According to Mr. Iwuoha, who is the chairman of Lagos State Auto
Dealers Friends Association, "Auto dealers in Lagos
state and its friends were very happy, when they
learnt about the Auto policy. We feel that it is
good for the Auto Industry in Nigeria and will
help boost the country’s economy.”
But he said that the impression they, in the
Association are getting recently is brewing up
insinuations that some wealthy people in the
Industry may have hijacked the idea of the policy
to their selfish ends.
“Because of this we, in the Lagos state Auto
Dealers Friends Association are very concerned,”
he stressed. “It is like some wealthy people in
the Industry have taken over the policy to
themselves. This is not good for such a well
thought policy that is meant to transform the
country’s auto companies, by making them more
productive and adventurous.
“The Policy is not yet effective and that is one
thing about this country, beautiful Policies are
not always allowed to see the light of day and
that is why we advice the Federal government to
show more seriousness about the Policy and not
watch it wither away just like that.
“The Policy will make Nigeria great, so its
enforcement should be sincere and much
focused.”
Mr. Iwuoha however recounted the effort of his
Association to key into the Policy when they first
heard about it.
“There was a time I was invited to the Airport
Hotel for a meeting by the government about
Made in Nigeria cars. We honoured the meeting
and even filled forms, but at the end of the day
nothing else has been heard. They talked about
having real dealers that the manufacturers will
be dealing with, so that the interest to continue
importing cars from outside will die
“We were very happy and requested that the
prices of the cars be reduced, because they are
very expensive. I even visited Peugeot and saw
their new 2015-2016 series, but it is very
expensive.”
Mr. Iwuoha however advised that if made in
Nigeria Cars are to strive within the country and
be well patronized; their prices need to be
considerate.
“If the prices of locally manufactured cars are
reduced, they will be affordable by more people
and more appreciated too. Japanese cars are
ruling the world auto market because first, the
Japanese people at home are interested in them.
They love it, because they can afford them;
perhaps after very good home patronage, the
cars from that country have become very
popular in auto markets around the world.
“Nigerians must first be attracted to Nigerian
made Cars and be able to appreciate them,
before manufacturers can think about hiking their
price, especially if Nigerians are able to afford
them for personal use and experience how good
they are.”
Speaking about how the measure on the
importation of cars have affected the auto
market, the auto dealers friends chief explained,
“The Market is very dull now. At times we may
not sell a single car throughout a whole day. You
come to office, sit from morning to night without
any sales, and this is mainly because of the
dollar.
“When we used to buy dollar at 150 naira, like
early 2012-2013, cars were very cheap. To clear
cars was not an issue, but as at yesterday a
dollar was 370 naira, a hundred percent
increase. The FG has increased tariffs, so that
cars of about 1.8m naira from purchase,
considering shipping cost and other handling
charges will cost almost 3.6 or 3.7 million.
“When you try to explain to customers they don’t
believe. Every body can now go to Google and
can find the prices themselves, now they
understand. You can stay for one month without
any sales; you are not talking about selling so
that you can import another car, but rather to be
able to feed the family, yet, it is so difficult
now.”
However, Mr. Iwuoha said that the Auto dealers
and their friends in the state,“want FGN to know
what they are doing; and how the harsh
economic situation in the country is adversely
affecting Auto dealers.
“So we are calling on government to hasten the
Auto policy so that it can become operational so
that the country can start on time to reap the
dividends”
The Lagos State Auto dealers Friends association
is a body of Automobile related marketers in
Lagos, who are concerned about rejuvenating the
auto market in the state by re-educating their
members and helping the growth of the auto
sector.
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