..:: AUTO REPORT AFRICA ::..
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By Yusuf Kayode Bonire (+234 903 953 3343)
Indications have emerged that the automotive sector in Nigeria might be bouncing back after years of non- performance and lull in business occasioned by not only the economic recession but also the effects of COVID-19 pandemic which affected businesses globally. The large turn-out of exhibitors at the recently-held 21st Abuja International Motor Fair is a pointer to the new development in the auto sector as it was a great improvement on the last Lagos Motor Show held earlier in the year with only a few exhibitors.
Despite the initial hiccups at the beginning of the Abuja Motor Show when the expected guest of honour and Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo, who was billed to declare the show open, refused to show up and failed to delegate any official of his Ministry to represent him, as he was away to South Africa, the week-long auto show featured many surprises and excitement even as the Minister of State for Power, Hon. Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR, paid a visit to add colour to the event on the closing day.
AUTO REPORT AFRICA was also live at the show organised by BKG Exhibitions Limited at the Abuja International Conference Centre. The interactions of this reporter with some of the exhibitors gave a ray of hope and confidence that despite the local economic challenges, the sector is surely set for a re-bound.
Featuring no fewer than 30 automobile dealers, assemblers as well as manufacturers, the event saw the participating companies including Coscharis Motors Plc, Kewalrams Nigeria Limited, CIG Motors Co., Ltd , Toyota Nigeria Ltd, Kojo Motors and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing(IVM), among others, exhibiting their various automobile brands. There were also new launches such as the new Toyota Corolla by Toyota Nigeria Limited and the introduction of solar-powered buses by Austrian Technologies which gave visitors opportunity of an experience in the new buses that are set to make a statement in the country’s auto sector.
At the Toyota Nigeria exhibition stand, different models of Toyota were showcased ranging from trucks, sedan, buses, and SUVs. From the latest Toyota Corolla, Camry, Land Cruiser , and 2020 Land Cruiser Prado, among others. the stand really excited visitors to the show. A representative of Toyota Nigeria, one of the oldest automobile companies in Nigeria, told AUTO REPORT AFRICA that it has not really been easy for the company because of the local economic challenges, especially the effects of unregulated importation of foreign used vehicles which limit the number of private customers that patronise authorised dealerships such as TNL. . He however maintained that his company still make sales as many Nigerians still prefer new vehicles to the foreign used vehicles even as he disclosed that the free fall in the value of the Naira at the foreign exchange market has drastically affect the business.
On how COVID-19 has affected the business, he said every business suffers the impact of COVID- 19, including Toyota and just like every other company, TNL is gradually rising from the impact of the pandemic.
When asked about their plan for electric car models, the Toyota representative said the world generally is moving towards electric cars as combustion engine emissions are really harmful to the environment. He assured that his company was also looking into it and very soon, they will have electric cars available for the Nigerian market.
Kojo Motors showcased different types of luxury YUTONG buses and tour coaches for commuter services . Speaking with the Sales Manager, Djankah George, he pointed that neither pandemic nor Nigerian economy has affected the sales of their products as they have always been patronised by big mass transit companies. He also stated that no matter what, people still tend to move from place to place. Talking about electric cars, George stated that considering the reason for the shift in paradigm from combustion engine to electrification, they are already using gas powered vehicles with almost zero carbon emission but they are still looking into the importation of electric buses as soon as possible.
Innoson also showcased different models of cars at their stand ranging from sedan , SUVs, trucks, buses, ambulance , among others. The G40, Seriki, Granite, Ikenga, G20 Smart, Capa, G5T, G6Carrier were all on display. On why the G80 was not brought to the show, Ezugwu Obiora, a Sales Representative from the Lagos branch office, said G80 is only built when it’s being requested as they wait until up to 10 persons requested for it before it’s produced.
On how the business has been affected by the Nigerian economy and COVID-19 pandemic, Obiora noted that COVID really affected them at the point of production and also at the point of sales as some of their customers and workers ware on lockdown but since the lockdown was lifted, they had been up and doing with the business.
AUTO REPORT AFRICA took the question a little further by asking how the patronage has been from Government, private bodies and people in general. the Sales Representative, who seems to be happy, stated that the Government has really supported them in diverse ways even as he disclosed that the Federal Road Safety Corps uses Innoson trucks for their daily operations, adding that the Nigerian Army is not left out as well in using Innoson vehicles to tackle insurgency in Nigeria. He further explained that a lot of individuals as well as private bodies who ventured into mass transportation have also shown interest in the Innoson automobile brand.
On the controversy as to whether Innoson is producing or assembling cars, he quickly noted that Innoson engages in both assemblying and manufacturing.
Coscharis Motors excited visitors to its stands with Renault and Ford brands . Renault models on display were the Duster, Kwid, Logan, Kolios, among others. The Coscharis Ford stand featured Ford models ranging from trucks, Sedans, SUVs such as the 2020 Explorer, Edge, Ranger and the Iconic Mustang GT.
Also at the fair was KEWALRAM which displayed different brands of cars ranging from Jeep Wrangler, Dodge, Isuzu, Chevrolet, Fiat, Trucks, SUVs and Sedans.
Speaking with the Regional Sales Manager, Mr. Dogo Godwin, about the challenges they are facing in the automobile business, he stated that the importation of foreign used cars has affected their business as many people tend to patronise cheaper used cars instead of the new cars. He disclosed that they had discussed with the Government times without number on measures they could take to help the average Nigerian purchase new cars without much financial pressure on the buyers.
Unlike other stands AUTO REPORT AFRICA visited, his thoughts about electric vehicles in Nigeria was that Africa will definitely move to automobile electrification but will still take a long time to achieve that, owing to some factors, including inadequate power supply. He however noted that oil producing nations may find it very difficult to shift to electric cars as fuel is their major source of revenue.
GAC Motors also showcased good number of cars ranging from sedan, trucks, SUVs Crossovers, Space Wagons, among others. GAC Motors has been around for over three years partnering with the Lagos State Government. GAC is set to start manufacturing in Nigeria as they are already assembling.
Deputy Sales Manager, GAC Motors, Mr. Oham Anthony Chukwuebuka, stated that his company is in partnership with the Lagos State Government and has supplied as much vehicles to Lagos State Police Command. On electric cars, he noted that GAC Motors is actually looking in to it and very soon they will start bringing electric cars to Nigeria .
11 Plc.(Mobil) and Choice International Group (CIG) Motors were the two official Sponsors of 21st Abuja International Motor Fair.
Welcoming the special guests, exhibitors and visitors at the opening ceremony on November 16, Managing Director/CEO, BKG Exhibitions Limited, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Ugwu, said Nigeria is very important to the global automotive business as virtually all brands in the industry compete to enter and capture the market.
“I urge all the stakeholders not to allow these overburdening challenges to eclipse the industry. We all need to utilize a strategic platform like this one holding very close to the seat of power to draw attention to happenings in the sector through our active participation. This will ultimately help in pushing the affairs of the sector into the front burner of the nation’s economic discussion to elicit the right and best attention and best policies. This is why the overriding theme of this edition is “Taking the bull by the horn.” We cannot be defined by the challenges ; rather, we shall define them by defeating them. This important sector must not die!
“In our continuous quests to make the event serve the entire automotive and road transport sectors effectively, we embarked on a series of “Meet the Stakeholders Parleys” with the aim of getting and aggregating the views of the investors and that of the policymakers and executors to seeing how we will have a unified common front in tackling the challenges of the sector. Happily, it has not been a fruitless effort as evidenced with the strong presence of both sides here today, it will get better, I dare to assure you all.
“As I look forward to all of joining to take this bull by the horn, I want to especially thank the management of CIG Motors for taking their participation in this edition to a higher level as one of the Official Sponsors. Thank you for identifying and keying into the vision and mission that this industry must not die, not with the quantum of investment it has received since 2014. Thank you for this special partnership, I look forward to this event getting more of such so that it will become registered in the global calendar and continue the role of enhancing the speedy development of the sector. 11Plc, thank you for showing the way it should be – by maintaining your sponsorship of the event.
“The nation obviously needs to have internationally recognized auto shows to help in showcasing and opening this important market and its potentials to attract the much desired global investments. To be able to give Nigeria such a befitting show we need the support of every stakeholder especially the federal government; bearing in mind that no investment in this key sector is a waste.
“Our dear participants, I commend you all for defying all odds to be here. This shows that you are unshakeable, reliable, and resilient. I wish you the best as you utilize this event to increase your enviable stake in the largest automotive market in Sub-Saharan Africa, ” the BKG boss, who is also the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Fair, stated.
The 21st Abuja International Motor Fair was held from November 15-22, 2021 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
