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•New Eeco passenger carrier, delivery van too
By Moses Akaigwe
Emboldened by an impressive sales performance last year, which underscored Suzuki vehicles’ unique selling points, including remarkable fuel efficiency, Suzuki by CFAO, a subsidiary of the CFAO Group, has engaged in top gear its aggressive push to sustain the momentum for the Japanese brand.
The authorised distributor of Suzuki in Nigeria on Friday took the automotive market by storm with the twin marketing action of unveiling the all-new Grand Vitara SUV, and announcing its return to the passenger and logistics segment with the new Eeco.
With both seven-seater and two-seater variants, the new Eeco guarantees prospective corporate and individual buyers good returns on investment, whether the vehicle is deployed as a passenger carrier or as van for goods delivery.
Addressing motoring journalists in Lagos hours before the official unveiling of the Grand Vitara and the Eeco panel van and passenger mini buses, Aissatou Diouf, general manager, Suzuki by CFAO, stated that the latest model-change SUV is completely different from the predecessor models.
Diouf mentioned some specific areas the Grand Vitara has benefitted from the tremendous model improvement as exterior design cues and interior finishing, in addition to being imbued with amazing technology and lots of comfort.
While the all-new Grand Vitara has a starting price tag of N22 million, the Eeco mini-buses are sold at N9.5 milllion.
It would be recalled that in 2022, Suzuki by CFAO sold over 3,500 units across all models – making the franchisee one of the most successful automotive dealerships in Nigeria which earned it a number of outstanding industry awards.
The Grand Vitara, she noted, is a new SUV model conceptualised, designed and developed by Suzuki and also benefitted from a number of collaborations with Toyota.
Diouf said that the automaker has developed the new ‘sheriff’ in town as a global flagship SUV that showcases the best of the automotive brand design, trendsetting technology and amazing on and off-road performance.
With powerful exterior styling, flushed hood and crafted chrome grill, its long shoulders emphasize the overall length while the shoulder line and the front/rear fenders, gives it a muscular and assertive SUV exterior.
Conducting the automotive journalists round the all-new Grand Vitara, the General Manager pointed out that the front face with distinctive three-point signature lamps, chrome grille bar which connects right and left lamps, and polygonal grille adds up to give the all-new Grand Vitara a premium look.
Sophisticated layered instrument panel expresses luxury while the thick console enhances the appearance as a confident SUV, just as the black and burgundy dual tone interior with silver stitched synthetic leather in the instrument panel and the trims create a luxurious cabin.
Apart from the ventilated seats and 360 view camera, it also offers built-in Suzuki Connect, wireless charging and rear AC vents that contributes to great comfort.
In addition to Smart Hybrid, it also offers Intelligent Electric Hybrid, the first system for Suzuki to be introduced in some markets. The 4WD variant is equipped with Allgrip Select for the first time, a system that allows the driver to choose from four selectable driving modes.
With the introduction of the all-new Grand Vitara in the mid-SUV segment and expanding its SUV line-up, Suzuki is likely to expand its share of the market in Nigeria.
Suzuki by CFAO also demonstrated its readiness to play big in the small mini-bus segment with the unveiling of the 1.2 litre two-seater Eeco panel van and the 7-seater passenger mini bus that will meet the needs of commercial transport operators and logistics operators.
Aimed primarily at last-mile cargo deliveries, the event industry, school runs, the pharmaceutical supplies, florists and any other urban freight service, the Eeco has a large rear single-door opening as well as sliding doors on either side to facilitate loading and unloading in any position or space.
The cargo box itself is 1,620 mm long by 1 300 mm wide and 1,070 mm tall with no intrusion from the wheel arches. In fact, the whole vehicle construction is quite ingenious with a good portion of the engine and the battery located beneath the front passenger seat.
With the full length of the Eeco measuring 3,673 mm with 1,475 mm wide riding on a wheelbase of 2,350 mm and 13-inch wheels and tyres, it is undeniably cute and well priced.
The cabin space is enough for two passengers to sit quite comfortably. The Eeco comes standard with dual front crash bags, anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, and manual air-conditioning. It is factory-fitted with the wiring for a radio and comes with 12-volt power socket.
