Isuzu to begin vehicle assembling in Nigeria by Q2 2016
KONCEPT Autocentre Limited, authorised dealer
of Isuzu vehicles in Nigeria has stated that it will
commence assemblage of the brand in Nigeria
from second quarter of next year.
With an initial arrangement to roll out
light trucks, Isuzu said that the
organisation was confident that Federal
Government’s automotive policy, which
is targeting to make Nigeria Africa’s
automobile hub in the near future would
yield positive results.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos to
unveil the plan, Director of Koncept
Autocentre, Victor Eborajolo, said that
the new plant which is located at the
firm’s premises in Lagos, is undergoing
rapid development and currently at the
final stage of the completion of the
assembly lines.
We have the license from the Nigerian
Automotive Development and Design. We
have finalised the models and logistics to
process and the assembly construction is
going on at the moment.
There is a lot of write up in the paper
about this policy. Those who are
benefiting from and not assembling are
spending money getting publications in
the papers insinuating that the policy
will not work but we are not deterred.
We are confident that the policy will
work. We have very close relationship
with the National Automotive Council
and we have close relationship with
those down the line that are involved in
this policy and we are encouraged by the
present government”, he stated.
Speaking about the quality of what will
be rolled out from the plant, Eborajolo
said: “When we start to assemble, I want
to assure that the quality will remain the
same. Isuzu has said one of their main
businesses is to ensure that the quality of
what we produce in Nigeria meets
international standard.
As a revered Japanese brand, we have to
follow due processes and standards
before the Isuzu brand would be
approved for operation of the plant,” he
added, noting that the company would
make sure that everything in the plant
follow International standard.
Meanwhile the leader of the Japanese
team from Isuzu Keisuke Shimoyama
expressed confidence in their
partnership with Koncept Autocentre,
describing Nigeria as a very important
market to Isuzu.
The General Manager, Koncept
Autocentre, Gaurav Kaul said he was
satisfied with the growth of Isuzu in
Nigeria in the last one year, saying that
the organisation has captured about
seven per cent of the light truck market
share in Nigeria despite the challenges in
the sector.
According to him, Isuzu has come to stay
in Nigeria, just like the Kewalram
Chanrai Group (Owners of Koncept
Autocentre) which has been in Nigeria
for more than 110 years.
“Isuzu is doing well considering the
challenges in the country presently.
There has been massive increase of
Isuzu trucks on Nigerian roads,” he said,
adding that when the plant becomes
operational in Nigeria, there will be
possibility of exporting the vehicles
outside the country”, Kaul said.
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