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By Moses Akaigwe
One of Nigeria’s automotive industry leaders, Dana Motors, has announced the unveiling of fully CNG-powered buses assembled at its assembly facility located along the Oshodi-Apapa expressway, Isolo, Lagos.
Commenting on the milestone achievement, the managing director of Dana Motors, Jacky Hathiramani, hailed it as yet another new dawn for Nigeria’s energy and auto sectors.
He added that Dana Motors remained committed to proffering the latest, environmentally friendly, and affordable automotive solutions in Nigeria.
Hathiramani further remarked, “Since its inception, Dana Motors has been at the fore front of bringing latest innovative automotive solutions to the Nigerian market. Since the commencement of our assembly operations in 2014 with an installed capacity of assembling 18,000 units annually, our commitment has not wavered in terms of local content and job creation.”
These CNG buses, with sitting capacities ranging between 14 to 45 seats, are targeted to avail a wide range of the Nigerian market, while offering considerable reduction in operational costs compared to conventional petrol or diesel-powered buses.
It was also learnt during the launch that the buses can cover distances of up to 500 kilometres before being recharged, an added advantage in intra-city and intercity transportation.
Dana Motors is presenting the CNG buses as a solution for reducing transportation costs while at the same time contributing towards environmental sustainability. Besides their cost-effectiveness due to heavy cuts in fuel costs, CNG-powered buses promise lower emissions-a trend most countries are moving toward for cleaner energy in transport.
The Managing Director also said, “The company is ready to provide mobile CNG stations to big fleet operators across the country so that the refueling infrastructure will be in place to give full efficiency to those vehicles.”
Hathiramani further assured of Dana Motors’ commitment to supporting “the initiative of the government for popularising CNG as an alternative fuel by providing infrastructure, such as mobile CNG stations, mainly for fleet operators.”
In addition to the technological and economic benefits, Dana Motors is focused on ensuring that the buses are designed for comfort with state-of-the-art amenities for passengers.
Equipped with air conditioning, electric glass central lock, and audio-visual system, the buses offer not just practicality, but also comfort for everyday use.
This initiative by Dana Motors represents a strategic leap in the Nigerian automotive and energy landscape, with the company furthering its pioneering effort of introducing new innovative solutions into the local market for its needs.
Again, the company is leading the way with the introduction of these new CNG buses in order to ensure environmental sustainability and the development of Nigeria’s public transportation system.
Dana Motors is working in close collaboration with major stakeholders, including the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) among other agencies, to ensure that this will be one with long-reaching effects, setting a stage for new beginnings within the automotive sector.
