•Innoson, Stallion, Coscharis, GAC, Mikano, Dangote win laurels
By Moses Akaigwe
The parlous state of Nigeria’s automotive manufacturing sector, once again, came to the fore on recently when some stakeholders called for urgent concerted efforts to rev up activities in the industry.
Speaking at the Nigeria Auto Journalist Association, NAJA Awards, in Lagos the Deputy Managing Director of CFAO Motors, Kunle Jaiyesimi, lamented that despite the huge investments made by various companies following the introduction of the Automotive Policy, the industry has remained in a near sleepy state.
He made the remarks while rendering a vote of thanks on behalf of the award recipients at the event, including Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Ltd, Stallion Motors, CIG Motors {who’s GAC GS4 won the Car of the Year {COTY}, MIikano Motors, Dangote Peugeot, Toyota Nigeria, R. T. Briscoe, Micking Oil, as well as Lanre Shittu Motors, and many others.
‘Kunle Jaiyesimi himself, and the R.T. Briscoe Nigeria Plc Group Managing Director/CEO, ‘Seyi Onajide, were both honoured at the NAJA Awards with the Auto Personality of the Year.
The CFAO DMD said it was disturbing that many of the automakers invested billions in both naira and dollar to set up assembly facilities that are currently operating at the lowest levels of their installed capacities.
He, therefore, called on stakeholders and umbrella bodies in the industry to come together and strategise on how to redirect the attention of the government to the situation in order to get the plants active.
In a special award interview, Onajide decried the lethargic implementation of the Nigeria Automotive Industry Development Plan {NAIDP}, also called the Auto Policy.
He said it was unfortunate that some of the measures that came with the policy have been implemented in a situation way that it is now more expensive to assemble vehicles in Nigeria than it is to import fully built up units.
Also reviewing the industry in an interview, the Executive Director of Lanre Shittu Motors, Taiwo Shittu, called on government to activate the relevant parts of the NAIDP which provide for the encouragement of auto content manufacturers to set up production facilities in Nigeria in order to feed the local assembly plant with inputs.
Shittu stated, “Government must provide policies to make the component manufacturers come to Nigeria and build factories. There is a big market for them here. But, there is no policy yet to make them come.”
Award winners
Apart from Innoson and Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and JAC were also among various auto brands that received award plaques at the 11th {2022 edition of} NAJA Awards held at the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Over 30 awards were presented in various categories at the event.
Other winners were Lanre Shittu Motors, CFAO Motors, R.T. Briscoe, Mikano, Elizade Autoland, Stallion Motors, Coscharis, Jet Systems and Autochek.
The event which was attended by very important personalities in the industry, including a representative of the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dauda Ali Biu, saw the GAC GS4 winning the COTY crown.
Predictably, one of the biggest awards on the night, the Assembly Plant of the Year, went to the Nnewi-based indigenous automaker, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Ltd, represented by the General Manager {Sales}, Obum Osigwe.
The three-pointed star of the Mercedes-Benz brand, distributed in Nigeria by Weststar Associates Ltd, shone brightly as the representative of the company stepped out to receive the Luxury Brand of the Year award. Toyota Land Cruiser was adjudged the SUV of the Year, while Range Rover (Autobiography) clinched the Luxury SUV trophy.
Also at the well-attended award night, Toyota Hilux emerged the Pickup of the Year. The Mini Bus award also went to Toyota Nigeria for its popular Hiace. The awards were received by the
Manager Advert and Public Relations, Mrs. Bukky Ogunnusi, and the Marketing Manager, Bayo Olawoyin.
The Chinese Bus of the Year award went to Foton View C2 provided in the Nigerian market by Kewalram.
Suzuki S-Presso picked the Budget Car award, while JAC J7 drove home with the Outstanding Design prize.
It was double for Lanre Shittu as its JAC plant won in both the Truck Plant and the Large Truck categories.
Mikano Motors Division’s showroom on Adeola Odeku street, Victoria Island, Lagos, won the award for the best showroom.
Stallion Bajaj Keke Ltd was declared the winner in the three-wheeler segment, while Stallion Motors was also named the Multi-brand Assembler of the Year.
Jet System received the Electric Auto Company plaque; just as Micking emerged the Oil brand winner; and Nord won the Best Innovative Auto Company award. Autochek got the prize for online auto finance and marketing.
The duo of R.T. Briscoe and Mandilas Motors were honoured as the most resilient auto companies, and the General manager, Mandilas Mobility Division, Kemi Koyejo, received the award on behalf of the latter {Mandilas}.
The new Peugeot franchise owner in Nigeria which also operates an assembly plant in Kaduna – Dangote Peugeot – won the Most Resilient Auto Brand award which was received by Okey Nwankwo of Dangote Group’s head office in Lagos. Popular road transport company, .GUO Transport, was also on the awardees’ list
The organisers also honoured, albeit posthumously, the late Vice President of Coscharis Group, Mrs. Charity Maduka, and the late Chairman of Globe Motors, Willie Anumudu, for contributing to the growth and development of Nigeria’s auto industry.
While the Executive Director, Special Duties & After-sales, Coscharis Motors, Cosmas Junior Maduka, and the General Manager, Marketing & Corporate Communication, Abiona Babarinde, represented the Madukas and the Coscharis Group, Globe Motors Managing Director, Victor Oguamalam, represented the Anumudus and the company.
Mrs. Maduka and her husband, Dr. Cosmas Maduka, built Coscharis from zero to one of the biggest business empires in Nigeria today with investments in various sectors of the economy.
Remarks
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of NAJA, Mike Ochonma, said the awards were intended to recognise remarkable performances of auto brands, assembly plants and personalities that are creating value in the sector based on set criteria.
The criteria, according to him, include brand value, market leadership and business strategy against their peers in the past year under review.
Commenting on the awards, Jaiyesimi commended NAJA for its consistency over the years, noting that the recognition by the association was an indication that various contributions by stakeholders do not go unnoticed.
Speaking specifically on the award presented to CFAO, Jaiyesimi said, “It is gratifying that our many years of commitment and mindful service, with our clients’ needs at heart, are still yielding great results.
“We are deeply honoured to receive this award. To be recognized by NAJA, an umbrella body for auto journalists in Nigeria, is a fulfilling achievement for us. This award is about defining our role towards creating value for our employees, customers, shareholders, communities and the society at large.”