NAJA 2018 rewards excellence, innovation, durability…
L-R: Managing Director, Primero Transport Services, Mr. Fola Tinubu, FRSC Acting Unit Commander, Lagos Island unit Command, Chief Route Commander, S. W Duke who represented the Corp Marshal, FRSC presenting the 2018 Nigeria Auto Journalists Association Luxury SUV of the Year award to the General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group, Mr. Abiona Babarinde while Director General, Nigeria Automotive Design and Development Council, Alhaji Jelani Aliyu watch during the 2018 Nigeria Auto Journalists Association Awards held at Eko Hotels, Victoria Island on Thursday in Lagos.
The 2018 edition of the annual automobile awards organized by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) has rewarded excellence, innovation and durability.
At its just concluded awards held at Eko hotel in Lagos, Hyundai Creta, Mercedes Benz S Class and Range Rover Autobiography were named Car of the Year, Luxury Car of the Year and Luxury Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) of the Year respectively.
The award night which had the Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Aliyu Jelani and the representative of the Corp Marshal of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) as special guests was well attended by many chief executives and other stakeholders in the nation’s automotive sector.
Other nominees for the Car of the Year award were Toyota Corolla and GAC GA 3 while Toyota Hilux and Toyota Hiace clinched the Pick-up of the Year award and Mini Bus of the Year awards respectively. Indigenous Lubricant of the year went to Lubcon, Best New Entrant Lubricant was won by Micking Oil, just as Ceat smiled home with the Tyre brand of the year.
Yutong bus won the High Capacity Commercial Passenger Bus of the year, the JAC truck won the Heavy Duty Truck of the year. Both are assembled in Nigeria by Kojo Motors and Lanre Shittu Motors respectively.
In his welcome speech, Mike Ochonma, the newly elected Chairman of NAJA, said that NAJA award is the most prestigious and only recognised auto award in the country.
Stating that awards is the only recognised award nationally and internationally, and that the winners were arrived at after an exhaustive, but objective evaluation of competitors in each of the categories
He said the award winners which were arrived at through members’ votes, will among other things, provide consumers with sound, comparative information on vehicles that are new to the market.
According to Moses Ebosele, Chairman of the Award Committee, the annual event always provides an opportunity for all stakeholders in the sector to come together to celebrate and exchange ideas especially in the areas of manufacturing, efficiency, innovation and corporate social responsibility.
In his response, Managing Director of Stallion Motors Nigeria Limited (HMNL), Parvir Singh thanked the organisers for putting up the award and for finding the Hyundai Creta worthy for the COTY award.
Also, Corporate Affairs Manager of Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL), Mrs. Bukola Ogunnusi expressed appreciation for the myriad of awards given to TNL for 2018.
Massilia Motors, sole distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in Nigeria, a joint venture consolidated with the CFAO group, was awarded the most innovative automotive brand in 2018 and the most outstanding SUV design for the recently launched Eclipse Cross model. The Mitsubishi L200 was also amongst the nominees for the best pick-up of the year.
This did not come as a surprise to many industry watchers as Massilia Motors has in recent times, been very innovative in its marketing push and has given a new look to its car showrooms . The company has also invested in its aftersales facility in Ijora and ensuring continuous quality improvement.
With the introduction of models such as the Pajero Sport and the Eclipse Cross, Massilia Motors offers customers sophisticated vehicles that are good value for money.
The brands new approach was seen during the unconventional launch of the Eclipse Cross at the Heineken Lagos Fashion Week where a virtual reality booth was set up for visitor to tour the vehicle through VR glasses. The company also collaborated with fashion designer Sisiano to create the ‘’Eclipse collection’’ inspired by the compact SUV.
Earlier this year, according to TransportDay, Massilia Motors celebrated the centenary anniversary of Mitsubishi Motors as part of its repositioning strategies. The event tagged the Heritage Week was one of its kind in the industry and was an opportunity to share milestones and achievements of the Japanese car manufacturer. It was a memorable week for the Mitsubishi Motors family and visitors with fun filled activities in the Victoria Island showroom in partnership with renowned brands, celebrities and influencers. In addition, giveaways were organized to reward Mitsubishi car owners for their patronage over the years.
“Commenting on the NAJA Awards, Deputy Managing Director of Massilia Motors, Mr. Kunle Jaiyesimi stated: ‘’we are delighted with the recognition. We will continue striving to find new ways to add value to our customers.’’
“Aside the Pajero Sport and Eclipse Cross, other models distributed by Massilia Motors include the ASX, Outlander, Pajero Suv and the L200 robust Pickup.” TransportDay reported.
Editor of Transport Day newspaper, Mr. Frank Kintum; Marketing Manager of Massilia Motors (sole distributor of Mitsubishi in Nigeria), Funmi Abiola; Managing Director of Primero Transport Services, Mr. Fola Tinubu; and Head of Sales, Massilia Motors, Mr. Olatunji Itiola, when Massilia Motors was recognised as Most Innovative Auto Company of the Year, at the 2018 NAJA Awards held at Eko Hotel, Lagos on Thursday, December 13, 2018.
