motoring

By Moses Akaigwe    08072100049

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Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Limited, Nnewi, Anambra State has broken fresh grounds in fulfilment of its vision to keep producing vehicles that satisfy the various needs of Nigeria’s diverse market without compromising quality and affordability.
This time, the foremost indigenous auto plant has designed and built IVM G12 series, a special purpose range of off-road light trucks for the use of the military and related oragnisations. It was handed over to the Army in Maiduguri, Borno State last week to enhance the operations against insurgency.
Presenting the IVM G12 series to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen T.Y. Buratai, at the tactical headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maimalari Barracks, the Chairman of Innoson Group, Dr Innocent Chukwuma, assured that the vehicle would be at home on the challenging terrains the Army is used to in its operations.
Chief Chukwuma introduced Innoson IVM G12 series as a highly mobile and tactical pick-up van with double reinforced shock absorbers that can show strength and ability to cope with military functions, especially in the north-eastern part of the country.
Receiving the truck, Gen. Buratai praised Innoson’s vision of manufacturing vehicles that serve the specific needs of the military and assured him of the organisation’s partnership with the plant in producing special purpose vehicles for its special operations.
Ahead of the presentation, Innoson had dispatched some units of the vehicle to the Army Chief to be test-driven on different rough terrains of the North-East axis where the Armed Forces are successfully mopping up insurgency.
At the presentation proper, the military drivers, who manned the vehicles during the test-drive, attested to their rugged nature, confirming their suitability for their operations across the difficult terrain and dangerous environment they operate in.
Innoson’s collaboration with the Armed Forces started months ago when it signed  a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Air Force for the maintenance of the Air Assets and other associated Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) to enable the force continuously carry out its constitutional obligations to the nation.
Innoson Group is also collaborating with the Armed Forces in the manufacture and supply of armoured {and bullet-proof} vehicles.
At the official commissioning ceremony of the Nnewi auto plant in 2010, Dr. Chukwuma had pledged to gradually expand the initial Innoson product portfolio beyond pick-up variants as well as mini and inter-city buses. Mass transit city buses, refuse collectors and passenger cars like sedans and SUVs, have since been added to the range, in fulfilment of the promise to produce vehicles for various segments of the market.
Producing special off-road vehicle for the Army was an aspect of the diversification which many auto industry watchers did not see coming.