National Daily

JAC Rein, Refine excel in road test

By DAPHNE UDUNEJE

AFTER successfully unveiling the JAC brand of automobiles to prospect customers in the country last month, Super Motors Limited marketers of the brand and a subsidiary of Sun Group sole franchisee of JAC, in a swift move to further position its brand in the market, recently organised a long haul road test conducted by some motoring press in the country.

According to the test drive team which included the Natarajan Menon, General Manager Super Motors Limited, Manny Philipson, Managing Director, Media Advocate Limited; consultants to Sun Group, the road test was conduced specifically for JAC Rein a Sports Utility(SUV) and JAC Refine a Multipurpose Van(MPV) .Both vehicles were driven from Lagos to Abuja covering over 1,400 kilometres. From Lagos to Abuja covering over 1,400 kilometres.

According to information made available the test aside other revelations, reaffirmed the agility and ruggedness of the Chinese engineered JAC range of Rein) and Refine, it also redressed to an end the seeming controversy over the capability of Chinese engineered vehicles.

Perhaps, the first of its kind, the local automobile media put the duo of Rein and Refine to the test on the windy and pot-ridden roads network of the ancient South West towns and villages of Ife, Osun State; Ekiti in Ekiti State as well as Kabba and Lokoja in Kogi State Nigeria.

Commenting on the performance of the vehicles Menon, and Philipson, jointly explained that the test drive was part of the itineraries preceding the official launch of the JAC brand in Nigeria.

“It is also our intention to subject these vehicles to practical tests in the tropics and particularly on Nigerian roads to know if they are capable of delivering value for money. In fact, similar tests have recorded huge successes in countries such as Argentina, Turkey, Algeria, Malaysia, Kuwait, Doha and Saudi-Arabia.”
Explaining further Menon and Philipson at a stop over in Akure, Ondo state told the media that aside the Rein and Refine, JAC truck range of vehicles have also survived tough tests in some of the worst terrains in the Asian sub continent, where they perform outstandingly as other renowned Japanese brands.

“All JAC vehicles are designed with the users in mind that is why the truck range is built tough to ensure the owners get more returns and less downtime in maintenance and repairs”.

Some of the features that distinguish JAC trucks according to the spokespersons include air brakes and exhaust braking system, which are made standard on all JAC vehicles to enhance safety and improve stopping power even when carrying heavy loads. Adding that “JAC vehicles exhaust braking mechanism do not only reinforce back-up braking power but cuts down wear and tear on brake pads”

The Refine is a 2.4litre MPV with a designed cabin to offer a mobile conference setting even when driving. This facility is made possible by the seats which have been uniquely designed to rotate 360 degrees. Mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with seating capacity for seven passengers, the Refine MPV has good road grip and excellent cornering ability.

Rein comes with a 2.0 litre engine with five-speed manual transmission. According to the manufactures it has been deliberately crafted to match rival brands might for might.

Manufactured by a leading Chinese heavy duty truck automaker, Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Company Limited, JAC automobile brand International began operations in 1960 and has grown exponentially with representations in several countries including Argentina, Turkey, Algeria, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Nigeria.

JAC was listed on Shanghai stock exchange in 2001 with Lion Asia Pack Limited, a member of the Lion Group, as one of its five major share holders.
The automaker attributes its success to continuous Research and Development (R and D), quality in manufacturing and credibility in after sales services.

With an annual production capacity of 150, 000 units of vehicles in 2004, JAC has shot up sales to more than 127, 000 units with a turnover of 8 billion and profit in excess of 400 million.

Ashok Leyland partners Dana Group on vehicle distribution Ashok Leyland, India's largest commercial vehicle manufacturer has concluded arrangement to enter the Nigerian commercial vehicle segment with the appointment of Sterling Motors Limited, a subsidiary of Dana Group as its Nigerian distributor.

Speaking on the partnership, Managing Director of Dana Group, Jacky Hathiramani, said, "Our relationship with Ashok Leyland is borne out of our commitment to providing quality products to Nigerians. Transportation is vital to national development. Metro road transportation is evolving which will further enhance the need for quality trucks for goods and mass transportation. . We aim at supporting this evolution by providing Ashok Leyland's complete product line-up, which will include commercial trucks and transport buses. "

Ashok Leyland's products offered through Sterling Motors include light / medium trucks and mass transport Buses.

Ashok Motors was set up in 1948 for the assembly of Austin Cars. The company's destiny and name changed soon with equity participation by British Leyland and Ashok Leyland commenced manufacture of commercial vehicles in 1955. Since then the company has been a major player in India's commercial vehicle industry with a tradition of technological leadership, achieved through tie-ups with international technology leaders and through vigorous in-house research and development.

Ashok Leyland has established itself as the first with technology in India. The company pioneered full air brakes, power steering and rear engine buses concepts in response to the operating conditions and practices in the country. Its vehicles are strong and engineered with extra metallic muscles.

According to. Hathiramani "Making durable products that make economic sense to the consumer using appropriate technology is the design philosophy of Ashok Leyland. Their vehicles have built a reputation for reliability and ruggedness and these are qualities that Nigerians want in their vehicles."

In the populous Indian metros, four out of the five trucks or buses come from Ashok Leyland. Ashok Leyland is the first in India's automobile history to get the ISO 9002 certification. The more comprehensive ISO 9001 certification followed in 1994, QS 9000 in 1998 and ISO 14001 certification for all vehicle manufacturing units in 2002. It is also the first Indian auto company to receive the latest ISO/TS 16949 Corporate Certification which is specific to the auto industry.