Elizade Motors, reputable distributor of Chinese JAC vehicles in Nigeria has requested and got the commitment of the vehicle manufacturers to fine-tune their vehicles to fit the Nigerian environment, particularly the roads and weather conditions.
The fine-tuning was done based on series of tests carried out by Elizade which gave out the cars and light trucks to companies to use for specific period and to give feedback after.
A test drive of three of these vehicles, the JAC J5 cars 1.5 litre and 1.8 litre were put to the test last Saturday through the streets of Lagos to feel their strength.
It was obvious that the cars have sturdy shock absorbers to match the state of Lagos and Nigeria roads and the cooling system also fits.
In Nigeria today there are different automobile brands but a recurring challenge has been durability and ability to withstand our environment-road, temperature, among others.
Another challenge has been that of perception for vehicles coming from Asia, particularly from China. The questions usually asked are whether Chinese vehicles are really durable? If they can give value for money? Are they truly comfortable?
These were the issues Elizade, a name known for quality for over 40 years, had to grapple with in its choice to partner with the Chinese brand JAC. JAC ranks as the number one and number four commercial and passenger car manufacturer in China respectively.
Marketing Director of Elizade, Mr. Olu Tikolo said over two years ago when the company decided to distribute the JAC brand in the country, his company decided to put some units to test by giving out to taxi drivers and fleet users.
The result of the test drive, according to him, was very satisfactory because the vehicles were subjected to daily usage on different and tough terrain in different parts of the country by different drivers.
The feedback, Tikolo said, was very encouraging as his company has thereafter improved tremendously on the offerings of the different models. Reinforced suspension, fuel efficiency, efficient air conditioning system etc.
The J5 test drive on some Lagos roads, showed that the car was able to withstand some of the bad roads and even pot holes that the car was deliberately driven on. The shock absorbers did not fail.
The traffic jam on Lagos roads is nothing to worry about because of the powerful air conditioning system and smooth sounds from the auto set to keep you company. Besides, there is minimal cabin noise.
One is also impressed with the car which comes in 1.5 litre and 1.8 litre engines, as the rear sensor is a safety feature that guides against crash; the tyre pressure detection function and the Formica dash board finishing also add to good finishing.
There also the J3, which may not give same comfortable features, but what stands the JAC models out is the fact that they are all coming with reinforced suspensions and fuel efficient technology.
Elizade distributes both passenger and commercial JAC vehicles. Among the passenger cars are the J5, J4, J3 and the soon to arrive Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). For the commercial segment-1.5 tonnes, 2.5 tonnes, 3.5 tonnes and 4 tonnes trucks. The J5 which is the sedan top of the range, comes with leather and cloth seats as well as automatic transmission.
Head of Elizade Autoland, saddled with the JAC brand, Mr. Ademola Adewunmi reasoned that the successes recorded so far with the JAC brand is not unconnected with the pedigree of Elizade in the auto business as well as the features of the brand. According to him, customers automatically enjoy three years warranty or 100,000 kilometres for all models of JAC, even as his company has well trained technicians and spare parts to deal with after-sales issues.
Founded in 1964, JAC annual complete vehicle production capacity has reached 700,000, and engine production capacity of 500,000. JAC has a national level technology R&D center and established the first overseas design center of the Chinese automotive industry in Turin, Italy, in June 2005. In October 2006, JAC’s second independent overseas design center was established in Tokyo, Japan.
JAC has been constantly improving product quality and the level of management, and has been named “Recommended Brand for Export”, “The Most Competitive Brand on the Market”, “Enterprise for Exemption from Export Inspection”, and “National Quality Award” by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Machinery & Electronics Products, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China, and the China Quality Association, symbolizing the company’s product quality and management level have reached the most advanced international standards.
JAC has exported to South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and other regions and established good cooperation relations with more than 120 countries around the world.
Their light commercial vehicles have maintained top place for sales of a Chinese brand for 13 consecutive years, and their passenger cars have seen the fastest growth and also have high sales, which have effectively enhanced the brand image of JAC and Chinese automobile products
JAC has been constantly improving product quality and the level of management, and has been named “Recommended Brand for Export”, “The Most Competitive Brand on the Market”, “Enterprise for Exemption from Export Inspection”, and “National Quality Award” by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Machinery & Electronics Products, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China, and the China Quality Association, symbolizing the company’s product quality and management level have reached the most advanced international standards.
JAC has exported to South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and other regions and established good cooperation relations with more than 120 countries around the world.
Their light commercial vehicles have maintained top place for sales of a Chinese brand for 13 consecutive years, and their passenger cars have seen the fastest growth and also have high sales, which have effectively enhanced the brand image of JAC and Chinese automobile products.
F-Type SVR is Jaguar’s Fastest Production Vehicle Yet
T
he Jaguar F-Type SVR is the British automaker’s fastest series production vehicle yet.
Officially unveiled ahead of its public debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the F-Type SVR is Jaguar’s first Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) model and does the zero-to-60 mph sprint in just 3.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 200 mph.
Priced from $126,945 including destination for the coupe and $129,795 for the convertible, the 2017 Jaguar F-Type SVR will arrive starting this summer.
Under the hood stars a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine that has been recalibrated to deliver 575 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.
Helping improve the sports car’s cooling system are revised charge air coolers and redesigned hood vents as well as enlarged air intakes in the front bumper. Fitted as standard is a lightweight Inconel titanium exhaust system that also helps get rid of 35 pounds of mass from the vehicle compared to the F-Type R.
With no optional equipment, the F-Type SVR weighs in 55 lbs lighter than the all-wheel-drive F-Type R, but can be as much as 110 lbs lighter when equipped with options like Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brakes and a carbon fiber roof.
The 2017 Jaguar F-Type SVR will come standard with 20-inch wheels paired to 265/35/ZR20 (front) and 305/30/ZR20 (rear) Pirelli P Zero tires.
On the inside, Jaguar has outfitted the model with cosseting 14-way SVR performance seats finished in Jet leather with a distinctive Lozenge Quilt pattern, contrast stitching and micro-piping and headrests embossed with the SVR logo. Customers also have the option of Siena Tan or red leather upholstery.
AUTOMEDICS Provides Platform for Products, Services
AUTOMEDICS has pioneered Nigeria’s first 24/7 Interactive Voice Response (IVR) service to support motorists and technicians who need help in respect of the vehicular assets in their custody.
The group said at the launch that “because all the hundreds or thousands of calls to this T1 line, which you can test immediately, 01-440-66-66 (this is a line that will accommodate 140 callers simultaneously), will be initiated by motorists and mechanics; there can be no better platform to target adverts (like car loans, vehicle insurance, lubricants and other auto products/services) to automobile-using/dependent end users than this innovative IVR service.”
Automedics Ltd is a well-known value-adding agent to motorists and practitioners of the automotive maintenance/repair industry in Nigeria; especially through our popular live and interactive automobile-solution-providing radio programme, via which thousands of motorists in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Ilorin and Abeokuta (these are the cities where the Automedics radio show is broadcast daily or thrice weekly) and auto technicians weekly get help to resolve problems afflicting vehicles in their possession.
To place conventional audio advert(s)/jingle(s) of your business to the hearing of the thousands of motorists that will call into the IVR service from its launch on the 3rd week of January, 2016, or get a specially-branded corporate-sponsored FREE call option integrated for your brand in the IVR architecture, kindly let us arrange a meeting to that effect, said, the Chief Operating Officer of the company, Gbola Oba.
Weststar Displays Mercedes-Benz Trucks at Africa Build Lagos
Weststar Associates Limited, the Authorised General Distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria, displayed the strength of Mercedes-Benz heavy-duty vehicles at the AfricaBuild Lagos.
The AfricaBuild Lagos, is the premier international construction event in West Africa and it is seen as an ideal entry point to Nigeria, being the largest economy in Africa and the 7th most populous country in the world.
Weststar, which participated actively as an exhibitor and as the Platinum Sponsor, presented a formidable lineup of light and heavy-duty trucks and buses.
These included the Mercedes-Benz Actros (Tractor, Mixer and Tipper); Atego; and Mercedes-Benz Vario. Also on display were buses: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (Ambulance); Sprinter Bus; and Panel Van.
These Mercedes-Benz product lines in the Commercial Vehicles segment were displayed together with the over 90 other exhibitors expected from 16 countries who displayed all of the latest in building/onstruction machinery and technology at the event that took place at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Darryl Pawsey, Regional Industry Director, ITE Build & Interiors Division, stated that Nigeria’s booming economy and its ever growing construction market are major attractions for international suppliers and the 2016 launch of AfricaBuild Lagos is intended to stimulate international investment into Nigerian construction industry and capitalize on the lack of international players in its unsaturated, growing market’.
Africabuild Lagos’ is an international Building & Construction Exhibition put together by fairtrade Messe und Ausstellungs GmbH & Co. KG, - an international body that ranks among the leading organisers of professional international trade fairs in emerging markets, and in dedication to Nigeria’s Vibrant construction industry, “we are delighted to consolidate effort with the team in building Nigeria tough an strong,” said Mirko Plath - MD, CEO, Weststar Nigeria.
Auto Assembling: Stakeholders Urge Govt Patronage
Stakeholders in the automotive industry have urged the government to ensure it supports local auto assemblers by way of patronising their products and services.
Speaking on different occasions, the stakeholders reasoned that since government is a major purchaser of brand new vehicles, a deliberate policy to direct its orders from local auto assemblers would go a long way in ensuring the success of the new auto policy.
It would be recalled that when the National Auto Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) was introduced in 2013, some auto companies were forced to set up plants, with PAN Kaduna re-investing in its plant. VON, Lagos and Innoson in Nnewi were the other two prominent names that made headlines. PAN started the production of 301 and 508 sedan and luxury sedan respectively, while Innoson produces IVM 6490, an SUV and IVM 500 bus among others.
Chairman, Automobile and Allied Sectoral Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries, LCCI, Dr. Oseme Oigiagbe, noted that though low patronage was a factor adversely affecting the local auto industry, the foreign exchange crunch is also a major issue.
He called on government to encourage local auto assemblers through the 2016 budget by way of ensuring that they given priority in patronage against importers of Fully Built Up FBU vehicles.
Oseme noted that the “budget as it is today does not have policy measures to discourage importation of used cars”, which was a major step towards making a success of the revised auto policy.
Auto industry analyst, Dr. Oscar Odiboh, bemoaned the sorry state of the auto industry, even as he noted that Innoson Motors is only one of the many auto companies that are down-sizing staff.
He said: “The reality on ground is affecting everybody. I know of a company that has sacked half of its work force, some others are busy converting staff from full time employment to contract staff, even when it is against the labour law to do so. When government says companies should not down size, how do you want them to pay their staff when you don’t buy vehicles from them?”
Also speaking, Chairman of the Guild of Motoring Correspondents, GMC, a pressure group in the local auto sector, Mr. Frank Kintum reasoned that the auto industry plays very important roles in the economy of any country.
According to him, the Federal Government should at all times pay premium attention on issues affecting the industry as “a healthy auto industry serves a as catalyst for the growth of all other sectors, aside its contribution to the GDP.”
Kintum said: “Don’t forget that in Nigeria, we rely heavily on road transportation for both passenger and cargo movements. Hence, it is only reasonably that the government takes more seriously the implementation of the auto policy so that the country benefits in terms of value added while making use of this means of transportation. We commend the National Assembly for its promise to patronise Innoson vehicles, but it should also consider other local auto assemblers”.
The importance of the auto industry cannot be over-emphasised, as it is a major employer of labour, significant contributor to GDP, as well as a chief facilitator of technology transfer among others.
According to the International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (IOCA), the auto industry was the greatest engine of economic growth, just as the industry waßs a key sector of the economy of all major powers in the world.
Strap and Buckle Your Child-Use A Car Restraint
The car stops in the first tenth of a second, but you keep on at the same rate you were going in the car until something stops you - the steering wheel, dashboard or windshield - if you’re not wearing your safety belt.. Bad enough at 15 miles an hour, but at 30 miles you hit “the wall” four times as hard as you would at 15. Or to put it another way, with the same impact you’d feel as if you fell three stories. A properly worn safety belt keeps that second collision - the human collision - from happening. Quite revealing and frightening, you might say.
Now, the reasons I hear people give for not using seatbelt is also quite revealing and interesting. They go like this: “I can’t have a crash, I’m a good driver”. But a bad driver could crash into you. Or you could have a sudden stop. “They’re so uncomfortable”. Wouldn’t you rather be uncomfortable than be endangered? “The belt will trap me”. Little chance of that happening. And the best place to be during a crash is in your car. If you’re thrown out of a car, you’re 25 times more likely to die. And if you need to get out in a hurry, in the event of fire or other danger, you stand a better chance of doing that when you’re conscious and not knocked out inside the car.
As I wrap up my piece on seat belt, let me now focus on the use of child restrain by children. So if you are parent, I urge you not to wait until tragedy strikes before you do the right thing in keeping with the provisions of section 126(1) of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 which makes it mandatory for all occupants of a vehicle to use a seatbelt for their safety? Do you know that this provision covers children, also as it states that, ‘every vehicle shall have fitted in the front and rear seats, seat belt and child safety seats which shall be securely worn by the driver and other occupants of the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion. In sub section 3, it says, ‘the driver of a motor vehicle shall be responsible for the children who are passengers in such a vehicle and shall ensure the proper use of child locks and child safety seats. Child safety seat laws require children to travel in approved child restraints or booster seats and some permit or require older children to use adult safety belts. The age at which belts can be used instead of child safety seats is stated. Young children usually are covered by child safety seat laws, while safety belt laws cover older children and adults. There are different tyres such as the rearward facing baby seat, forward facing seats, booster seats, booster cushion etc. it is important you use the appropriate one suitable for your child’s weight and size and correctly fitted, it is the weight of the child which that is important when deciding what type to use . Despite this provision, most parents unfortunately do not see any sense in protecting children while driving by strapping them. Some lap them. Others leave them unattended in moving vehicles.Some claim strapping these kids in a car seat is alien.This group maintain that strapping children in a car is meant for the Whiteman,not a blackmanI believe this group knows what they are saying.Afterall,these vehicles were manufactured in Oshodi by our engineers. Others say the cost for a car seat is high even though the cheapest among these cars cost as low as 500,000 naira while others go for as high as 5million naira, compared to car seats which range from just about 25,000 naira for the protection of the life of God’s precious gift. These same parents would not mind hanging out with friends and business partners to spend thousands on drinks, pepper soup and other extras.The female ones would prefer spending thousands of naira on designer shoes and bags, but not on the safety of their children.This is what we call choices.
Remember that Road safety crisis is the leading cause of preventable death; the 3rd largest cause of disabilities. In Africa it is the 2nd largest cause of death after Aids/HIV. These deaths, according to the study are caused mostly by human error, and vehicle factors that include the following;overspeeding,dangerous overtaking, alcohol and drug abuse, negligence of drivers, poor driving standards, overloaded people or goods vehicles, poor tyre maintenance, burst tyre, bad roads and hilly terrain, negligence of pedestrians, distraction of drivers by passengers,cell phone use among others.The truth is that the World is concerned about child safety.This is because road traffic injuries alone are the leading cause of death among children 15-19years and the second leading cause among 10-14 years old.These injuries are not inevitable.They are preventable.Ironically most parents are notconcerned,going by their actions behind the wheels.Signs of these concern are legion.They include the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by almost all government, which states that children around the world have a right to a safe environment, and to protection from injury and violence. The Convention stresses the responsibilities of society to protect children (from birth up to the age of 18years).The 2000 United Nations Millennium Development Goals resolution sets as its fourth goals, the need to reduce by two thirds the mortality rates of children under the age of 5years.
In 2002, the United Nations General Assembly held a special session on children, from which a document, A World Fit for Children, was produced. This document sets out a number of health goals for children. One of such goals which is specific to injuries calls on all Member States to,’’reduce child injuries due to accidents or other causes through the development and implantation of appropriate measures.’’ In 2005, the same WHO and UNICEF issued calls for greatly expanded global effort to prevent child injury. This was followed in 2006 by WHOs’ ten year plan of activities on child injury.
In addition,the WHO/UNICEF in 2008 in a report, titled, World report on Child injury prevention, expressed concern that every day around the world, the lives of more than 2000families are torn apart by the loss of a child to an unintentional injury or so-called ‘’accidents’’ that could have been prevented.”
’It noted that children injuries have been neglected for many years. Children’s maturity and their interest and needs differ from adults, the report further stated.Therefore; simply reproducing injury prevention strategies that are relevant to adult does not adequately protect children, it warned. The report affirmed that there are proven interventions such as child seat which is the trust of this campaign.
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