princetom1:
Oga EgunMogaji, am here o. I commot cap yo greet the masquerade first. Reading through, all those that had commented are the usual suspects, where is 0rex? My brain fey spark as i read, am not an expert in any field but my passion surely makes me better. Let me add my contributions now.
1) Many Nigeria company fail, why? After they must have conducted alot of market survey? Who is the professional that does market survey for this such special market? Am sure, not just anyone can do it, no matter how much expert they claim to be. U must be versed in this industry and put urself as a consumer.
I worry about alot of things as a consumer but the manufacturers seems not to notice me, the consumer, They are busy making false claim (i hate that), comparing (how inferior are u).
2) This segment, doesn't need to be an elon musk, needs who will be truthful, no magomago, no wayo.
3) Training people with passion is also a way to go, there are areas that they will be valuable.
4) Nothing flashy, utility is important. It should look modern though. I too wount consider the coupe, it doesn't sell in Nigeria anymore. 4 door, 1 cabin pickup, and they could be modifications made on request to cater for alot of fields, like farming, construction fields and so on. Am still receiving revelation from the holy spirit concerning the design, besides, beetle is too Small, will get back here later.

Greetings.

You, as a non-expert, is actually an integral part of the equation so your views are very important. You know, something might make complete sense from a technical point of view but could be a total flop from a consumers point of view.

1) Personally, I think those companies underestimate the complex marketplace in Nigeria where you have to bribe yourself at every stage. As a consumer I MAY want a car that is "assembled" in Nigeria by trained Nigerians who selected components that will address the Nigerian angle. For example the shocks on most vehicles are NOT meant for the Nigerian obstacle course that we deal with.

(Some pics attached, not saying that we should build these but just to show suspension work that will just smile at Nigerian roads.)

2) Exactly. I think we can appeal to middle-income earners working at secretariat who can liaison with a bank to get a loan. Preorder from a buffet list of subassemblies, color, interior configuration, etc

3) Labor is cheap in Nigeria. All we have to do is training. You'll be surprised as to who will come to train. Training by retired factory workers from USA, UK, Brazil, etc

4) I still think an offshoot will occur where a separate section will cater to specialities.

princetom1:
Good thing about this is, alot of raw materials can be gotten in Nigeria and there are so much skilled people that just need to right tool to make things happen. Alot of parts could be made in house too. Instead of relying on china in alot of things like innoson does. Am sure parts can be sourced from the best of the best in the world also. And collaborating and investing in other area that are very important to the vehicle manufacturing is also important. Not just, buy and buy and import like the ones in existence does.

I used the example of a wiring harness.

I foresee something like that being supplied to specs by a group of electrical engineers.

I'm confident that seats, dashboards (fiberglass covered with choice of leather), can all be done by Nigerian if you provide the proper material and training.

baconline:
Chairman I am with u all the way, let me drop a few lines
Let's have a design
We could build d chassis by hand or send our design to companies that build chassis an have it containerized back
The remaining parts we will send out our design to numerous companies that will quote for the parts, I assure u within a month we would have broken down the whole thin to simple components
We can for now get an engine and gear from a donor car ,cos ordering a new design might be off ou limit now,
Depending on what we are building I will advise we build a super car so as to get the attention of the world
I propose we is an AMG engine and transmission
Interior. Companies in europe will give us a clean finish

AMG engines are not cheap, not cheap at all and too complicated for the mid sector.

What do you think about basic 4 cylinder engines similar to Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Mazda? Parts won't be an issue.

Regarding the supercar angle, it's a nice one to get a name nut there's no name in it. Not many high earners will use high dollar to purchase a one off from an unknown company with no heritage.

But think of a future where we outfit a regular company vehicle and do a tour of africa and blog it entirely. Then those high earners will beat down our doors begging to buy.

Baby steps.

nurey:


You are actually thinking too big, which is good, but you aren't too exposed in marketing segment (no pun intended). Let me break it down easy for you

Let's say "pringles" and "bose chips" we know they are both potato chips but with different level of satisfaction and price.

- On a sellers point of view
If I sell the pringles at 200bucks I will make a gain of 50naira on each, but I can only sell effectively in a super market to make that gain so I was able to sell 50 and the gain there is 2500.

But for bose chips at 20bucks, I can only make a gain of 10 naira on each, and I have to sweat and hustle besides it's only been bought by the poor, so what do I do, I take it to a slum where there are 5 schools primary and secondary and I was able to sell to 2000 students, that's a gain of 20,000. If I remove hustle, stress and others, it's worth it after all, look at the difference.

Ability of a product to sell is based on so many factors not just quality your super car and V8 is good and OK but ask your self this question the most successful car ever built in the world that shaked the nooks and cranny of every continent wasn't big, luxurious, wasn't turbo charged, couldn't win a decent race (leave herbie out of it) but no car has surpassed it's unit sold, yes your guess is as good as mine a 90s VW beetle.

Back when I was growing up, you couldn't spit in Ibadan without hitting a Toyota Corolla.

Those were the good days when there were "tear rubber" taxi in Ibadan (80's).

Anyways, what is wrong with targeting that market?

EgunMogaji:


Back when I was growing up, you couldn't spit in Ibadan without hitting a Toyota Corolla.

Those were the good days when there were "tear rubber" taxi in Ibadan (80's).

Anyways, what is wrong with targeting that market?

Nothing is wrong with the market he suggested per say but in Nigeria now, fuel economy comes first before any other criteria.
Even land rover knows that reason why they are offering a 2.0L 4 CYLINDER turbo diesel for their SUV

EgunMogaji:


Greetings.

You, as a non-expert, is actually an integral part of the equation so your views are very important. You know, something might make complete sense from a technical point of view but could be a total flop from a consumers point of view.

1) Personally, I think those companies underestimate the complex marketplace in Nigeria where you have to bribe yourself at every stage. As a consumer I MAY want a car that is "assembled" in Nigeria by trained Nigerians who selected components that will address the Nigerian angle. For example the shocks on most vehicles are meant for the Nigerian obstacle course that we deal with.

(Some pics attached, not saying that we should build these but just to show suspension work that will just smile at Nigerian roads.)

2) Exactly. I think we can appeal to middle-income earners working at secretariat who can liaison with a bank to get a loan. Preorder from a buffet list of subassemblies, color, interior configuration, etc

3) Labor is cheap in Nigeria. All we have to do is training. You'll be surprised as to who will come to train. Training by retired factory workers from USA, UK, Brazil, etc

4) I still think an offshoot will occur where a separate section will cater to specialities.

Oga masquerade i dey vex for u o. That part u called me, non expert (true but still vex me )
But in a good note, this kind of project, i will invest my sweat, blood, spirit, soul, consciousness and money and time. Will also love it if its a public company, whereby workers are required to have shares. People generally like to protect their investment with all they have got. Even if i invest 1000 and gain nothing at the end, the experience and what i can do from there is valueless to me. Do i have to add that the passion people like me have, makes learning easy and fun. Nothing beats, doing what u like

Oh, by d way, why is it that the likes of innoson don't know how to advertise? Login on their web page, nothing convinces me to patronised them except this funny slogan *buy naija to grow the naira* . Just bcoz i want the naira to grow, i will buy what i don't know and put my safety at risk? Funny slogan. Their website itself, doesn't have any professional touch to it. No technical specification and so on. Maybe i expect too much from them sha. Companies in Nigeria generally don't leverage on the internet, social media and so. I cant remember how often these assembly plants, or manufacturer in Nigeria makes headline. I don't underestimated word of mouth too o. I also have not up till now, see anyone review these made in naija, except their ceo or managers saying, they are same standard with foreign products. Simple, prove it...

princetom1:
Oh, by d way, why is it that the likes of innoson don't know how to advertise? Login on their web page, nothing convinces me to patronised them except this funny slogan *buy naija to grow the naira* . Just bcoz i want the naira to grow, i will buy what i don't know and put my safety at risk? Funny slogan. Their website itself, doesn't have any professional touch to it. No technical specification and so on. Maybe i expect too much from them sha. Companies in Nigeria generally don't leverage on the internet, social media and so. I cant remember how often these assembly plants, or manufacturer in Nigeria makes headline. I don't underestimated word of mouth too o. I also have not up till now, see anyone review these made in naija, except their ceo or managers saying, they are same standard with foreign products. Simple, prove it...

So, everything Innoson is doing is what we should not be doing.

The first vehicle will be driven around the country with mandatory stops at all higher level institutions and major factories (yes, even Innoson). The four door version can be introduced to local leaders of motorparks.

You can't buy the type of free advertisement that people can give you freely.

It's unfortunate the government has not realised we re in a democratic setting. First indigenous car industry is not even supported, maybe cos he is Igbo. I feel sorry for the government and Nigeria cos there is no oil in d North.

I love this

I'm here mehn

I'm here to submit ideas on the electronics and fanciful gadgets. The interior could be furnished with electronic gadgets such as a fairly wide display like those in Tesla-S models running a full windows/linux operating system with GPS, internet connectivity and so on. I could help with developing ideas in those areas. Following!

Following

Hahhaha chie!!!

EgunMogaji:
Do you know that there are companies today that makes you brand new body of classic cars?

http://dynacornbodies.com

this 1970 challenger would b over d top am telling u it would blow away any other in our market, am also a good fan of car warriors, if u as me lets build a car I would tell u YES LETS DO THIS

Nigeria still has a long way to go to actually start manufacturing indigenous cars just like "foton" brand of Malaysia.

But its ideas like this and people putting up time money,dedication that makes that goal a shorter one.

Egbon Mogaji I hail. And to the other contributors kudos.

In Naija my tested recipe for *"pure water" movement in the car context are

1) 4 doors
2) FUEL efficient engine
3) compact/sedan
4) easy to maintain and minimal electricals and fancy stuff.
5) sleek and beautiful design.

If we could add high ground clearance and better struts and suspension to this points noted we would have a good shot a it.



* by pure water I mean cars that are so popular all of a sudden at different times you think you are seeing double eg. 90s/00 vw golf 3, 90/00 Mercedes c class 180/220/ 230/240 and now sef rx 300/330 etc is joining the pure water team

Count me in.. .

Why not let build and focus on hybrid cars....

Egunmogaji et al, leave matter for mathias. When it comes to marketing your products, leave the bones for Dogs. What my small company will deliver for this Our team will make heaven place orders. Let's build first dan Allah. Where and when is the plant we will start the building cum assembly. Am in with water and blood

Humbly following, im sure gonna learn alot here

MicroBox:
Why not let build and focus on hybrid cars....

An astute point and I'm sure that a special division will be eventually setup that can entertain and bring to the market derivatives like this.

But hybrid cars are very complex. A good fuel efficient gasoline powered car will give some hybrid a run for their money.

There was a non hybrid version of the Honda Civic that got close to 50mpg on the freeway.

We're starting from where the first world countries were 50 years ago, but that's okay.

I miss brother Siena.

In my opinion the ideal power plant is a small modern VW Diesel engine.

Easy on the gas, tons of torque and simple components.

EgunMogaji:


An astute point and I'm sure that a special division will be eventually setup that can entertain and bring to the market derivatives like this.

But hybrid cars are very complex. A good fuel efficient gasoline powered car will give some hybrid a run for their money.

There was a non hybrid version of the Honda Civic that got close to 50mpg on the freeway.

We're starting from where the first world countries were 50 years ago, but that's okay.

Instead of hybrid, I believe LNG would even be worth it and has ability to out perform the hybrid

Guys i must say comments I've been reading r so awesome. Wow!! but let me add my small kobokobo idea. i know we r first of all looking to the Nigerian Market first to provide easy to maintain, fuel efficient, good suspension cars to the highest number of people in a particular class (low & Middle). but please we should also put in mind that our vehicles should meet international standards and make room for improvement to meet the international market. As it is, we are having Electric cars like Tesla and i believe a company i cant remember now are constructing a factory that will be producing long lasting batteries. I know the power sector in Nigeria is well not there yet but we r getting there definitely.

I'm in with this project

John Bake

#following

Hi EgunMogaji. Sorry to digress a bit, but I can't help it. How's the BMW K1600GL? (Or is it the GTL?)

Kudos to participants here, especially EgunMogaji. Though not an automobile freak, I will nevertheless be a keen follower of developments here.

The LNG suggestion cannot work here in Nigeria. We do not have LNG fueling stations. However CNG can be considered becasue there are some CNG tank and vehicle stations especially around Lagos. However, I believe we should not introduce too much complexity at this stage. Our faters say ' Ibi pelebe ni a ti nmu oole je' which means roughly that you start a given set of tasks from the easiest one.

nuru:
The LNG suggestion cannot work here in Nigeria. We do not have LNG fueling stations. However CNG can be considered becasue there are some CNG tank and vehicle stations especially around Lagos. However, I believe we should not introduce too much complexity at this stage. Our faters say ' Ibi pelebe ni a ti nmu oole je' which means roughly that you start a given set of tasks from the easiest one.

i support ur suggestion. if we begin from the less complex ones, then we will be upgrading little by little... am also here[manual as well as mental labour].

EgunMogaji:


So, everything Innoson is doing is what we should not be doing.

The first vehicle will be driven around the country with mandatory stops at all higher level institutions and major factories (yes, even Innoson). The four door version can be introduced to local leaders of motorparks.

You can't buy the type of free advertisement that people can give you freely.

Sometimes, u do so well that the government has no choice than to support u. That's what i am envisioning. We hadn't mentioned the burgeoning inter state transport that need buses and mini van. We must take baby step first though.

EgunMogaji:


So, everything Innoson is doing is what we should not be doing.

The first vehicle will be driven around the country with mandatory stops at all higher level institutions and major factories (yes, even Innoson). The four door version can be introduced to local leaders of motorparks.

You can't buy the type of free advertisement that people can give you freely.

I love this comment......I so much love it. nothing beats awareness.