By THEODORE OPARA
BARELY one month to the end of the year, Toyota Nigeria Limited, TNL said it has achieved a 30 per cent sales growth, thereby maintaining the lead in the Nigerian local auto market.

The Executive Director of TNL Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo who disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos attributed the achievement to the strong performance recorded in the commercial vehicle segment.

Mr. Ade-Ojo who said TNL targets to sell about nineteen thousand vehicles before the year runs out, also disclosed that they recorded strong sales performance in the passenger segment where the Toyota Corolla has maintained the lead in its segment.

“Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has been able to quickly recover from the Tsunami. Compare to last year we have grown by about 30% due to strong performance in the commercial vehicle  segment.” He said.

He further disclosed that the flood in Thailand also affected most auto manufacturers including Toyota but added that Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is working hard to minimize the impacts of the disaster.

He said Toyota is continually improving on its products adding that the Hilux has just undergone a facelift to guard against threats from other competing brands.

According to him, TNL has maintained unbeatable after-sales which have kept it on top as the market leader in the nation’s auto market.

He explained that part of the reason for Toyota’s success is that the company is ensuring that right products are brought into the Nigeria.

“There are products which we are selling that are not in other markets. What Toyota does is ensuring that the right products are sold in the Nigerian market” he stated. The Executive Director said TNL is desirous of having an assembly plant in Nigeria but noted it has been hindered by lack of infrastructure.

“Having an assembly plant is very desirous to TNL. But before you have an assembly plant you must have infrastructure on ground such power, road, spare parts supplier, our chairman is desirous of this, even Peugeot that has an assembly plant here is importing most of its models” he stated.