Mr Sanyaolu Olalekan, the Sales Manager, Anambra Motor Compny (ANAMCO) Enugu, has said the company has introduced two new models of Dongfeng trucks in its fleet for the Nigerian market.
Olalekan said in Enugu that the trucks were introduced at the ongoing 30th Enugu International Trade Fair.
He said that ANAMCO had been into commercial automobile production over the years, adding that they assemble trucks and buses of all models.
He said that the company initially partnered with Mercedes Benz but discontinued after the partnership expired and was not renewed, adding that it was still in search of a good partner.
Olalekan said: “We now look toward China instead of Europe.
“Considering the high exchange rate, we decided to go for Chinese product.
“Though we did not just go for any product because we wanted a truck that would meet the standard that ANAMCO had already set in the automobile industry.
“We were able to partner with Dongfeng, which had been in the automobile industry for 50 year, having begun production in 1969.
He said that the company was rated the number one automobile in China and 38 in the world.
“So, that is why we are happy to partner with them and present their product to Nigerians in this fair’’, he said.
Olalekan said that ANAMCO which was commissioned in 1980, started production in 198 in its facilities in Emene, Enugu.
He said that the factory then could produce 7,500 trucks and 1000 buses per annum.
He said that in the early 1980s, the company had already got to the level of achieving its target.
He, however, regretted that the company had faced serious challenges since its contract with Mercedes Benz elapsed.
“If you produce without people requesting for it, usually it is a big challenge.
“Dongfeng has its spare parts department in ANAMCO you can imagine when you assemble a vehicle, you generate employment for people.
“And you can imagine the kind of employment an automobile company can generate for a state both direct and indirect.
“It is a big employment opportunity to the people of the state and the country at large,’’ Olalekan said.
He said that they now had two models of trucks, including 1619 and 3438 models, assembled in Enugu, with their spare parts department also in Enugu.
He opined that with the availability of the spare parts guaranteed, the trucks would always be on the road.
According to him, the vehicles have one year warrantee of 100,000 kilometers.
He expressed happiness that the company took part in this year’s trade fair, having been unable to take part for al long time.
Olalekan expressed gratitude to the
Federal Government for its Auto Mobile Policy, saying that it had given
the company a lot of boost to do better.
