FORD LISTS NIGERIA AS STRATEGIC DESTINATION FOR BRAND DEVELOPMENT

FORD Motor Company has declared that Nigeria remained a key driver for the development of its brand products globally, just as it announced a 33 per cent sales increase in the country. Ford Motor’s Senior Manager, sub-Sahara Africa, (SSA), Eugene Prinsloo, made this disclosure at a media parley with the Ford management team to Nigeria, in Lagos. According to him, Nigeria was a very significant market in Ford’s sub-Sahara Africa region and accounted for a solid chunk of its regional sales. He said that the company’s sales in Nigeria grew more than 40 per cent from 2010 to 2011 and eight per cent from 2011 to 2012 despite overall challenges in the Nigerian auto industry. “So far, we have recorded continued growth in our performance with a 33 per cent increase in sales. Sales are up by 44 per cent through July compared with the same month in the previous year’s total sales through July were 2,156 units compare to1,617 units sold during the same period in 2012.” Prinsloo further explained that remarkable growth in sales was led by the high demand for the Ford Ranger pickup, Explorer SUV, Edge Crossover, Focus and Fusion sedans. “These vehicles sales account for 78 per cent of overall sales,” he said, adding that their continued growth and stability in sales could be attributed to their strong dealers’ network. The Ford boss however pledged that the company would continue to strengthen their dealers’ parts and service department, adding, “they were still seeing great results from the full line of vehicle choices available in their new product lineup.” According to him, part of their efforts to give customers the best service in Nigeria was when in 2012, Ford launched its extended warranty programme tagged the ‘Extended Service Programme, ESP’. The first of its kind, the ESP is offering customers free after-sales service of up to four years or 120,000km, whichever comes first through both of Ford’s dealer. He pointed out that currently, Ford operates 30 outlets including showrooms and service centres throughout Nigeria through its dealers, Briscoe-Ford Motors and Coscharis Motors.” “In the near future, Ford would be launching and establishing the EcoSport as a new, credible small urban SUV focusing on design, smart technologies and affordability. The EcoSport is a nameplate that exemplifies the DNA of Ford’s global vehicles and is a step forward in our One Ford strategy of producing best-in-class vehicles that take the lead in quality, technology, safety, fuel efficiency and design. “Our vision is to establish EcoSport as the most desirable small SUV in its segment.