Indications that Toyota Nigeria Limited, (TNL) representatives of Toyota Motor Corporation is concluding plans for the setting up of  a Toyota assembly plant in Nigeria emerged recently at the launch of the all-new Toyota RAV4 in Nigeria.

Chairman Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael Ade Ojo while speaking at the unveiling of the all-new Toyota RAV4 at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja said that the company is giving serious consideration to the plan.

“This is a very serious thought. It is a serious plan that should materialise by the grace of God as soon as most of the conditions are met”, he said.

Although Chief Ade Ojo could not categorically state when the plant would be built, he said the company was currently carrying out a survey to obtain necessary data that would lead to the setting up of the plant, pointing out that the actualisation of the plan would depend on a number of factors.

Though the Toyota Nigeria boss could not disclose the factors under consideration, it is believed that the issue of infrastructure, security, patronage and protection, as well as exchange rate would be among the factors.

He said: “when we get most of the things required, I can assure you, we will get an assembly plant in Nigeria. It should be recalled that Toyota has for more than a decade, dominated the imported car chart into the country with average of 20,000 brand new cars imported annually. It is also believed that more than this figure comes in as grey import.”

Speaking on the all-new Toyota RAV4, Chief Ade Ojo outlined the attributes of the compact sports utility vehicle which has dominated its class in the last two decades.

Continuing, he said: “there was no gain-saying the fact that the rich history of this model already imbues it with treasure house of attributes, peculiar only to all its siblings in our model line up.

“From its upgraded, trendier exterior, to its spacious interior design, the latest model of RAV4 will readily arouse in its freaks a driving pleasure, unparalleled in its class. Indeed, it is a remarkable package of safety, comfort and performance in equal proportion” he said, adding that the all new RAV4 will not only fulfill your mid SUV expectations, it will avail you value for your hard earned money.”

“Needless to say that the drive to surpass the expectations of our esteemed customers at all times is what stimulates us to continually push the borderlines of technology to the benefit of all stakeholders in the industry, hence, our gathering at this historic moment to usher in another trailblazer, the all new generation RAV4, tonight,” he said.

Also speaking at the unveiling, the managing director, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. C.K. Thampy described the launch as another milestone in the history of the company.

“I am delighted to see you all this evening when we mark the official introduction of the all-new RAV4 into the Nigerian market. Today would go down as another  milestone in the history  of our company and I am indeed very happy that all of you are here today to add dignity to this historic moment,” he said.