first launched in 1961 and the new van is the 12th generation of the Super Carry.
According to Olodun, “It is also one of the most reliable in the world and here in Nigeria, the launch price of N4.3 million, is N2 million less than any other competitor’s vehicle. The pick-up version will be available only on special order with the Van and Refrigerated units as the best sellers.
“ The engine of the vehicle is that of the tried and tested Suzuki 1.2 litre petrol, which is also fitted to the Suzuki Swift, Vitara, Splash, Baleno, Kizashi and many others. In fact, it is so reliable that other manufactures buy the engines from Suzuki for use in their vehicles. The suspension has been especially designed for Nigerian roads, raising the ride height to a level that allows the vehicle to tackle water impediments and settle on the trailing arms and leaf spring suspension without bottoming out.
“The Super Carry is backed by a comprehensive warranty and dealer service representation across Nigeria. Additionally, Boulos stocks over $5 million spare parts at any one time, so there is never a worry for spare parts.”
On the Ikeja plant, Olodun said: “The assembly line is 1,132 square metres long, there is an additional 1,200 square metres where fabrication of a range of custom made bodies for the Suzuki are being manufactured. These include refrigerated units, vans, six seater people carriers, tippers, hoppers, pick-ups, mobile shops and many other body options. The new facilities will be equipped with state of the art modern manufacturing tools and equipment, with associated infrastructure built exactly to the standards of SUZUKI Japan. This venture not only protects the jobs of Nigerians, but has also set in place a clear manufacturing base here in Lagos. We are truly honoured to have created the first ever 4-wheel vehicle assembly/production facility in Nigeria for SUZUKI.’’
She stressed that the Super Carry is initially launched with four bodies: VAN, HIGH TOP VAN, REFRIGERATED VAN AND the PICK-UP (special order only), even as she disclosed that as production increases, the rest of the other 21 body options will be built and made available.
