Abuja Motor Show

The Porsche luxury range appears set to make a debut at the Abuja International Motor Fair as BKG Exhibitions seals a deal with Stallion Autos for the return of the auto giant to the premium motor show in sub-Sahara Africa, WRITES OLAOLU OLUSINA

Fcent tournament organised by the IBB International Golf Club, Abuja, the Porsche luxury range of vehicles appears set to return to the nation’s capital as the Porsche Centre Lagos concludes arrangements to make its maiden appearance at the Abuja International Motor Fair.

This followed the decision of Stallion Autos, authorised distributors of Porsche in Nigeria, to fully participate in the 14th edition of the annual motor show scheduled to start on October 16 at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

Managing Director, Stallion  Autos, Mr.  Parvir Singh, gave this assurance when the Managing Director/CEO, BKG Exhibitions Limited , organisers of the event, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu  Agwu, met with  top officials  of  Stallion Autos at the Hyundai Centre in Lagos  on Tuesday.

Explaining his mission at the  meeting , Agwu, who is also the Chairman, Organising Committee of the fair, said: “We recognise Stallion’s position as the biggest player in the sector with over 10 brands. Stallion Autos should therefore be interested in what is going on in the sector and should join in participating in the Managing Directors’ Forum with government officials which we started at the fair last year.” He also called for a more concrete and lasting partnership with Stallion Autos for participation at the annual show, saying “what we are doing will surely help the sector.”

Responding to the gesture, Singh said his company appreciated the efforts being put into the annual show by BKG Exhibitions even as he restated the commitment of Stallion Autos to developing the sector in Nigeria. He also assured that his company will display its entire range and brands of vehicles at the show. Deputy Managing Director, Stallion Autos, Mr. Julian Hardy, who is also the Head, Porsche Centre Lagos, added that the brands being marketed by Stallion Autos are brands that appeal to the taste of Nigerians, saying the company was also restructuring and improving its infrastructure with great emphasis on after-sales service.

This development is coming as BKG Exhibitions officially announced that all arrangements necessary for the successful take-off of the annual Motor Fair were going on as planned with the BKG Managing Director,  Agwu, confirming that “virtually all the major automobile brands in the country are heading for the venue.”

He said invitations had been sent out to all the stakeholders in the nation’s automobile sub sector to attend the fair, noting  that so far, the response has been encouraging.  Agwu also disclosed that Toyota Nigeria Limited, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria, Weststar Associates, Leventis Motors, Dana Motors, Hyra Motors, Lanre Shittu Motors, National Trucks Manufacturers, Jack Motors, and Stallion Motors are some of the automobile companies that have booked spaces at the event. Mobil Oil, Oando Plc, Mansard Insurance, according to him, are also heading to the Eagle Square in Abuja for the event.

Agwu, who disclosed that the importance of this year’s event cannot be over-emphasised as the automobile sector remains one of the best means of developing the nation’s economy, added that the automotive industry occupies a strategic position in the economic development of any nation.

He said as part of the effort to promote investment in the automotive sector, the 14th edition of the Abuja Motor Show will, in addition to the regular display of automobiles, spare parts, accessories and financials,   feature a  forum of Managing Directors of Automobile Companies  with heads of government Ministries, Departments and Agencies whose activities and functions impact on the industry. This strictly industry gathering, according to Agwu,  is tagged the ‘MD’s Nite.’

Another outstanding feature of the forthcoming edition, he disclosed,  is the  All Nigerian Transport Summit  which will host all the major private and public players in the road transportation sector to rub minds on moving the sector forward.