Inline with the developmental programmes of the 2023-Nigeria Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP), geared towards enhancing automotive components Integration in the industry, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) and the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) on Monday 19th August 2024 embarked on strategic familiarization tour of auto parts manufacturers in Nigeria.
According to NADDC, the facilities visited on the first day of the tour in Lagos State were Mikano Break Pads, Vita Parts Nigeria, Chanrai Nigeria Limited and Vita Visco Nigeria Ltd.
The tour is basically aimed at strengthening relationships among Nigerian auto part manufacturers, and fostering collaboration with the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in promoting growth and development in the industry.
Speaking during the tour, the Director General, NADDC, Mr. Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, stated that the aim of the visit was to focus on component parts manufacturers.
He mentioned that discussions were earlier held with components parts manufacturers and auto assemblers.
“The first leg of the visit, whose aim was to assess the capacity of assembly plants is complete. The second phase focuses on enhancing the capabilities of components parts manufacturers” , he added.
Accompanied by technical partners, Osanipin emphasized the vast aftermarket that abound in Nigeria for auto parts.
Chief Executive Officer of AAAM, Dave Coffey, praised Mikano International Limited’s machinery quality, highlighting its potential for high product capacity. He emphasized the need for policy support to maximize production, aiming for 5-day, 3-shift operations.
Coffey identified an opportunity to localize production, reducing imports, particularly for aftermarket components.
He also suggested collaborating with NADDC to adjust duty structures and target specific products, leveraging Nigeria’s massive market..
Managing Director of VitaVisco Nigeria Limited, Joseph Musa, discussed the company’s struggles and aspirations.
Established to supply automotive foam, VitaVisco faces low patronage, forcing them to explore alternative uses for their equipment.
The Business Manager of Vita Parts Nigeria Limited, stated that the company is an indigenous manufacturer of oil filters, producing various ranges for Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, Kia, and Hyundai. They have two factories: a fabrication factory for raw materials and an assembly plant for finished products. Currently, raw materials are sourced from China due to local unavailability, but efforts are being made to source locally.
