Mikano Motors Unveils Changan model range in renewed brands expansion plan

BY MIKE OCHONMA

The suspense is finally over as Mikano Motors reveals the identity of its mystery new brand to be Changan Auto.

In a press briefing at the Mikano Motors Head Office, VI, Lagos, esteemed members of the press were engaged in a session to explore the latest addition to Nigeria’s fastest growing automotive powerhouse.

Prior to the reveal, Mikano Motors had teased audiences’ pan-Nigeria for a month, with endorsements from Celebrity influencers such as Celebrity barman- Pascal Chibuike a.k.a. Cubana chief priest, Jemima Osunde, Akah Nnanni, Sydney Talker and Auto Enthusiasts Supercars of Nigeria and CarContinent who were also in attendace for the official reveal.

Also in attendance were a few customers who had already purchased from the Changan line-up by pre-order, amongst them were the first owners of the Changan CS85 Coupe, who also picked up their cars on the same day.

With the addition of Changan (formerly distributed by another Nigerian dealer), Mikano Motors becomes the sole distributor of brands from 3 of Chinas “Big Four” auto giants; Saic Motors (Maxus), Dongfeng Motor Corporation (ZNA), and now Changan Automobile Group. Established in 1862, Changan Auto is China’s oldest automaker and one of the pioneers of the automotive industry.

Their sojourn into building and retailing passenger vehicles, however, started 32 years ago. Since then, the brand has continued to gain immense popularity worldwide for its value offerings across all segments of the automotive industry with sales in the region of 8,500 units sold daily worldwide, under its brands, including Changan, Oshan, and Kaicene, and also its joint ventures with foreign brands like Lincoln, Ford and Mazda known as Changan Ford and Changan Mazda respectively, since 2012. With consistent focus on evolution and innovation, Changan Auto has set its sights on a fully electric line-up by 2025.

General manager, Mikano Motors, Ralph Haidar, stated that Mikano Motors partnership with Changan Auto is a powerful alliance that will further change the landscape of automobile ownership in Nigeria, in the wake of the success of the Geely brand.

He further stated that “We are expecting around 15 models from this brand, which will be complementary to our line-up from Geely Auto, Maxus and ZNA. In a bold and unprecedented move, Mikano Motors- Changan will be offering a 6 year/ 200,000km (whichever comes first) warranty to all its new customers while offering up to a 5 year warranty to existing Changan owners.

With 15 models, Mikano Motors promises that there will be a car to suit everyone’s needs. This is the first of its kind in all of Africa and one of the reasons why the Changan brand is performing well in some West African countries, especially of note, Ivory Coast.

This is also true for many Gulf countries like Qatar, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia where they offer even higher warranties. As a leading global provider of quality automobile sales and services, with a clear understanding of producing quality vehicles and considering the disposable income of auto buyers declines as a result of the global economic recession and other domestic factors, we understand that businesses and individuals need cars that combine durability, affordability, as well as luxury and technology which is what Changan and Mikano Motors are known to provide to its customers.

National sales manager, Mikano Motors- Chijioke Mbonu gave guests an insight into the sales performance of the Changan brand since its arrival at Mikano Motors, revealing that “the trust that clients have for the Mikano name has played a huge part in ensuring that sales of over 500 units have been made to Government parastatals, corporate organizations and individuals within the past 3 months under the presale terms”.

Syam Abdulkadir, Operations Manager for Mikano Motors shared that the company is prepared to handle customers from all the brands under Mikano Motors, with a 3S model that ensures that from the point of sale and throughout their auto journey, they will have peace of mind and the assurance of the all the benefits of the Mikano Motors value proposition.

He also made it clear that the brand has already put measures in place for expansion of facilities as needed.
Before closing the event, Haidar declared, the presales/ pre- order offer for Changan models.

The offer includes, but is not limited to all prices VAT deducted (as a form of discount), free registration and up to three years free service, depending on the model purchased.

Guests later took a walk around 4 of the 15 anticipated models that included the Eado DT sedan, CS35Plus, CS85 Luxury Coupe SUV and the Executive CS95 large SUV.