PAN Nigeria Resumes Production of Pick-Up Vehicles After 14years - Photos

Just as an African adage, when a cow moves back, it comes forth with a full force of energy and vigor. These are best of time for PAN Nigeria Limited makers of Peugeot cars in Nigeria as the company has been out of work for past 14 years. According to the press release which was sent to the media houses, the Nigeria-affiliate of the French auto brand just launched a pickup model into its Nigerian market.

The vehicle is produced in the auto firm’s assembly plant in Kaduna, in Nigeria

The company production of pickup dates as far back in 1956 – when it began with the Peugeot 403 Camionnette-Bâchée.

The Peugeot 404 Camionnette-Bâchée of 1967, and then the Peugeot 504 pickup, which succeeded it until 2005, the last year of production at Pan Nigeria Limited, assemblers of the Peugeot brand of vehicles.

The new pickup model features a good measure of roominess and equipment, thus fulfilling the fundamental needs for robustness, endurance, and the 4×4 drivetrain.

The vehicles also feature a high body belt line, a vertical front, a horizontal bonnet and a large ground clearance (210mm to 215 mm).

The loading zone has a bed that is 1.40m long and 1.39m wide, equipped with anchoring hooks on the outside. The side walls and the rear panel are completely covered with a protective resin which adds to the rigidity and robustness of the whole vehicle. The maximum payload of the vehicle is 815kg.

The new pickup is said to have a performance drivetrain adapted to the needs of the core market, adding that its longitudinal 2.5-liter common rail turbo diesel engine develops 115bhp and 280Nm, combined with a manual five-speed gearbox. It is available in 4×4 and 4×2 versions. According to the firm, the 4×4 version is engaged using a special lever to transmit some of the power to the front drivetrain.

The 4×4 version is reported to give the new vehicle versatility, easy use in every weather condition and all terrains.

“This allows the driver to make a selection where needed, whether in normal 4×4 4H (4 High) mode or in the 4L (4 Low) mode at short speeds. Thanks to a reducer, extra torque can be applied at very slow speeds to maneuver out of the most extreme driving situations,” it states.

Other features of the vehicle are manual air-conditioning, electric windows, radio with CD player and USB port.

“For safety and ease of driving, the new Peugeot pickup is equipped as standard with an ABS braking system with brakeforce distribution, rear parking aids, passenger and driver airbags, plus electrically adjustable exterior mirrors”, PAN says.

Present at the opening of the new place are dignities, Nigeria's minister of sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung, NADDC Boss, Mr. Aliyu among others.

 

PAN Nigeria Unveils 301-Wildfire Car

Speaking at the unveiling, the Managing Director of PAN Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi said that since announcement of the 301 series, the auto firm has recovered its customers and market share which has improved from 6% in 2015 to 8% in 2016.

Boyi who pointed out that PAN wants to reconnect with the emotions and heritage of the brand added that the brand covers all age groups and that is why there is strong emotional connection.

Putting the price of the new 301 at N5.6 million, Boyi said the car is the cheapest in it class, stressing that there are a large number of Nigerians who like simple functional vehicle like 301.

Listing ground clearance, safety features, space, reliability and comfort as some of the unique advantages of Peugeot 301 Midlife, Boyi said “The new Peugeot 301 reinforces it’s qualities with new assets. The body is dressed in the latest stylistic codes of the brand. The vertical grille, body set spotlight and neat adjustments embody the sturdiness of the car. The luminous signatures, incorporating LEDs at the front are expressions of the technological content”.

Also speaking was the Yerima Zazzau, Alhaji Munir Ja’Afaru who confirmed that 301 is a fantastic vehicle, just as he appealed to Nigerians to patronize made-in-Nigeria vehicles.

Hon Nasiru Babale, representing Tarauni Federal Constituency, Kano applauded PAN, saying that the new Peugeot is a good one and that Nigerians should patronize the product. He however, noted that the House had decided to buy Peugeot for their members for their oversight functions due to the unique attributes of the brand.

General Manager, Sales and Marketing Mr Omagbitse Bawo said that the new car is loaded with sophisticated features

According to the GM, the body is dressed in the latest stylistic codes of the brand, laced with striking vertical grille, body-set spotlights even as neat adjustments embody the sturdiness of the car.

Bawo said that the luminous signatures, incorporating LEDs at the front, are the expression of the technological content. This Peugeot 301 offers considerable skill and trunk volume, dynamic behaviour and a design adapted to local requirements.

“At the front is a powerful front face with a wide vertical grille (‘Hot Chrome’ on Allure level or with ‘Chrome Pack’ in Active) surrounding the lion that epitomises the brand’s traditional logo” .

An even more feline look, with refined lights incorporating the “tooth” going up largely is found the optical block. These headlamps, with black and chromed masks and LED daytime running lights integrated into the bumper, contribute fully to the modernity and identity of the new 301.

“The horizontal hood contributes to the feeling of robustness that emerges from the car. That also results in a retracted positioning of the bumper of the new grille for better resistance to small shocks. Laterally, any curious observer would easily notice a “horizontal” hood and new rims for more dynamism”, he said.

Furthermore, the new 16 ” wheels highlight the dynamism of the car. The ‘Albury’ style steel rim offers a 16″ economical offer with a rewarding style. The Perth diamond rim brings a lot of dynamism to the profile of the car and participates in the sense of upscale.

“The new car has Triple Play compatible Mirror Screen, to duplicate the smartphone content on the touchscreen of the vehicle. USB connectivity, Bluetooth. It offers unprecedented safety and comfort for the driver and passengers in terms of ergonomics, driving position, height adjustment of the seat and steering wheel with touch screen at the fingertips and eyes, comfortable seats ensuring lateral support and comfort on all types of roads”.

It would be recalled that the present model won the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Car-Of-The-Year (COTY) Award in the country in 2016.