PAN Nigeria Limited has concluded arrangements to commence CKD production of Peugeot 301 in earnest. This historic feat was attained recently when the Managing Director of the company, Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi and the PSA Group Vice President, Middle East and Africa, Mr. Jean-Christophe Quemard, signed a technical agreement that will allow PAN Nigeria to migrate from SKD (Semi-Knocked down) to CKD (complete knocked down) production.

Managing Director PAN Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi (left) with PSA Vice President, middle East and Africa?, Mr. Jean Christophe Quarmed during the CKD agreement signing at Paris recently.

Speaking shortly after the signing of the agreement in Kaduna, Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi, expressed happiness with the new development noting that the signed pact was a confirmation of confidence PSA Group has in the company. He stated that the mutual relationship between both parties have become more robust and stronger than ever before.

According to him,    the  early transition to CKD operation is in line with the objectives of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP), which encourages local production of vehicles and components in the country.

AlhajiBoyi re-affirmed the commitment of PAN Nigeria, a leader in the Nigerian auto industry, in realizing to fullest the objectives of the National Automotive Policy. CKD operations represent  a bold step towards real domestication of production activities in the localization of the auto industry, creating opportunities for jobs, skills and component parts manufacturing.

It would be recalled that in July 2014, PAN flagged off the local production of Peugeot 301 saloon cars under SKD platform. “The auto policy had provided a strong incentive  to re-open  industrial production for Peugeot vehicles after many years of in-activity, and attract the full support of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) partners, Automobile Peugeot (AP) France.

This partnership has created a new window of opportunity for employment and re-engagement of dis-engaged workers and also resuscitate the businesses of the largely moribund local component manufacturers” the Managing Director stated. With the commencement of  CKD production, PAN is the first to achieve such  milestone in the auto industry since the commencement of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP).