Excitement as TATA Unveils 200th Locally Assembled Vehicle
The Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) or automotive policy, last week, recorded another milestone when Tata Africa Services (Nigeria) Limited rolled out the 200th locally assembled Tata-badged vehicle in collaboration with its partner, Iron Products Industries Ltd. It was indeed a celebrative atmosphere at the IPI Ltd in Ikotun, Lagos, as auto industry chieftains, including the Director, Industrial Infrastructure, National Automotive Design and Development Council{NADDC], welcomedthegarlanded TATA 16-18C light truck at the plant. In a symbolic gesture, the dummy key to the 200th TATA truck was presented to one of the brand’s loyal corporate customers, Cobil Nigeria Limited. The Managing Director, Mrs. O. F. Iloanusi, and one of the directors, D. Iloanusi, received the key to the TATA truck on behalf of Cobil. Predictably, both TATA and IPI management used the unveiling ceremony to reiterate their commitment to the development of the local auto industry through the production of good quality vehicles designed to meet the needs of the local market.
While assuring that increase in local content would lead to more competitively priced vehicles, the partners called for increased encouragement for the industry and the elimination of impediments to growth and development, including the influx of used vehicles. In his remarks, the Head of theAuto Division, Tata Africa Services (Nigeria), Suraj Prakash, assured the guests that in producing its vehicles in Nigeria, the fourth largest trucks maker in the world, would continue to pursue a local content programme that would ensure competitive pricing. “TATA Motors has a strong presence in Nigeria with investment of over 10 million dollars. We started assembly in 2016 in Nigeria which was well received by Nigerians. “Our vehicles are well assembled and cost effective and it is better. Our vehicles are durable, up to standard and made for the Nigerian terrain. We will like to have more of government’s support on automobile policy because importation of tokunbo {second-hand} vehicles is of great disadvantage. “Our vehicles are not expensive because most of the materials are sourced locally, so the cars are cost effective,’’ he said. The Managing Director of IPI Ltd, Nunu Diwan, disclosed that his company which is the leader in steel fabrication in the country, went into partnership with TATA Motors, following the introduction of the auto policy by the Federal Government, Stating that the plant assembled about four TATA trucks daily, Divan informed the guests that capacity utilisation could be increased if the need arose, even as he hinted of plans to move from assembling of the vehicles to actual manufacturing by sourcing most of the components locally.