DPR, Nestle, LASG 2015 Toyota highest fleet buyers

The trio of Lagos State government, Nestle Plc and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) have emerged as the biggest buyers of different models of Toyota the brand as corporate fleet operators in the customer award category at the 2015 Toyota Nigeria Limited awards night held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

In terms of ranking and for remaining a rime customer during the 2015 business year, the Department Of Petroleum Resources came tops as the corporate operator that bought the highest number of Toyota vehicles and got the sum of N2million as prize money. It was followed by Nestle Plc in the first runner up and Lagos State government in the second runner up positions respectively, the duo was rewarded with N1.5million and N1million respectively.

During the award night, First Bank Nigeria plc was awarded the Evergreen Customer award. According to Henry Ojuoko, head, dealer development and special projects of Toyota Nigeria Limited who spoke to BusinessDay, he said that to determine the winner of the ‘Evergreen’ award, the total accumulated number of Toyota vehicles purchased under a five year period is calculated.

The bank emerged winner as the customer that made the biggest purchase of Toyota between 2011 and 2016 and was presented with a cheque of N2.5million as winning prize. Recall the during 2014 edition of the TNL Awards in the customer category, First Bank Nigeria Plc emerged the ‘Customer of the Year’, while the Department of Petroleum Resources emerged first runner-up.

In his remarks, Michael Ade-Ojo noted that Toyota’s philosophy still remains ‘customer first’ which has helped them to retain the number one position for over a decade in Nigeria despite challenge economic and operating business environment.

He said: “The philosophy of customer first is key to us and we are taking the necessary steps to ensure that you enjoy your Toyota in Nigeria because your satisfaction is important to us.’’ According to him, irrespective of last year’s challenging atmosphere, Toyota still retained the number one position in the country.

MIKE OCHONMA