By Moses Ebosele, ebosele@hotmail.com
Stallion Bajaj on Friday in Lagos, Nigeria flagged-off what it described as the “First Keke Rally In Nigeria’’.
Comprised of five“Keke Rally Drivers’’, security agents, among others, the exercise which kicked off at Ijesha, Lagos State, is expected to cover 5,000 kilometres driving through 28 cities in sixteen states across the country.
The team is also scheduled to visit identified cultural sites in a comprehensive exercise designed to prove that“Bajaj drives faster and last longer’’.
Speaking at an interactive session with Motoring Editors, Managing Director, Stallion Auto KeKe Ltd, Manish Rohtagi said Bajaj is now a household name in Nigeria because of its quality and overall performance.
He also explained that plans are underway to engage more dealers across the country and provide first class after sales support.
Already, Stallion Bajaj boast of sales and service outlets at 21 locations spread across Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Ibadan, Enugu and Port Harcourt.
Other locations are Illorin, Yola, Warri, Benin, Yenogoa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Lokoja andBauchi.
Information made available indicates that the company has invested in a state-of-the-artcentral auto parts and sevice centre in Lagos to support the distribution of genuine parts across the country.
Part of the information read:“The authorised service centers across the nation only deals in genuine spare parts provided by the company making durability its brand promise. The Bajaj Keke are manufactured in a state-of-the-art assembly plant in VON, Gbagada, Lagos employing the best in class home grown technicians’’.
Meahwhile, plan are underway to introduce before the end of the year Bajaj Qute.
Regarded as low cost, last mile transportation solution, Bajaj Qute is an eco friendly and fuel efficient means of transportation.
With fuel-efficiency of 36kmpl, carbon emission of 66gm/km and powered by a 4-valve water-cooled DTS-Ll engine, the Qute is being positioned as the smartest choice for urban transportation problems.
In an interview recently, Rohtagi spoke on what gave rise to the acquisition of the Bajaj franchise by the Stallion group
He said“ For over 50 years, Stallion has successfully navigated the Nigerian terrain and has become a time-tested conglomerate that has its presence across the Nigerian economy. Stallion Group’s vision is to adopt global best practices and localize it to develop scalable, impactful and sustainable business that is committed to improving the socio-economic conditions of the communities. Stallion brand is now a household name in Nigeria touching lives every day with its products,be it rice, fish, auto sales& distribution, assembling and many more. It employs thousands directly and indirectly; it is one of the foremost conglomerates hugely invested in the countrygaining respect and trust of the community. Bajaj Auto on the other hand is a world leader in the intra city vehicle space.
“Loved in 70 countries the brand stands for integrity, dedication, resourcefulness and determination to succeed and empower. With similar brand ethos we believe that this alliance will go a long way in empowering Nigerians to be self-reliant and improve the interests of the stakeholders be it employees, dealers, distributors, vendors, mechanics, unions, logistic operators or bankers.
“With years of experience in multiple countries including Nigeria, I foresee the opportunity that Bajaj has vast potentials for growth in the Nigerian market. Bajaj is the dominant tricycle brand with over 70% market share in populous countries like India Argentina, Columbia and many other Asian &Latin American countries so Nigerian success story is a matter of time. The right approach and service to the dealers and consumers to bring out the USPs of the product and essence of the brand will add strength for it to become the market leader.
