The National Automotive Council, NAC, has commended Ford Motors and Coscharis Motors over their initiatives to set up a Ford Plant in Nigeria.

Mr. Luqman Mamudu, Director, Policy and Planning, NAC, told Vanguard on Sunday that the coming of Ford, one of the world’s leading automobile companies signifies the acceptance of the policy  by the leading world’s automobile makers from across the globe.

He disclosed that 36 world class automakers had shown keen interest in setting up plants in the country while enquiries are still coming from many others.

“We are quite happy that Ford is joining others to set up plant in Nigeria through partnership with Coscharis Motors, a reputable Nigerian car marketing company and we are confident that the government would continue to give support to the policy to enable Nigeria reap the full benefit as an automobile manufacturing country.

Although, Mr. Mamudu explained that Ford was following the current tradition by most of the auto company by partnering with Nigerian companies, to assemble at Semi Knockdown, SKD, level, he hopes that Ford would quickly move to complete knockdown, CKD, category  as soon as possible.

“We are confident that Coscharis will ensure that they move to CKD level with time which is what the Council is looking forward to.

Mr. Mamudu noted that though Ford is starting with the assembling of Ranger Pickup for now but added that the company would as from the first quarter of next year produce the Ford Explorer and another model at their Awoyaya, Lekki, Lagos plant which is under construction

Describing the Cosharis/Ford partnership as a good development, the director said: “I know Ford would have come directly on their own but for  the fear of policy somersault by government.

But with the partnership with Coscharis, they are sure of their investment.