By FRANKLIN ALLI

Globe Motors Holdings Nigeria Limited has entered into partnership with Higer Bus Company of China to build a N19.8 billion ultra modern vehicle assembly plant in Lagos.

In a statement, Mr. Victor Oguamalam, Managing Director, Globe Motors, said the company’s partnership with Higer would ensure high quality and affordable automobile vehicles for Nigerians and create jobs in the country.

He said that the vehicle assemby plant would come on stream within 18 months for the assembling of buses while other Higer range of vehicles would follow thereafter.

According to him, the company has acquired about 12 hectares of land and it is already being developed for the plant.
He said the assembling plant has the capacity to produce over 22,000 vehicles annually.
He also disclosed that the plant would be the first of its kind in the country with separate divisions to produce two other international automobile brands in addition to the Higer range of vehicles.
Oguamalam said the plant would also introduce completely new models designed solely for Nigerian market, stressing that this would give the brand a Nigerian identity.
“Higer Bus Company Limited was established in 1998, and considered one of the fastest developing bus manufacturers in China.

The company is renowned for its innovation driven by its strong research and development efforts “Higer’s technological infrastructure is provided by Toyota, the internationally renowned Japanese auto maker, and also has technical partnership with Scania for developing, manufacturing and exporting buses of very high and international standard to Europe. The company produces and sells buses and other vehicles in different countries in Africa, Middle East, Europe, South-east Asia and South America.

“With 15 years of continuous improvements and growth, Higer has built a modern bus manufacturing base exporting to 85 countries and territories worldwide. It has over 50 series and more than 300 models covering coaches, city buses, new energy buses, mini buses, school buses, Bus Rapid Transit buses, Pick-ups, SUV’s among others,” he said.