Vasco Technology Solutions Limited, popularly known as Africar, in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), has introduced a new ride-hailing service to ease transportation difficulties across the country.
LEADERSHIP reports that no fewer than 115 Nigeria-assembled mini-cars were launched last Thursday by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, for shuttle services in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
Africar, operating under a conglomerate known as Stallion Group, is a platform that has the potential to transform the transportation industry by providing both employment opportunities and low-cost rides.
Speaking during the launching, the director-general of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Jelani Aliyu, said the launching of the mini-cars, which is of international standards, is, therefore a step in the right direction.
Aliyu, represented by the Director, Industrial Infrastructure Department, Dr. Nua Omisanya, said the Council had worked tirelessly to ensure the survival and growth of the Nigerian automotive industry, with a view to enhancing the industry’s contribution to the national economy.
According to him, the newly introduced mode of transportation will enhance basic mobility for all, including visitors, easing mobility for students, workers and communities from various suburban areas to the city centre.
“NADDC continues its unwavering dedication to the support of local automotive production, and also continues to promote some of the latest technologies being developed,” he added.
Also speaking, the chief executive officer (CEO), Africar, Sahil Vaswani, said all the cars being used for the project were assembled at Stallion Group’s Von Plant in Lagos.
He added that the company and NADDC developed the Bajaj Qute cars purposely for the new ride-hailing taxi for Nigeria and would be taken to other states in the country, after Ibadan.
He said: “This car is assembled in Nigeria by Nigerians and is environmentally friendly, with 50 per cent lower carbon emissions than the average car.”
