Tricycle dealer records growth in sales with 55% market share

Stallion Auto Keke Limited, distributor of Bajaj three-wheelers and four-wheelers in Nigeria has said it recorded growth and significant successes despite many challenges as it celebrates its first anniversary.

Speaking at the ceremony in Lagos, Managing Director, Stallion Auto KeKe Limited, Manish Rohtagi, said the company has emerged stronger and better despite the socio-economic and environmental challenges like stiff competition, shifting consumer mind-set, increase in the foreign exchange rate, stringent government policies (Keke ban across some states) among other challenges.

Rohtagi said: “We are excited to announce that we have recorded over 10,000 happy customers and more than 50,000 Keke sales across the country. It was indeed remarkable when we recorded a market share (India Export Figures) of 49 per cent during the financial year 20-21 against 35 per cent during 19-20. Precisely, we achieved a market share of 55 per cent in the last quarter of FY 20-21, Jan-Mar’21, and not only that, we have made huge inroads in East, Ibadan and Lagos.

“It is noteworthy that we are also delivering huge value to the Nigerian society through our various initiatives. We are committed to the empowerment of Nigerians in general and especially young women which is why our expansive Stallion Empowerment Initiative (SEI) programme focuses on female three-wheeler drivers, mechanical training and assembling. More than 2000 young women have benefited. In addition to this, we train females on financial management, inventory management and other aspects of management,” he said.

He said the company has not only trained females but also hired them in its assembly plants and as field mechanics.

“We also arrange for loans and driving licences for them to ensure their uplifting. Many females are now earning three to five times what they used to earn before our interventions. Currently, we have around 20 per cent females with a commitment to make it 33 per cent by the end of the year 2022.

“In line with this vision, 40 women have been trained and integrated into our VON assembly plant in Lagos, Nigeria, our goal is to train and absorb 500 female technicians by 2022. We also run park by park activations and launched a special ‘Pan Nigeria Keke Rally’ where we inform customers about our product features and benefits and many more,” he said.

“Despite several unfavourable factors that marred the year 2020 especially the COVID-19 Pandemic, we continued to excite Nigerians with lots of activities which directly and indirectly positively impact the Nigerian economy”, he added.

Last year, the company launched its tricycle in Nigeria, the RE 250 along with the unveiling of Nigeria’s superstar footballer Jay-Jay Okocha in the presence of over 100 keke dealers and other prominent members in Lagos.

Fielding questions from journalists, Okocha said that he is very happy to be an ambassador of the brand, adding that there have been certain levels of improvements.

“Keke generates employment for those in SME. It was very interesting to me. Keke is encouraging as it has come to empower a lot of Nigerian youths. It also creates a platform for an average Nigerian to build up. Keke does not just only come as a cheap means of transport but equally solves other problems. It has a certain level of protection and comfort on the road,” he said.