JAC Truck raises standard, alleges drop in industry quality
Chinese truck manufacturer, JAC Motors, has continued to improve on the quality of its truck models as it competes favourably with popular European brands, Group Executive Director of Lanre Shittu Motors, Taiwo Shittu, has said.
He stated this as some automakers are beginning to drop quality of their models due to rising cost of trucks, even as he warned truck buyers in Nigeria to be mindful of the quality and the support being offered to avert frequent breakdown of the vehicles.
Shittu spoke recently in Lagos after his company won two major awards, Truck Company of the Year and Truck Plant of the Year, at the Nigeria Auto Journalists Awards.
He particularly noted that the drop in truck quality could be found in areas such as the axle, transmission system, frame, Cab and the Chassis.
He said: “Instead of increasing the quality of their trucks, many are reducing it so as to maintain low cost. For instance, some have reduced their axle from 16 tons to 12; from double frame to single, and from 12-speed transmission to 10.”
He, however, said the JAC brand of trucks has maintained high quality and could compare well in many areas with those from popular European manufacturers.
JAC Trucks has been embraced and accepted by the big players in the industry across the Southern and Northern parts of the country.
“Those who use the JAC trucks can tell the difference. We have an excellent after-sale service that reduces downtime. JAC trucks come with air conditioner; the seats have air suspension; the power steering is Bosch, giving one a good cruise/ride and allows the driver to be comfortable after driving for a long time.”
According to Shittu, the quality of after-sale support offered by an auto company will largely determine how long its vehicles will stay active on the road.
He said: “A brand can be good but without good after-sale support, the brand will pack up in no time.
“There are many ‘Brief Case’ businessmen coming into Nigeria today without an office going about looking for who to sell trucks to, knowing that the trucks are not built for the Nigerian market. They sell and leave one with problems and without any support.
“Even if you bring the best truck from Germany, without any support, it will crumble in no time.”
