CFAO, Kewalram form JV to improve Mitsubishi’s market in Nigeria

Vow to phase out fake spare-parts

A company, Massilia Motors Limited formed under a joint venture of CFAO and Kewalram Chanrai Group has emerged as the sole distributor of Mitsubishi Motors in Nigeria.

Announcing the development yesterday in Lagos, Managing Director of the new company, Thomas Pelletier, was optimistic that the joint venture would tackle key challenges, particularly after-sales and spare-parts and bolster the brand’s market share in the country.

Pelletier said: ‘’ ’The Massilia advantage is that we do not only sell cars, we consider our customers as stakeholders and provide solutions tailored to their needs. From counsel on the best product for each use to establishing a maintenance plan, we follow the customer through the product life cycle to ensure good value and a longer life span.”

Consolidated under the CFAO Group with a majority share of 51 per cent, Pelletier was concerned about the influx of fake spare-parts, stressing that the JV would improve the brand’s network across the country and clampdown on fake.

He said the brand aims to exceed customers’ expectations leveraging skilled technicians, who would be trained according to manufacturer’s requirements and expansion of its authorised dealer network and provision of service centres nationwide.

Pelletier said though the current economic situation did not allow adequate projection, the market remained a good destination for growth, adding that the organisation would introduce new models to strengthen its penetration in the marekt.

He lauded the recent ban on importation of vehicles through land borders but insisted market protection and market share remained critical factors to the feasibility of a robust automotive sector in Nigeria.

He disclosed that the firm may not assemble the Mitsubishi vehicles in Nigeria soon, as the parent company is not convinced on the outlook of the Federal Government’s automotive policy.

But as soon as the development in the sector becomes viable, the organisation would meet conditions to assemble the brand in the country, Deputy Managing Director, Kewalram Chanrai Group, Victor Eburajolo said.

He lamented that the purchasing power of Nigeria is drastically dropping, urging the government to come up with financing options that would enable Nigerians own brand new vehicles

The Deputy Managing Director, Massilia Motors, Kunle Jaiyesimi, government must consider enabling environment for car assemblers, stressing that the automotive bill currently being considered by the National Assembly must be passed into law to build investor’s confidence.