Kia Nigeria eyes 90% local content with 27,000 capacity facility

Dana Motors, authorised dealer of Kia vehicles in Nigeria said the organisation has concluded plans to source 90 per cent of its vehicle components in the country.

The organisation said that the plan, which is in line with the automotive policy of the Nigerian government, was geared towards advancing Nigeria’s economy, particularly in the face of the drop in government revenue.

The Chief Commercial officer, of the organisation, Sandeep Malhotra stated in Lagos that “Nigeria remains an emerging and growing economy in the world with vast potentials for growth”.

According to Malhotra, “Kia Motors Nigeria is now focus on local content utilisation in its made in Nigeria Kia cars. The plant in Lagos is progressing on schedule for the utilisation of local contents in its assembling process and currently sourced some of its parts including refrigerant, lubricant, and workshop consumables amongst others locally”

He stressed that despite Nigeria’s myriad of challenges, the country promises a large economy of scale.

“It’s incumbent upon us as a local investor to help her realise its goals. As a company with an unswerving interest on the advancement of the nation’s economy, we have a plan to utilise 90 per cent local content in our assembly process to help strengthen the economy”, Malhortra stated.

He said that the organisation would focus on looking at further strengthening its foothold and expanding its reach in the localisation of Vehicle assembling in the country.

Malhortra maintained that the company has produced over 4500 units of cars since its launch in the second quarter of 2015.

Director General, National Automotive Design and Development Council, Aminu Jala told The Guardian that the council would ensure that priority is shifted to increasing local content in the sector in 2016.