CCECC, Access Bank, FBN biggest Toyota buyers

Construction giant; Chinese Civil Engineering & Construction Company (CCECC),  Access Bank and First Bank of Nigeria plc have emerged as the three corporate institutions that purchased the highest number of Toyota brand of vehicles in Nigeria between January 1 and December 31, 2017.

This was one of the major highlights of the last 2017 Toyota Nigeria Limited customer and motoring journalists awards nite held last week Thursday at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Although the specific number of vehicles purchased by both CCECC, Access and First Banks were not disclosed during the night of glitz and razzmatazz, checks by our motoring reporter revealed that in 2017, some Toyota Nigeria dealers smiled to the banks with delivery of huge number of Hilux pick-up vehicles units to CCECC for its site construction solutions needs across the country.

Similarly, there are very strong indications that both Access Bankand First Bank of Nigeria which came second and third respectively in the 2017 vehicle purchase ranking may have bought majorly a very large number of passenegr vehicles to meet their staf needs.

While this is the first time the Chinese construction giant emerged the highest suitor for the Toyota brand since the inception of the award in 2005, the same may not be said of the two financial institutions which have in the past Toyota Awards won the different prices in the customer category.   

In the motoring journalists’ category, Mike Ochonma, motoring editor of BusinessDay Newspapers emerged as the ‘2017 Best Motoring Journalists’. Also adjudged past winner in some of the past editions of the award, the most travelld motoring journalist in the country also clinched the award in the 2016 edition. Theodore Opara of Vanguard Newspapers came second while Rasheed Bisiriyu finished third.  

Addressing the guests that gathered at the venue of the event, Kunle Ade-Ojo, managing director, Toyota Nigeria Limited, he stated that the awards nite has become a tradition for the franchisee to celebrate its customers and our key stakeholders on annual basis. This is just a modest way of showing our appreciation to them for the tremendous support we have enjoyed, and still enjoying from them. The loyalty of our customers through thick and thin is an eloquent testimony of their love for the Toyota brand and of course for us as a company.

In his submisission, ‘’At Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, we cherish our relationship with our customers. This relationship has stood the test of time and has endured over the years. Our customers have demonstrated on several occasions that they are not only ardent lovers and patrons of the Toyota brand but passionate advocates as well. The least we could do therefore is to set aside a day like this to celebrate them and showcase our token of appreciation’’.

The managing director expressed delight with the Toyota dealers in particular for their passion, loyalty and the ‘know how’ for the promotion of the brand in Nigeria, adding that other stakeholders have remained partners in progress over the years.

Ade-Ojo pointed out that, the dealers have also worked assiduously to deliver superior quality products and services in terms of safe, comfortable, and affordable automobile experience to our teeming customers in the country.

‘’We cannot overlook the dedication and commitment of the members of the Toyota family in the implementation of the strategic imperative of meeting our customers expectations and sustaining the number one position of Toyota in Nigeria’’. He stated.

While commending the board of directors whom he described as been fantastic in their unwavering support to TNL, Kunle Ade-Ojo noted that the staff has been fabulous in their contributions to the success and survival of the company in the face of unprecedented harsh operating environment.

The Toyota Awards he told the audience has come a long way and dating back to 2005. It has become one of the strategic tools of bonding with Toyota Nigeria and its partners and has helped in growing the rank of its customers and the company said, it is proud to say that Toyota has the highest number of valuable customers in Nigeria.

There were raffle draws during the night where lucky winners went home with juicy prizes like laptop, phones while many others won consolation prizes.

MIKE OCHONMA