VIEWPOINT

Various models and series were even purchased and distributed to officers of the Nigeria Police, Armed Forces, paramilitary agencies – Customs and Immigration by the Obasanjo civilian regime (1999 – 2007). Peugeot models were not only elegant they were rugged. There were many models to choose from: 203, 302, 403, 404, 504, 505, 605, 606, 607, etc. The Peugeot 504 and 505 station wagons were the most versatile commercial cars used for long distance journeys in Nigeria. They could run Lagos – Sokoto, Lagos – Kano, etc and return without stopping except to load, unload, fuel and allow passengers to feed or attend to call of nature. Some of those purchased over ten years ago are still on the road transporting commuters from one distant location to another in Nigeria.
Peugeot salon and station wagon models were loved by owners, drivers and mechanics. They could be serviced and repaired anywhere, anytime and any day. There was the J-5 mini-bus model called the “landjet” by commuters travelling from one distant location to another. It was so fast that journeys that would take other vehicles 10 hours would be made in about eight hours. This made it a popular choice for almost all Nigerian youths (students, youth corpers, boys and girls). There were later the super executive and expensive models, the 600 series, designed for the rich, top civil servants and high profile political office holders. In order words, the Peugeot models were able to meet the needs of every class of people in the society. Why is PAN no longer producing in Nigeria as it was the situation decades earlier even with government and private patronages? Peugeot headquarters in France has not closed down production yet PAN has in Nigeria. What went wrong?
There was the VON in Lagos. Volkswagen Beetle was a very popular brand among the middle class of Nigerian workers in the 1970s and 1980s. All level 7 officers in the nursing, teaching, administration and technical positions in the public service and traders cherished the Beetle car. It was cheap to purchase, economical to run and maintain, and rugged on the road. It could pass through flood without the engine going off. I still remember the slogan “Don't kill the Beetle” of the 1970s and 1980s.
The slogan was intended to warn owners not to overload the car due to its ruggedness and perceived strength. Millions of Beetle cars were sold and they kept moving on Nigerian roads then. There was the associated Combi Bus (mini-bus) popular with commercial motor vehicle operators, drivers and commuters. They were the cheap commercial vehicles of choice for workers and traders within towns. Millions were sold and used in Nigeria. Some are still on the road now. Both Beetle and Combi Bus were renowned for their fuel efficiency. They had other attributes too. They were air cooled and could be serviced and repaired by most mechanics.
There were the faster moving and more elegant variants common with the average and above average Nigerians then. These were the Passat, Gallant, Jetta and Audi models. In spite of all the patronages, VON stopped car assembly long ago. What killed VON? Volkswagen headquarters in Germany is till waxing stronger and owns a vehicle “city”, a mighty skyscraper where new models are displaced for inspection and purchase.
There was the celebrated ANAMCO in Enugu from old Anambra State (later split into Anambra and Enugu States) where Mercedes Benz vehicles were produced in the 1980s and 1990s. The military government of both Messrs Buhari and Babangida attempted to claim credit for the coming into production of ANAMCO's Mercedes Benz vehicles. Nigerians cherish the Mercedes Benz because they are rugged, elegant and used as barometers for the identification of the above average. Why? They are expensive and consume more quantities of fuel. But the Mercedes Benz models have one advantage – They never summersault even at high speeds.
The various car models include the V-boot, Mercedes 180, 200, 230, 250, 300 and 330 series. There are still the more elegant and expensive models for the rich and high profile political office holders – the E-class and four wheel drive. For long distant transportation, there are the mini-buses and luxury buses. Most transporters use the luxury buses to move commuters and goods over long distances whilst using the mini-buses for executive tours and travels. In view of this demand trend, we need to ask a few questions. How many ANAMCO vehicles are on the road today compared to imported Mercedes Benz by private importers? Very little! What has led to this unwanted development?
Other less prominent motor vehicle assembly plants include Leyland Assembly Plant in Ibadan from old Oyo State (now split into Oyo and Osun States). The place has been abandoned. What killed it? Others include Styre Assembly Plant in Bauchi, Bauchi State and Fait Assembly Plants in Kano, Kano State. What killed them? What about the motorcycle assembly plants, are they thriving instead of the motor vehicle assembly plants? No! What killed them?
*Concluded