Nissan Delegation DiscussesVibrant Auto Market, Affordable Vehicles

Officials of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., from its headquarters in Japan, recently visited Nigeria to discuss strategies with the NationalAutomotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) on how to expand the capacity of the Nissan manufacturing facility to produce and supply affordably priced vehicles; create opportunity for workers, as well as ancillary firms and the communities. The visit, according to a statement by VON Nigeria, was part of on-going appraisal of Nissan’s vehicle assembly project in the country. Leader of the Nissan delegation, Senior Vice President Middle-East, Africa and India (AMI) Peyman Kargar said: “Our visit to the Nissan facility in Nigeria is aimed at helping the plant to sustain its status as a reassuring brand with proclivity for improved performance, sales and after sales.” Also adding that the time is right for Nigeria to sustainably and inclusively explore the gains of automotive policy to produce vehicles with unprecedented value, yet affordably priced, Mr. Kargar said: “Nigeria is one of Nissan’s most outstanding markets inAfrica growth strategy and we are ready to partner with the federal government to develop the market and explore the country’s strategic regional partners in the West Coast, to make Nigeria the automobile hub for evolving West African markets.” He said Nissan remains committed to the Nigerian economy, which has a strong potential of becoming Africa’s wealthiest country.

Kargar referred to Nigeria’s auto policy as exceptionally inclusive and thorough, one of the traits that inform Nissan’s eagerness to make a greater contribution in the Nigerian market. “We are happy to continue our collaboration with the government to transform Nigeria into a notable manufacturing and distribution hub,” he said. The six-man delegation was received by the NADDC Director General/CEO Jelani Aliyu before proceeding on to inspect the Stallion NMN facility at VON Automobile Nigeria. Other delegates include Nissan South Africa Managing Director/CEO Mike Whitfield, Managing Director Sales and Marketing Xavier Gobille, Director Sales and Operations Jim Dando as well as Africa, Middle East and India Managing Director Frederic Posez and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Programme, Product, Marketing Intelligence General manager Vincent Valdmann. Local Nissan custodian - Stallion NMN, member of the Stallion Group became the first indigenous stakeholder in 2014 to roll-out locally assembled Nissan vehicles consequent upon the ratification of the National Automotive Policy, assembling four Nissan models including Patrol SUV, NP300, NV350 and Almera.