•Displays CS 55 Plus, CS 95, UNI-K & T
By Moses Akaigwe
L-R: Head, Marketing, Mikano Motors, Mrs. Karima Okunola; Chairman/CEO, Asia Group of Companies, Alhaji Sani Isa; Chairman/CEO, Mikano International Limited, Mr. Mofid Karameh; GM, Asia Group of Companies, Hajiyah Habibah Abubakar Yusuf; and Operation Manager, Mikano Motors, Syam Abdulkadir; during the Mikano Motors Gala night/display of Changan Auto in Lagos on Thursday, December 7, 2023
Mikano Motors, on Thursday, formally announced its partnership with the popular Changan Automobile in the Nigerian auto market, with a razzle-dazzle ceremony that featured the display of some of the brand’s new models.
Appropriately tagged Changan Corporate Gala Night, the event attracted a large number of high-profile guests at Mikano Motors iconic and award-winning showroom on Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The spectacular ceremony featured the display of the alluring Changen CS 95, CS 55 Plus and CS35 Plus SUVs, as well as the drive-in of the driverless UNI-T, and UNI-K crossover SUV,
The vehicles were given a flowery introduction, first by the delectable Mikano Motors Showroom manager, Grace Anasiudu, and later by the national sales manager, Chijioke Mbonu.
UNI-K, the flagship of the Changan range, like the ‘T’ sister, flaunts a breathtaking exterior design and a well trimmed interior with an array of features, including ventilated seats.
The UNI-K is being made available in Nigeria’s SUV market only a few months after its international debut.
In what was the first display of the autonomous vehicles technology in the Nigerian auto market, driverless Changan UNI-T was ushered to the centre of the showroom without a driver behind the steering wheel.
The standing ovation that welcomed the UNI-T continued even as the vehicle slowly rotated to show off all sides of its endowment.
Also on display, but outside the showroom were Alsvin V3, Hunter pickup, CS15 and CS35 Plus.
Addressing guests at the gala night, Mikano International Ltd Chairman, Mr. Mofid G. Karameh, expressed deep gratitude to Changan Automobile, one of China’s leading automakers for finding his Motors Division worthy of the partnership in Nigeria.
He earned applause when he announced that Mikano Motors had concluded plans to boost the nation’s passenger transportation system with 500 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses in support of the efforts of the Federal Government to ameliorate the effects of the recent subsidy removal.
The CNG buses, Karameh disclosed, would be arriving in the country in the next few months.
Like the Group Chairman, the Managing Director of Mikano Motors, Ralph Haidar, was upbeat about the success of the Changan vehicles his company is now marketing in Nigeria, hinting that completely knocked down (CKD) production would soon commence at its plant located at the Krameh City on the outskirts of Lagos.
Earlier, the Changan Business Development Director in charge of Africa, Ms Tracy Wand, who spoke virtually, congratulated Mikano Motors and the guests on the celebration of the Mikano-Changan partnership.
Speaking at the event, the Business Manager for the African Region, Lucas Chang, who was physically present, commended Mikano Motors for bringing the array of Changan vehicles to the Nigerian market.
Changan and Mikano Motors formed a strategic partnership in 2023, to bring Changan’s high-quality vehicles to the Nigerian market.
The Mikano-Changan partnership leverages on Mikano Motors’ established presence and expertise in the Nigerian automotive industry and Changan’s cutting-edge technology and global reputation.
The relationship aims to provide Nigerian customers with a wider range of affordable and reliable vehicles, backed by excellent service and support.
At the Corporate Gala Night, guests were informed that Changan Automobile is a leading Chinese automaker with a rich history of over 160 years, and has “a strong global presence with over 6,000 sales and service facilities in more than 60 countries.”
Mikano Motors also used the event to pledge its commitment to offering users of Changan vehicles in Nigeria excellent after-sales services, including a 24-hour roadside support, courtesy car replacement services, and a trade-in option for vehicles with up to five years of depreciation.
A statement made available at the event, assured, “Changan vehicles offer high quality, reliability, and affordability. With Mikano Motors, the vehicles come with a best-in-continent six-year/200,000km warranty and are supported by a network of Mikano Motors dealerships and service centers nationwide.”
Some of the guests at the gala night included friends and associates of Mikano International, envoys from the Chinese embassy, corporate executives, Lagos socialites and car enthusiasts.
Conspicuously present were popular music producer, Don Jazzy and some of his artiste friends