ROTIMI ASHER
coscharis Motors Plc has debuted sales of locally assembled Renault automobile brand in Nigeria.
The event, which held on Friday, featured facility tour of the brand’s service workshop, diagnostic center and the assembly plant.
The plant with a capacity to roll out 10,000 vehicles annually, accommodates assembly lines for Renault Logan and Duster using Semi Knocked Down ( SKD)kits .
Explaining the assembly process, the Plant Manager, Sola Afolayan said, ‘’the assembly is undergoing two processes, the Ford and Renault. For the Renault process plant which we are concerned with now, it starts from the engine belt. We assemble the engine, transmission and every other part that will go into the car. Having arranged them on the jig, the body will move to the assembly plant while the engine will also move on the jig to the assembly plant.’’
‘’The body is moved up and brought down for easy marriage with the engine and other parts before it is transferred to the finishing line. That makes it easy to turn out as many as possible. The bolts and the nuts are calibrated to ensure that when it gets to the right bolting, it stops. It’s all computerized. Quality assurance is also assured. On the average, we do ten cars in a day. We are supposed to be doing three shifts but presently, we are doing one because of low sales. So far, from September this year till now, we have turned out 63 vehicles of the Duster and Logan.’’
The height of the event was a media test-drive of Renault Duster and Logan, both of which the Coscharis Group’s Managing Director, Josiah Samuel, confirmed would be rolled out of its Lagos-based multi-brand assembly plant.
“So far,” he explained, “we have secured all the requisite OEM’s ratings and approvals to commence assemblage of the Duster and Logan; while we are presently bringing in fully – built Koleos, Kwid and Oroch (which is to be introduced at a later date)”.
According to Mr. Samuel, Coscharis is fully equipped to handle all after-sales services and repairs of Renault vehicles.
“We have the original parts coupled with the right tools to fix the parts and Renault Certified Technicians to fix your vehicles,” he pointed out, adding, “With the technical back up of our Renault partners, we are positioned to deliver a seamless aftersales services across our available facilities across the country for both existing owners and potential new customers. This gives us the confidence from our pedigree in representing iconic brands in Nigeria that we are set to simply delight our customers once again with the Renault brand as the exclusive franchise owner in Nigeria.”
Renault Logan, which comes with redesigned front and rear end panels, features the new Renault brand light signature.
The car does not only provide generous room for five passengers, it comes with useful and smart new storage areas, including a phone pouch and a front passenger side net pouch. There’s a new 12 V output in the rear for charging your devices. There’s also a 1/3-2/3* split-fold rear bench seat and a spacious boot to transport everything you need in the way that suits you. Combine utility and pleasure for a journey you’re sure to love.
Logan’s ground clearance level (155-164mm) enhances its capacity to cope with extremely poor road surfaces (potholes, cobbles, uneven surfaces. The mechanics, bodywork (opening panels), air conditioning/ventilation system and passenger compartment all specially designed to cope with certain countries’ environments, where dust is omnipresent. Designed to deal with “extremely hot” conditions, Logan has an excellent thermal comfort standard.
In competition with Toyota Corolla, Renault Logan currently sells for N9million.
Renault Duster comes with options of 1.6-Litre and 2.0Litre engine. But, according to Coscharis, both are built with a robust off-roader looks.
“With the superb ground clearance,” it says, “the Duster is a practical and durable vehicle for the Nigerian road.”
In addition to spacious cabin, Duster’s driver and passenger seats provide plenty of support to ensure your comfort wherever you go. The upholstery features a high-quality finish, as does the dashboard, where particular emphasis was placed on ergonomic design.
In terms of equipment, the Duster’s multimedia system comes with touch screen, which allows you to navigate through all the different functionalities: navigation, phone, radio, Aux/USB ports and Bluetooth® connection to listen to your favorite music.
It also comes with hands free card to lock and unlock the doors from a distance as well as assist to start the air-conditioning before getting into the car.
Out to compete with Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue, Renault Duster is selling for N12.5m.
Coscharis Motors is offering customers the options of 1.0 to 2.5-litre engines across the models.
Last Friday’s launch of Renault Nigeria’s plant and sales was a follow up to the formal announcement of Coscharis’ partnership with the Renault Group in July 2019.
“The plan,” stressed the MD of Coscharis Group, “is to ensure that we continually deliver value for money by providing quality automobile like the Renault brand vehicles to discerning Nigerians at affordable price range.”
©Copyright MOTORING WORLD INTERNATIONAL.
All rights reserved. Materials, photographs, illustrations and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior written permission from Motoring World International
Contact: [email protected]
