The Renault-Nissan Alliance has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with West African conglomerate Stallion Group to start a vehicle assembly unit in Nigeria
According to a Reuters report, the car makers have decided to set up a base in Nigeria as they expect the government to approve a new policy designed to encourage the development of the automobile industry in the country.
The first vehicle from this assembly unit to be introduced to the market would be the Nissan Patrol SUV in early 2014, company sources said.
Renault-Nissan Alliance chief executive officer Carlos Ghosn said, “Nissan is preparing to make Nigeria a significant manufacturing hub in Africa. As the first-mover in Nigeria, we are positioned for the long-term growth of this market and across the broader continent.”
Stallion Group, which is Nissan’s exclusive distributor in the country, is also expected to increase capacity to 45,000 at its existing plant in Lagos, Renault-Nissan Alliance said. It will be an assemble of cars, light-duty trucks, pickups and vans, Reuters added.
