By Theodore Opara

DANA Group of Companies has finally taken the Renault passenger car franchise in Nigeria, with a promise to make customer satisfaction a priority. Renault Passenger car franchise was until last year under the CFAO group in Nigeria.

Dana Motors and Renault Motors recently signed a memorandum of understanding making Dana the new sole distributors of the Renault brand of passengers cars in Nigeria.

Briefing the press at their office along Oshodi-Apapa expressway, Dana Motors Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Sudeep Malhotra said that the company is poised to re-enact what they did with the Kia brand with Renault in Nigeria. He recalled that when Kia was re-introduced into the Nigerian market by Dana over ten years ago, the feeling was that the brand would not succeed but the brand few years later became a huge success  in the country.

The same feeling, he said, is what Renault customers envisaged about the new brand which Dana plan to also make a house-hold name in the near future. He described the Renault brand as very exciting, sharing technology with the revered Nissan brand.

According to him, Renault has been in Africa, building quality cars made with European technology for the past 40 years and aims to increase its market share in the region as the global trend of foreign direct investments shifts focus from Europe to Africa. In view of this trend, Renault has sought after a reliable partnership with the technical know-how and experience to “Drive the Change”, and Dana Motor became the ultimate choice.”

“Dana Cars and service is proud to announce this new partnership with Renault Motors and aims to surpass expectations by providing quality cars made in Europe that are to last.”, said Mr. Malhotra, during the media briefing. According to him, Dana Cars communicated their plans to open a 3S facility in the heart of Lagos before the end of the year and commence after sales services to current Renault owners.

Also speaking at the occasion, Head of Marketing, Dana Cars and Service, Mr. Kayode Adejumo hinted that eight exciting Renault models will be available in the Nigerian market. He said, “Renault Nigeria will be kicking off with new generation Logan, Fluence and Sandero, Duster etc. He disclosed the new models will  be unveiled soon during the launch of the new facility.

Dana cars will aim to position Renault as a European brand, providing driving pleasure and very reliable cars, with high quality service tropicalised to suit Nigerian weather and road conditions, he said.

Renault new concept is to provide new products adapted to Nigerian market with high safety levels of European standards.