The race to excel in the local automobile market this year, indeed, got off to a good start as automobile companies, notwithstanding the recession which set in last year, are now beginning to define the trend of the industry for the year. One of the early birds in this regard is Alliance Autos, franchise owners of the Nissan automobile brand in the company. It was therefore inspiring, when last week, the company introduced its first entrant for the year, the Nissan AX model, one tonne pick-up light truck, to motoring correspondents for assessment.
The introduction of this 2.4 litre engine, AX D22 model of the Nissan one tonne pick-up into the Nigerian market may be sporting a new nomenclature, but beneath the appealingly rugged exterior lies the same quality of the Navara chassis. On this AX D22 model platform, Nissan has added discrete styling modifications as standard to the high specification AX range now being introduced. A chromed grille brings a new level of beauty to the front end, while body-coloured door handles, bumpers and distinctively muscular arches make for a more cohesive, punchier package to admire. The new design door mirrors are now electrically operated while its musical system has excellent sound reproduction with a standard four-speaker audio set up.
Further interior upgrades include power windows, plusher seat trimmings and carpets, a vanity mirror for the passenger, and more comfortable bucket seats. Safety is further improved with the standard fitment of automatic braking system, ABS, and airbags for both front occupants as well as an automatic door-locking mechanism.
Indeed, in the new AX range, the Japanese automaker may be delivering an ideal combination of durability and desirability. For instance, the D22 pick-up combines the strength of a workhorse, capable of enduring very harsh working conditions and terrain, and at the same time, could be used as a stylish, and very comfortable leisure vehicle which will always attract a second look wherever it goes.
According to Pavir Singh, managing director, Alliance Autos, the company is now in the position to offer a complete line-up of light commercial vehicle, LCV, solutions to Nigerian customers. He assured that fleet operators can now source their full range of automobile requirements across all segments ranging from affordable half-tonne workhorse, to well equipped work and leisure vehicles for top-rank staff, while still retaining excellent build quality and the lowest total cost of ownership, TCO. “With the new addition of the Nissan one-tonne pick-up AX, our LCV range is a complete solution, thanks to the versatility of this unbreakable Nissan. The AX D22 brings a welcome dash of style and luxury to the sector, for the area manager or foreman who needs something tough, reliable and strong but also a car which cuts a fine figure at a gathering of high society”, Singh assured.
The AX D22 one-tonne pick-up, Alliance Autos hopes, would elevate the perception of the Nissan brand in the market to new levels, insisting that the vehicle is ideally equipped and prepared to meet the requirements of the Nigerian market. “We know many of our customers have been eagerly anticipating the launch of this range of topping model, and we are certain that the sound investment proposition it represents will attract many m more to the Nissan brand we represent as Alliance Autos”, a confident Singh said. The AX D22 pick-up sells for N4 million.
Nissan AX D22: Tough, reliable and strong
Singh: Confident of the quality of Nissan brand |
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