Renault automakers of France has returned back to Nigeria to commence local assembly of select models of cost-effective vehicles in Nigeria after striking a deal with Coscharis Motors to use its facility located at Awoyaya, Epe area of Lagos. The assembly plant built in 2014 with an investment in equipments and infrastructure valued at almost $50million
Cosmas Maduka, president and chief executive of Coscharis Motors Limited said at the opening ceremony told BusinessDay that Coscharis as group has always been none for taking any product from a negative to positive position in the market and promised to replicate that reputation with the returnee Renault brand under its franchise.
According to Maduka, ‘’this partnership is to showcase another initiative from our great organization through one of our subsidiaries, Coscharis Motors, to further create value as a key player in the automobile industry in Nigeria. We are glad to celebrate the confidence the renowned brand, Renault reposed in us to represent them in Nigeria’’.
This milestone marks another step in the evolution of our organization towards remaining timeless in its relevance’’.
Reacting on the new marriage of convenience between the Reanult France and Coscharis Motors, Fabrice Cambolive, chairman of Renault Group said he is excited to deal with a local partner with good pedigree in the automotive business.
Taking a look at the brand’s performance, Cambolive said, ‘’The Renault brand is number one in Africa. In 2018, we reached a market share of 18% and I am proud to announce that in the first half of 2019 we have increased our share to 19.3 percent’’.
The Renauly chief anchored the brand’s global leadership position is based on three levers. Among other things, he stated that, Renault will offer the Nigerian clients a unique, original range that is perfectly adapted to the conditions of use of the country.
Renault has an offer that meets the expectations of the new African middle class in terms of attractivity, durability and equipment such as connectivity.
Secondly is the automaker’s industrial basis especially when the brand has a strong presence in North- Africa with a production figure of over 500,000 vehicles in 3 plants and with an export capacity to the whole continent.
Thirdly, Renauly has the commercial strength through importers who manage a strong sales network responding to the highest global standards of Groupe Renault in terms of customer satisfaction.
Bouyed with the brand’s market exploits across the globe, the Reanult boss said, ‘’Not only do we want to confirm this leadership, we also intend to increase this position by expanding our presence in sub-Saharan Africa’’.
‘’With a population of over 200 million, Nigeria is a strategic African country where Groupe Renault will extend its footprint. The Coscharis Group is a recognized player in car assembly and distribution. Thanks to their expertise and our products adapted to the local needs, we will be able to answer immediately to the customers’ demand in Nigeria’’. He stated.
Cambolive expressed delight that, the Nigerian authorities have put in place specific regulations to encourage localization and local production of vehicles, noting that, this is the starting point of Renault’s decision to strike a deal with Coscharis Motors to assemble the brand in the country.
This partnership aims to establish a strong position for the Renault brand and its products with a range of cars produced locally with Logan and Duster, and cars imported from Brazil with Kwid and Oroch.
He recalled that, Renault Logan for instance, went famous years ago expending its sales in Europe, Russia, and Brazil and offering our customers a unique combination of comfort, space and cost of maintenance.
Renault Duster is our SUV blockbuster. We are selling more than 300,000 Duster per year. Our clients all over the world recognize its excellent off road capacities, its connectivity and re-sale value. There are plands to commence production of the Logan and Duster models next October.
‘’This whole range of attractive, robust and affordable cars will be distributed by Coscharis through a dedicated network in new showrooms which will be inaugurated soon. As you can see, Groupe Renault is serious about Africa, serious about Nigeria, serious about its partnership with Coscharis’’. Cambolive concluded.
