The all-new Honda HR-V assembled in Nigeria at the Honda Assembly plant in Lagos has been presented to the Federal Government regulatory agency for the automotive industry, the National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC.
The new vehicle was brought from Lagos to Abuja by the Managing Director of Honda Automobile Western Africa Limited, Mr. Akihiro Daido accompanied by the Marketing and Sales Manager, Mr Remi Adams and other senior officers of the company.
On hand to receive this latest Nigerian auto product were the Board Chairman of NADDC, Senator (Chief) Osita Izunaso, NADDC Director General, Mr. Jelani Aliyu and the entire Management team of NADDC as well as an array of journalists with their cameramen from radio, television, newspapers and online publications.
The new bride, Honda HR-V was welcomed ceremoniously at the Abuja City Gate and led through the city in a carnival-like motorcade to the NADDC Headquarters in Gudu District.
Mr. Remi Adams of Honda Automobile W.A. briefed the NADDC top-shots and the mass media extensively on the special features and modern technology embedded in the all-new HR-V which comes with a 1.8-litre engine.
NADDC Board Chairman, Senator Osita Izunaso drove the car around the Council’s premises while Mr Jelani Aliyu inspected its special features.
Chief Izunaso remarked, “I have driven it around, all I can say is that it is a very good one, it is luxurious. It has some distinctive features which similar vehicles in its class do not have. It is a way of making available to the middle class some of the super luxuries that the big boys enjoy in the big SUVs. However, Honda needs to combine luxury with affordability. If it is good and it is affordable, then it is truly good.”
In his comments, Mr. Jelani Aliyu said, “This is Honda itself in Nigeria producing for Nigeria. We are happy Honda is producing in Nigeria a new vehicle, the same class you can find in Japan or elsewhere in the world.”
“We are excited because this is a great milestone not just for Honda but for the entire automotive industry in Nigeria for some reasons: it is good for this environment with higher ground clearance, it has good features, it is a vehicle that is right for Nigeria at an affordable price and it coincides with the time NADDC is getting ready to roll out a vehicle finance scheme at a single digit interest rate.”
“The only way we can provide jobs for our teeming citizens is by boosting industries and supporting those local and international investors coming into Nigeria to produce.” He remarked.
