peugeot-301

Peugeot 301

PAN Nigeria’s product – the Peugeot 301 – has emerged Car of the Year in a keen contest with another made-in-Nigeria car, Nissan Almera and Toyota’s Corolla. The lion-badged 301 took the top prize at the awards organised by Nigeria Auto Journalists Association in Lagos, Thursday night

In other categories, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class emerged Luxury Car of the Year. The three-pointed star limo was nominated alongside BMW 7 Series and Jaguar XJ. The SUV award went to Toyota Prado, while Ford Ranger triumphed in the pick-up category.

Toyota Hiace bagged the Mini Bus of the Year award, while the Heavy Truck of the Year was won by Mercedes-Benz Actros. Globe Hyundai and JetVan Mercedes were joint winners in the Outstanding New Entrant category, just as God is Good Motors got the plaque for the Most Safety Conscious Transport Company.

It did not surprise anyone at the Eko Hotel venue when the ultra-modern Nissan office on Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, was announced the winner of the showroom category, even as Pirelli received Tyre Brand of the Year. Chisco Transport was recognised for its operations on the West Coast of Africa, while CFAO’s Yamaha was voted Motorcycle brand of the Year.

In the personalities categories, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, was awarded Road Safety Personality of the Year; the President of Coscharis Group, Dr. Cosmas Maduka got the Auto Personality of the Year award, and the Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo was voted the outstanding CEO.

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Very deservedly, the late Executive Director of Nigeria Auto Manufacturers Association (NAMA), Mr. Arthur Madueke was honoured post-humously for his unparalleled contributions to the auto industry. He was tirelessly in the vanguard of the struggle for the entrenchment of the auto policy. His son, Bosah Madueke, was present to received the award.

The Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, who presented some of the awards, commended the auto journalists for organising, even as he tasked the sectors’ key players to invest in the development of the local industry.
According to him, “as we celebrate and bestow honour we will like to state that it is pertinent for us to begin to invest in the Nigerian “car”. We are long overdue for such. There are a few of such in Nigeria. While we import most cars as CKDs or such other forms we bring them in, we must now commence a process of investing in building local content into it. The Nigeria Auto Journalists are eminently placed to champion this cause”.

In his remarks, the Corps Marshal who was represented by the Zonal Commanding Officer for Lagos/Ogun state, Assistant Corps Marshal Shehu Zaki, assured that the corps would continue to collaborate with the press in ensuring that road traffic crashes are reduced.
Welcoming the guests, the Chairman of NAJA, Mr. Frank Kintum said: “Journalists, being watchdogs of the society, have a responsibility of reviewing activities as they unfold…In discharging one of our responsibilities as watchdogs, we organise the annual NAJA which recognises products and persons that have stood out during the year”.

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Source: Sunnewsonline