Nissan and Stallion Motors plan vehicle assembly

According to an article from The Punch, The Stallion Group and Nissan Motors “also being represented by Stallion” are planning on merging together to assemble more vehicles at the VON assembly plant in Lagos. The announcement is in expectation of a final approval by the Federal Government of the new Automobile Industrial Policy, designed to encourage the development of the auto industry in Nigeria.

This will make Nissan to become the first major international manufacturer to inaugurate vehicle assembly in the country following the new legislation.

The Stallion Group already uses the plant to assemble commercial vehicles but this joint venture would definitely improve the plant and help increase production capacity to an estimated 45000; “passenger cars, commercial vehicles and light duty vehicles”.

According to a company statement gotten by the Punch, the first vehicle to be produced at the plant would be the Iconic Nissan Patrol SUV in the spring of 2014. Capacity at the plant will also be opened to Nissan’s alliance partner, Renault, to be utilized according to future business needs,” it added.

It also quoted the Chairman, Stallion Group, Mr. Sunil Vaswani, as saying, “The new automotive policy spearheaded by President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, is a laudable government initiative aimed at making Nigeria the regional leader in the industry.

“Our group is committed to investing in a fully integrated automobile industry that fosters the creation of several ancillary industries with associated socio-economic benefits.

 “We value our partnership with Renault and Nissan immensely and are aiming to deliver world class expertise to Nigeria.”

From The Punch