With the objective of showcasing the drive capacities, strength and the sophistication in its range of Chinese vehicles, which are locally assembled in Nigeria, Zahav Automobile, a division of Stallion Motors over the weekend hosted a test drive of the vehicles in Lagos.

Ranging from its 1.5 litre Baic S3 DVVT, 1.5litre Baic M20 (aka Kembo), the 1.5 tonne Mitsubishi engine powered Foton Tunland pick-up; 1.6 litre Changan EADO executive sedan, and Foton View CS2 (18-seater bus), the vehicles proved their value to speak of the extra effort the manufacturers may have made to compete globally.

Zahav Automobile Company is the assembler and distributor of Chinese designed Changan and BAIC passenger cars and Stallion badge Force and Foton Tunland pickups; minibus and vans.

The company’s Quality Assurance Manager, Kavi Kumar said: “Zahav was conceived to cater for value line automobile brands such as Foton, Jinbei, Baic and Changan brand of vehicles.”

He explained that the plant which was built with installed capacity for 12, 000 vehicles yearly currently roll out 20 per cent of its installed capacity owing to inadequate demand.

He stated that that the plant would commence activity fully soon as the Federal Government completely implements the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) with definitive restrictions on used import vehicles.

Kumar said: “the Changan sedan was designed by Italian Carminati Stefano and currently produces 2.8 million cars per annum to rank among foremost selling vehicles in China while the BAIC Group who recently acquired Swedish SAAB technology for styling and power-train is rated No. 5 largest automotive groups in China.”

According to him, the plant engages 45 indigenous technicians and experts in one shift to produce competitively priced vehicles that are priced 20 per cent cheaper than its Korean rivals,”

The company’s head of sales and marketing, Sanjay Rupani said: “though the vehicles are of Chinese extraction, they all inherit the DNA of renowned automobile manufacturers – Daimler Automotive Company and Cummins Engine Company.

Rupani described the vehicles as ergonomically designed with an ideal mix of style, practicality and attractive lines like the American and Japanese styled cars to woo discerning drivers who want exceptionally trendy kind of vehicles.

 

Source: The Guardian Nigeria