The founder of Elizade Nigeria Limited, the number one Toyota dealer in Nigeria, Chief Michael Ade Ojo, has advised customers to ensure regular maintenance of their Toyota vehicles, especially at this time when import duties and taxes on new vehicles have risen to as high as 70 per cent.

Chief Ade Ojo who was speaking at the 2014 fleet manager’s forum organised by his company for their customers, said it is in the interest of the vehicle owners to take care of them if they want the best from the asset.

Comparing the vehicles to human body, the Elizade Nigeria founder explained “as you grow, the body needs attention just like the car. It is important, one takes care of his vehicles.

Continuing, he said, “one of the personal asset that people own is vehicle. It is important to support the vehicle, if you don’t take care of small problems, they will become bigger problems in the long run.”

According to him, Elizade has put in place world-class workshops and qualified technicians to handle customer’s vehicles problems in various locations of the country.

Also speaking at the occasion, the chairman of Elizade Nigeria Limited, Dr. Herbert Ajayi commended the customers for their support over the years, adding that the customer loyalty programme was designed to serve the customers better.

“The theme of this year’s customer loyalty programme tagged: “Toyota my brand, Elizade my choice aptly describes our very strong and focus relationship. We have both fallen in love with the number one auto brand in the world, Toyota. You have also chosen Elizade as number one Toyota dealer and service provider in Nigeria,” he stated.

The chairman further pointed out that the company’s focus has remained “customer first” adding that they will never be satisfied until customers are satisfied.

Describing this, as both a pledge and promise to customers, Dr. Ajayi pointed out that customers have been the reason they are a “living corporate colossus” in Nigeria today, despite being a wholly-owned indigenous company.

“Since the establishment of Elizade, over four decades ago, we have been consistent in celebrating our customers. We celebrate you because we believe in the prime of place you occupy in our corporate affairs.”

He told the customers that their loyalty to their twin-brand, Elizade-Toyota can never be misplaced, as they have on their hands, quality products, backed by excellent after sales services and genuine spare parts.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Managing Director of Elizade Nigeria Limited, Mr. Demola Ade-Ojo, said that without the customers, the success they recorded in their over 40 years of existence would have been impossible.

“Permit me therefore to applaud you for your unflinching support for our twin-brand “Elizade-Toyota.” You are indeed the reason we have been able to weather the very inclement economic weather for over four decades of our existence as a world-class indigenous corporate entity.”

Elizade, he said, has been in the forefront of rendering world-class service both in the sales and after sales arm of our business.

This, he said was perhaps the reason they have not only remained very relevant in the scheme of things in the auto sector of the Nigerian economy, but have also remained the undisputed leader and force to be reckoned with in the industry.

He added that the customers’ varied contributions have helped them tremendously in remaining very relevant at the top of their sector of the Nigerian economy.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director disclosed that in their drive to serve customers better they have moved to increase their presence all over the country with additional outlets in Lagos, Ikeja and Victoria Island, all medium smart 3S facilities of world standards.

He also noted that they were strengthening their Lekki, Ibadan and Akure 3S facilities to improve service delivery.

In the South east axis, Ade Ojo said that they are in Port Harcourt, Uyo, Asaba and Umuahia while Enugu facility would come up next year.

Apart from Ogba Ultra Modern 3S facility in Lagos, the managing director said that they have safety workshop in Lekki, Marina, Anthony and Oregun beside the state of the art facility in Abuja, while Akure and Ibadan are available to South-West customers.