… as FG plans locally-assembled Auto Fair
With the present economic downturn occasioned by the COVID-19 Pandemic, there are fears that the popular BKG,s Motor Fair may subsequently run into troubled waters, following an abysmal turnout of auto brands at the recently concluded 15th Lagos Fair.
Stakeholders in the Nation’s Automotive Industry were pessimistic of the future of auto fairs in the Nigeria.
Their fears are being ignited following the very low turnout recorded during the just concluded Lagos Motorfair, organised by BKG Exhibitions Limited, which in the past 10 years had remained one of the major auto fairs in the Country.
Strong indications to the future apathy from stakeholders were hinged on the fact that the previous edition of the Fair just like the last one also recorded the same low turnout of auto dealers and other stakeholders in the Nation’s Automotive Industry.
Apart from vehicle dealers, regular spare parts exhibitors from overseas and other dealers in auto and allied products and services were absent due mainly to COVID-19.
The low turnout, according to investigation has to do with the outbreak of COVID-19 Pandemic worsened by the poor economic situation which has not only affected car dealerships across the Country, but has drastically reduced the purchasing power of car users.
Unlike other editions where over 50 vehicles would be on display by different Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and dealers, the 15th Fair witnessed abysmal number of cars and SUVs on display from Mikano Motors, Kia, OMAA, Jet Systems and Coscharis Motors.
This year, other big names that stayed away from what could be described as an annual ritual are Toyota Nigeria Limited, Massilia Motors, distributors of Mitsubishi Motors; CFAO/Suzuki, Stallion Motors, dealers of over seven brands; and Weststar Limited, dealers of Mercedes among others.
In his comment, General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communication, Coscharis Group, Babarinde Abiona, said the event was not a jamboree but an opportunity to showcase what is new in the Sector.
He appealed to the government to create an enabling environment and policy that support the business in order to make the Automotive Industry a viable economy.
Abiona averred that the entry of more players in the Industry shows there is a win-win solution for everyone.
Alluding to the poor turnout at the Fair, Managing Director, BKG Exhibitions Limited, Ifeanyi Agwu, said it is indeed a seriously challenging time in the Automotive Industry in Nigeria.
He said it is a season that has thrown up more challenges than ever before, noting that a lot of companies have closed shop while a large number merely exist and direly in need of life supports. This, he said, can be confirmed by the number of exhibitors in this year’s edition.
“Ordinarily it is the delight and wish of any serious player in the Industry to showcase amongst others but here we are witnessing the opposite.
“All the relevant stakeholders must join hands and release the synergy that will see the Sector regain the traction it has gained with the introduction of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP). This will help to fast track the development of the Sector,” Agwu noted.
For Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL), their absence in the Fair has to do with cutting of expenses which are usually associated with such fairs.
A source at TNL attributed its non-appearance at the Motor Fair to the short notice from the organisers and finance issue.
“Everyone is cutting down on cost and eliminating expenses that have no direct bearing on sales,” the source hinted.
In his views, former Director of Policy and Planning of the National Automotive Design & Development Council (NADDC), Mamudu Lukman, said, “the Industry is now in a state of suspended animation,” adding that the absence of the NAIDP is virtually killing the Industry.
“We are hopeful that the Minister of Industry and Finance will soon realise that they were wrongly advised and send a revised NAIDP to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for consideration. I understand it’s ready but I don’t know what they are keeping it.
“Section 38 of the 2020 Finance ACT makes it practically unattractive to invest in local value addition like basic assembly. If you can import a fully built pickup at 10 per cent, why will you import the same vehicle in Semi-Knock Down (SKD) form? It doesn’t make sense.
“So everyone is now an importer. It would have attracted more participation if tagged special auction for new and used vehicles.
“Workers already trained by the Industry are gradually dispersing as the companies can’t continue to retain them.
“We just lost Toyota to Ghana. They approached us first. I know. I led the investment delegation to meet with Toyota Tsumitomo in Japan and the Company was quite receptive. The only key demand was that Nigeria should legislate the NAIDP, but the President was advised not to sign it. Those who so advised know themselves,” he explained.
Also speaking on the Motor Fair, a Senior Lecturer at the Mass Communications Department, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Dr. Oscar Odiboh, said that the low turnout is clearly a backlash from the economic situation, together with the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
According to him, due to economic downturn, people have not been able to raise enough money to buy new cars, adding that even ‘tokunbo’ vehicles were equally affected.
Odiboh who is also an Automotive and Communications Consultant, said the only people who were able to participate in the Motor Show were ardent visitors because very few people are buying cars.
“The economic situation has a role to play in it. In 2009/2010, it affected the Auto Show. The same from 2011 to 2015; the Show was affected these previous years and attendance was based on the factors I mentioned above,” he said.
In his views, the Marketing Manager, Kia Motors, Nigeria, Olawale Jimoh, confirmed that Kia Motors attended the event and that it was okay.
According to him, the event afforded them the opportunity to display their new models, hinting that the Fair was the first major event that was able to bring auto assemblers together.
Jimoh attributed the low turnout to COVID-19 Pandemic and reduction in purchasing power of the people because the economy has been unstable, which also has affected the Auto Sector.”
Speaking further, Jimoh stated that one good thing about the Motor Fair was that it gave them the opportunity to interact with the Director General of NADDC, Mr. Jelani Aliyu, who was on ground during the opening ceremony.
“The opening ceremony of the Auto Fair gave us an opportunity to have firsthand experience to see the Director General of NADDC.
“At the Show, the Director General made some good promises which have to do with government support for the Auto Sector. If the promises come to fruition, it will assist to boost the Industry once again,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the federal government is planning exhibition of locally assembled vehicles in October this year.
This is to enable stakeholders who lay claim that they assemble vehicles locally in Nigeria to prove it by showcasing them to the public.
The proposed October Made-In-Nigeria Auto Fair was disclosed by the Board Chairman, NADDC, Senator Osita Izunaso, during the commissioning of the NADDC solar powered EV Charging Station at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) recently.
