Since the advent of the Innoson made in Nigeria vehicles, Nigerian states especially South Eastern states have become the highest patronizing buyers using the brand for their fire service department, Police force, Road safety, and Civil safety, among others.
Recall that on 3 October 2013 Nigeria announced the introduction of a new automotive policy aimed at preventing the importation of fully assembled automobiles and encouraging local manufacturing. This seemed virtually impossible at the time.
However, Innoson Motors, a native company, introduced its vehicle brand and built on the local assembly successes of Hyundai and Nissan.
Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited, founded by Nigerian industrial boss Innocent Chukwuma, has unveiled its new cars – IVM Umu, IVM Umu and IVM Uzo, among others,- which has since been manufactured at the company’s factory in Nnewi, Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria.
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70% of the parts used in the construction of the cars were locally sourced, heralding the emergence of a local automotive industry that will serve the region in the near future.
The company has already announced its plans to take its brand to its West African neighbors, with the Republic of Benin and Ghana on the radar. In recent times, this dream of expansion is slowly becoming a reality as the company had already impressed several African nations with its trucks and buses.
The Innoson range of vehicles already has local sponsorship, unlike what happened in the past, when national manufacturers were suffocated by the lack of appreciation of their products.
Across Africa, locally made products are starting to gain respect and desired patronage through quality assurance and competitive pricing.
Peter Obi, a former governor of the Nigerian state of Anambra, where the Innoson plant is located, was a frequent purchaser of locally manufactured vehicles until he left office. This created trust in the brand as other states and the federal government became comfortable with the legacy.
The founder and automaker Chukwuma said Obi still sponsors his company.
The Federal Road Safety Commission of Nigeria (FRSC) is expected to receive even more of the Innoson pickup trucks soon.
