Stallion, Bajaj kick off first Keke rally across Nigeria

Stallion Bajaj has flagged off the first keke rally in the country.

The Keke rally comprises a convoy of five tricycles, commonly known in Nigeria as Keke, with their experienced riders, a branded truck for customer engagement and market activation and security agents, among others.

The rally, which kicked off at the Stallion Bajaj showroom at Ijesha, Lagos, is expected to cover 5,000 kilometres driving through 28 cities in 16 states nationwide.

According to the company, the rally aims to attest to the strength of Bajaj Keke on Nigerian roads.

The team is also scheduled to visit identified cultural sites in a comprehensive exercise designed to prove that ‘Bajaj drives faster and lasts longer’’.

Speaking at the launch in Lagos, Managing Director, Stallion Auto Keke Ltd, Manish Rohtagi, said Bajaj is the pioneer keke brand in Nigeria that is well known for its durability, speed and overall performance and is loved by millions.

He assured that the new distributorship would bring immense value to the dealers, fleet owners, riders and consumers, stressing that Stallion’s advantage lies in its de-centalised operation and quicker decision-making, which will help drive operating efficiency. The business is expected to grow at a much faster rate as Stallion will actively push for the adoption of keke by existing partners and the customer ecosystem.

“It will bring differentiated customer service, and ease of spare part availability through its existing footprints in the auto industry,” he said.

The Managing Director also disclosed that plans were underway to engage more dealers across the country and provide first class after-sales support aimed at quick service within four hours, rider training schools and rider and mechanic empowerment programmes.

Stallion Bajaj boasts a network of sales and service outlets in 96 locations spread across Nigeria and plans to add 30 more exclusive and MFS (multi franchisee services) outlets by the end of 2020, taking the count to 126. The areas of focus would be Ilorin, Yola, Warri, Benin, Yenogoa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Lokoja and Bauchi.

It was also disclosed that the company has invested in a state-of-the-art central auto parts and service centre in Lagos to support the distribution of genuine parts across the country.

Giving insights into the tricycles, Rohtagi said: “The authorised service centres across the nation only deal in genuine spare parts provided by the company making durability its brand promise. The Bajaj keke are manufactured in a state-of-the-art assembly plant in VON, Gbagada, Lagos employing the best-in-class, home-grown technicians.”

Besides dealers, potential buyers and lovers of the brand, were excited by the announcement that the new distributor would soon introduce Bajaj Qute, a passenger four-wheeler and Maxima Cargo, a three-wheeler for goods, before the end of this year. Regarded as a low cost, last mile transportation solution, Bajaj Qute is an eco-friendly and fuel efficient means of transportation.

“With years of experience in multiple countries including Nigeria, I foresee the opportunity that Bajaj has vast potentials for growth in the Nigerian market and to emerge as the undisputed market leader. The right approach and service to the dealers and consumers to bring out the USPs of the product and essence of the brand will add strength for it to become the market leader.”

Also speaking, Marketing Head for Stallion Group, Arpita Luthra, stated that Stallion Auto Keke Ltd would invest significantly in improving stakeholders interest, business and livelihood.

“Be it landmark consumer-connect campaigns like the Stallion Bajaj Keke rally doing the durability drive of 5000 kilometres and touching 28 cities, or rider-training facilities, or scholarship programmes for the keke riders and mechanics, the alliance of Stallion and Bajaj will enable progress, improve lives and dominate the market,“ Luthra added.