NADDC tours BAW S/Africa ahead of Pilot bus roll-out in Nigeria

Beijing Auto Works (BAW) South Africa, last week, played host to a delegation from the apex regulatory agency in Nigeria’s auto industry, the National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC, which was in the country to discuss with original equipment manufacturers {OEMs}on investing in Nigeria.
The visit came as the countdown begins to the roll-out of the wave-making BAW Pilot mini bus in Enugu by BAW Nigeria, in less than two months.
Led by the Director-General, Jelani Aliyu, the NADDC delegation toured the facility of BAW South Africa, which is collaborating with BAW Nigeria {a stable mate of Transit Support Services, TSS, and ABC Transport Plc}, to produce the BAW Pilot buses and vans at the latter’s plant in Enugu.
During the visit, the delegation held discussions with the management of BAW South Africa, assuring them of NADDC and Nigerian government’s support for their plans to produce their vehicles to the same high standards that contributed BAW brand’s huge success in Mandela’s country.
Produced in the Spring area of Gauteng, South Africa as BAW Sasuka, the bus has in the past few years become one of the most visible vehicles in that country’s taxi industry {where buses are used as taxis}.
The delegation also visited BMW, Nissan, Ford, Volkswagen and Toyota in South Africa.
With Aliyu were the Director, Policy and Planning, Luqman Mamudu; Special Adviser to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Emeka Ifezulike; and Special Adviser to the DG, Sani Musa.
With Ford and Nissan already producing vehicles in Nigeria, NADDC assured during the visit that it was committed to supporting them in exponentially increasing their production capacity. The council also looks forward to the two brands providing more of their model range offerings at various price points, from low cost entry levels to premium configurations.
Ford produces the Ranger at their plant in Ikeja, Lagos, a mid-size pick-up with high capabilities and functionality.