The Federal Government has plans to make cars accessible to all income earners through a low-interest car loan scheme. The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Jelani Aliyu, disclosed that the Government is working on various policies, including an auto finance fund.
The auto finance fund would enable more Nigerians and corporate organisations to access low-interest loans to acquire new cars and change existing vehicles that are due for replacement.
Aliyu made this known during the unveiling of the made-in-Nigeria Honda HR-V entry-level sport utility Vehicle in Nigeria, where he assured that efforts are ongoing to commence the implementation of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) which was reviewed and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.
About the NAIDP: It was drafted to make Nigeria a regional powerhouse in car manufacturing, through comprehensive development of the local automotive industry. It specifies several policy measures that are needed to revitalise the industry so that it can fulfill its potential to Nigeria’s economy in terms of job creation, local value addition, technology acquisition and as a precursor to our industrialization are embedded in the plan.
Nigeria’s manufacturing goal: Aliyu also reiterated the Government’s promise to reduce the importation of cars by drafting policies that will support the manufacturing and distribution of new vehicles in Nigeria.
“The Nigerian government through the NADDC is already working to accelerate the process of transition from the importation of used cars to the manufacture and distribution of new passenger vehicles, while providing a conducive legislative environment that would encourage the manufacturing of motor vehicles in Nigeria.
“The council’s focus and commitment remain on initiating policies, implementing strategies and bringing in world-class approaches that will make Nigeria become and remain the center for automotive development in Africa.”
Nigeria’s Honda SUV: The Made-in-Nigeria Honda sport utility vehicles (SUV) was recently unveiled by Honda Automobile Western Africa (HAWA) Limited. The company is pushing to position Nigeria as Africa’s leading car manufacturing hub.
The local assemblers of Honda Motor vehicles partnered with The Honda Place to manufactured the new made-in-Nigeria 2019 Honda HR-V entry-level SUV. The unveiling follows the rollout of Accord in July 2015 from HAWA Limited.
The Accord was rolled out to advance the production of Honda automobiles from Africa’s first Honda SKD (semi knock Down) facility at Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.
About Honda HR-V SUV: The car was manufactured for individual driving comfort. The new Honda HR-V will cater to the growing demand for functional and affordably priced entry-level SUV, while also closing the gap between upscale Honda variants including 3.5liter Pilot and 2.4liter CR-V.
Why it matters: The new made-in-Nigeria Honda HR-V SUV affirms Honda‘s quest to supply products that are of high quality but at a reasonable price. According to Akihiro Daido, the Managing Director of HAWA Limited, the new Honda HR-V marks the arrival of entry-level SUV from Honda into the Nigerian automobile market.
“Now, Nigerian customers can experience the power of our three SUVs: Honda Pilot 3.5litre, CR-V 2.4Litre and all new HR-V 1.8Litre.
“The Hi-Rider Revolutionary-Vehicle (HR-V) is a five-seater vehicle, proudly assembled in Nigeria with adherence to the Honda global production standards.”
Going a step further: Commenting on the effort of Honda in satisfying their customers after sales, THP Managing Director, Arun Rishi, said the company is committed to ensuring the satisfaction of customers extends beyond sales.
“We thrive not only in guaranteeing the joy of buying for the customers or the joy of selling for the dealership or the joy of creating for the manufacturer, but essentially, the joy of sustaining the product useable history, using our unrivalled after sales service support facilities located strategically across the country.”
HAWA Limited and The Honda Place have maintained a technical partnership lasting about 26-years. The business relationship between them began when HAWA Limited became the sole distributor for Honda automobiles in Nigeria.