Japanese automotive giant Honda Motor has initiated the output of its Accord sedan in the African nation Nigeria, the country on which the company is betting big for the expansion of automobile market in future.
Honda's Nigerian unit Honda Automobile Western Africa has set up a new plant in the country, putting in place automobile production equipment on the premises of already existing Honda motorcycle plant.
The manufacturing unit, the company's maiden automobile facility in Africa, is armed with a production capacity of 1,000 units a year.
Honda Motor senior managing officer and director Yoshi Yamane said: "Establishment of the first Honda automobile production plant in Africa is an epoch-making challenge for us.
"This production operation incorporates know-how Honda has amassed through its long history of motorcycle business in this market, and we could re-discover the strengths of Honda at the spot of manufacturing operations. I expect that this initiative will lead to a great leap in our automobile business in Nigeria and become a first step toward expansion to the entire African market."
After having begun its motorcycle production and sales in Nigeria in 1980, it was in 2013 that Honda floated a business subsidiary for import and sales of Honda automobiles.
Projecting Africa as new growth market, the automobile major set up its South African and Kenyan subsidiaries in 2000 and 2013, respectively.
Honda Motor (Africa and the Middle East) operating officer and head of regional unit Yusuke Hori: "It is a great pleasure to see the start-up of Honda's first automobile production plant in Africa. Our production volume is still small; however, we will strive to deliver the joy of mobility to as many customers as possible and expand our business in Africa in the future."
