OPEYEMI OLOTU
African Automotive Manufacturers have assured Nigerian government of their readiness to invest in the country once the nation’s National Automobile Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) policy is signed into law and fully implemented.
The continental auto makers under Association of African Automobile manufacturers (AAAM) gave the assurance during a recent tour of the South African auto Industry by a delegation of the National Automobile Design and development Council (NADDC).
Led by the council’s Director General, Mr. Joseph Osanipin, NADDC recently embarked on the tour with the objective of visiting the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and other stakeholders with a view of fostering a collaboration that would benefit the Nigeria’s auto industry.
Speaking during the tour of the Volkswagen plant in Karieg, the Chairperson and Managing Director Volkswagen Group, South Africa, who is also the President of AAAM, Ms Martina Biene, described Nigeria’s NAIDP document as a good and comprehensive document capable of blooming the nation’s auto industry, once legalized and implemented.
Fielding questions virtually from motoring Journalists in Lagos, Biene remarked: “We have seen the ideals and crafting of the Nigeria’s NAIDP. It is pretty much a very comprehensive policy of which implementation will help the automotive industry to thrive in Nigeria.
“The next step is ratification by the nation’s National Assembly, presidential ascent and Implementation.”
According to Ms Biene, a legalized and implemented auto policy will boost Nigeria’s new vehicles market and return it to vibrancy.
To this end, the AAAM president pledged Volkswagen’s commitment to, and interest, in the Nigerian market
“We also want to be part of the prosperity in the Nigerian market and we have seen a very good approach in terms of policy,” she asserted.
Ms Biene , who recalled what she described as Volkswagen’s remarkable history in the Nigerian market, reiterated her company’s commitment to the MoU signed with the Nigerian government in 2018.
“That is also what we want,” she stressed, adding, ‘What is needed is new car market in Nigeria. New car market is going to happen with the implementation of the policy.”
On the local auto firm to partner with Volkswagen when it returns to Nigeria, the Chairperson said, “Once we establish a proper new car market, I am pretty sure that we all want business. We are eager to start the business. We are not committing to any partners, but I am just saying we want to come back.”
Also commenting on the NAIDP 2023, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), AAAM, Dave Coffey, said the continental association was delighted to receive the NADDC team, which according to him, had shown keen interest in South Africa’s auto industry.
“At AAAM, we believe that Nigeria’s NAIDP needs to be implemented. It needs to be approved and we will assist you in doing whatever we can and support you. We believe this is a great opportunity and the time is ripe,” Coffey stated
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