By Moses Akaigwe
The suspense over the next auto brand Mikano Motors was going to add to its fast-growing line-up came to an exciting end on Thursday, when the motor company revealed the identity of the mystery new entrant as Changan Auto.
The eagerly awaited announcement was made at a press briefing held at the Mikano Motors Head Office in Victoria Island, Lagos, where participants were engaged in a session to explore the latest addition to Nigeria’s fastest growing automotive assembly and marketing company.
Prior to the reveal, Mikano Motors had teased audiences with endorsements from celebrity influencers, such as celebrity barman, Pascal Chibuike (aka Cubana Chief Priest), Jemima Osunde, Akah Nnanni, Sydney Talker and auto enthusiasts, supercars of Nigeria and CarContinent who also witnessed the official reveal.
Also in attendance were a few customers who had already purchases from the Changan line-up by pre-order, amongst whom were the first owners of the Changan CS85 Coupe, who picked up their cars on the same day at the modern showroom in Victoria Island.
With the addition of Changan (formerly distributed by another Nigerian dealer), Mikano Motors becomes the sole distributor of brands from three of China’s “Big Four” auto giants, namely Saic Motors (Maxus), Dongfeng Motor Corporation (ZNA), and now Changan Automobile Group.
Established in 1862, Changan Auto is China’s oldest automaker and one of the pioneers of the automotive industry. Their sojourn into building and retailing passenger vehicles, however, started 32 years ago.
Since then, the brand has continued to gain immense popularity worldwide for its value offerings across all segments of the automotive industry with sales in the region of 8,500 units sold daily worldwide, under its brands, including Changan, Oshan, and Kaicene, and also its joint ventures with foreign brands like Lincoln, Ford and Mazda known as Changan Ford and Changan Mazda respectively, since 2012.
With consistent focus on evolution and innovation, Changan Auto has set its sights on a fully electric line-up by 2025.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager, Mikano Motors, Ralph Haidar, stated “Mikano Motors partnership with Changan Auto is a powerful alliance that will further change the landscape of automobile ownership in Nigeria, in the wake of the success of the Geely brand.” He further stated that Mikano Motors is expecting around 15 models from this brand, which will be complementary to the company’s line-up from Geely Auto, Maxus and ZNA.
In what was described as a bold and unprecedented move, Mikano Motors-Changan announced that it is offering a six year/ 200,000km warranty (whichever comes first) to all its new customers while according up to a five-year warranty to existing Changan owners. With 15 models, Mikano Motors promises that there will be a car to suit everyone’s needs.
Haidar spoke further on the unique warranty package, saying “This is the first of its kind in all of Africa and one of the reasons why the Changan brand is performing well in some West African countries, especially of note, Ivory Coast. This is also true for many Gulf countries like Qatar, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, where they offer even higher warranties.
“As a leading global provider of quality automobile sales and services, with a clear understanding of producing quality vehicles and considering the disposable income of auto buyers declines as a result of the global economic recession and other domestic factors, we understand that businesses and individuals need cars that combine durability, affordability, as well as luxury and technology which is what Changan and Mikano Motors are known to provide to its customers.”
Also addressing the guests, the National Sales Manager, Mikano Motors, Chijioke Mbonu, gave an insight into the sales performance of the Changan brand since its arrival at Mikano Motors, disclosing, “the trust that clients have for the Mikano name has played a huge part in ensuring that sales of over 500 units have been made to government parastatals, corporate organizations and individuals within the past three months under the pre-sale terms”.
Good news also came from the Operations Manager for Mikano Motors, Syam Abdulkadir, who assured that the company was prepared to satisfy customers from all the brands under Mikano Motors, with a 3S model that ensures that from the point of sale and throughout their auto journey, they will have peace of mind and the assurance of the all the benefits of the Mikano Motors value proposition.
He also made it clear that the brand has already put measures in place for expansion of facilities as needed.
Before closing the event, Haidar unwrapped the presales/ pre-order offer for Changan models. The offer includes, but is not limited to, all prices VAT deducted (as a form of discount), free registration and up to three years free service, depending on the model purchased.
The event was finally closed with a walk around four out of the 15 anticipated models; the Eado DT sedan, CS35Plus, CS85 Luxury Coupe SUV and the Executive CS95 large SUV.
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