By Moses Akaigwe
One of Nigeria’s fastest-growing auto companies, CIG Motors, has engaged the top gear in its quest to further drive the GAC brand into the hearts of the vehicles’ teeming lovers in Nigeria 
At a two-pronged ceremony on Thursday, the auto assembler and marketer unveiled the all-new edition of one of its finest offerings, the GS4, and inaugurated the modern G-style workshop, said to be the first of its kind in Africa.
And, predictably, on hand to perform both functions was a friend of GAC’s and Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who commended the tenacity of “the hard-working chairman of the CIG Group, Chief Diana Chen, for the success the brand in the country.”
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that, as a satisfied user of GAC vehicles even before he became the Chief Executive of Lagos, his love for the brand has spanned many years.
Sabwo-Olu on partnership with GAC
Speaking while unveiling the improved, award-winning GS4 crossover SUV, Gov. Sanwo-Olu acknowledged with delight CIG Motors’ plans to further invest in the provision of support facilities for the GAC brand and expand its network to other parts of the country.
“GAC vehicles, coming mainly as sedans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs), have been widely accepted in Nigeria, and are being used across the country,” the Lagos state governor remarked
He commended CIG Motors for thinking of the interest of it’s customers by investing in the bespoke workshop, commending the Chairman of the company “for doing a good job.”
Chef Chen, according to the governor, is “Chinese by spirit, and Nigerian by heart…She is a woman with a lot of energy to support the economy and provide employment. So, it was not difficult for us to partner with her company.”
He also recalled his visit to China ahead of the consummation of the relationship between the state government and GAC, which, he said, was “a testament to the success story” of the brand in Nigeria.
Gov. Sanwo-Olu earned an applause when he announced that Lagos state and GAC have entered into a partnership to build an auto assembly plant in the Ogba area of the state, which is expected to be commissioned before the end of the year.
Ultra-modern GAC workshop
In her remarks, Chief Chen said, “We are so proud to open our showroom and workshop, and we plan to open five of such facilities across the country.”
She explained that, with the opening of the G-Style showroom/workshop, the company is offering the G-Elite, G-Star and G-Family packages to different segments of the society which comes with numerous benefits.
Apart from the array of equipment in the workshop proper, the customers waiting section is tastefully furnished with an even more comfortable lounge for VIPs. “With the workshop, we are showing that we are not just selling vehicles to customers. We are making them part of the GAC family by ensuring they get satisfaction from using our vehicles.”
GAC, Chen quipped, “is not just a brand but has become a Nigerian brand.”
Earlier, while interacting with the motoring press, the CIG chairman explained that the workshop was not a run-of-the-mill auto service centre, but a world class facility designed to ensure smooth motoring for GAC users.
It is an ultra-modern, well equipped facility that professionally provides comprehensive after-sales support in a manner that not only keeps the GAC vehicles in good motoring condition all the time, but also gives peace of mind to the owners and endears them to the brand.
Following the commissioning, the governor and his entourage were shown the various sections of the re-built state-of-the-art workshop with specialised equipment for rendering services, such as express maintenance, general repairs, four-wheel alignment, spray booth, metal repairs, polishing and body work, among many others.
The Deputy General Manager, After-Sales, Obinna Oluge, disclosed that the workshop which handles between 20 to 40 vehicles a day, schedules customers’ vehicles visit to the workshop well ahead of the due dates with phone calls for reminders and post-maintenance/service feedback.
All-new GS4
Introducing the new GS4, the General Manager of CIG Motors, Jubril Arogundade, explained that the vehicle which is in its second generation, comes with ample leg room, three driving modes, amazing comfort and fuel economy as well as seamless navigation system.
Looking aesthetically impressive {thanks to its flying dynamics design}, the new GS4 earned commendations from Gov. Sanwo-Olu, who disclosed that the Lagos state government has in its pool of cars a good number of the previous generation of the SUV which are still doing well.
Soon after unveiling the new GS4 that flaunts a long list of safety and convenience features, the governor took the driver’s seat with Chief Chen sitting by his side to acquaint him with the interior characteristics.
Partnership with Wema, Polaris banks
Earlier in the morning, CIG Motors had signed a memorandum of understanding {MoU} with Wema bank, as the bank undertakes to finance another batch of 1000 units of GAC vehicles. While Chief Chen signed for CIG Motor, the Executive Director, Wole Ajimisinmi, represented Wema Bank PLC.
Another financial institution, Polaris Bank, was represented by the Managing Director, Innocent C. Ike, who announced that on the strength of partnership with CIG Motor, his bank is offering GAC lovers the opportunity to purchase vehicles of their choice taking advantage of a friendly finance scheme.
Chinese mission pledges support
The inauguration of the workshop and launch of the new GAC GS4 were witnessed by top government functionaries, captains of industries and the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Chu Maoming.
Addressing the guests, Maoming commended CIG Group for its achievements with GAC and other Chinese products, pledging the readiness of his office to support firms representing Chinese interests in Nigeria.