Enhancing the Security System of Your Car

Remote keyless entry system performs a number of functions like locking or unlocking the car door, arming or disarming the car alarm from a significant distance. This system has enhanced the security and made the car owning experience more wonderful.

Many online dealers provide remote keyless entry system and are the best options to get it, at reasonable prices.

Have you ever imagined of operating your car without a conventional key? If no, then there is good news for you. There is a high tech car key that can perform all the necessary functions of your car without physically operating it.

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Nigeria’s New Number Plates and The Challenges Ahead

In the last four months since the Federal Government, through the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC announced the suspension of issuance of the old number plate to motorists, thousands of Lagosians who just purchased new vehicles have had a harrowing experience getting the new number plates.

They drove their vehicles on the streets of Lagos without number plates, at the risk of being apprehended by security officials.

The FRSC had announced that all number plates being used now should be replaced with new ones before the August 2012 expiry date. But the commission, having stopped the issuance of the old number plates did not have the new ones in stock, thus posing serious security challenges.

Many motorists have combed the nooks and crannies of Lagos and FRSC offices looking for the new number plate, but to no avail. Many vehicle owners have had to park their vehicles in garages and the front of their homes, fearful of arrest by law enforcement agents for driving around in unregistered vehicles.

A few daring ones had dared to drive their newly-acquired vehicles on the roads without number plates or other forms of vehicle identification, including vehicle licenses, with grave implications for security and public safety.

Lagos Sector Commander, FRSC, Jonas Agwu had warned motorists against driving without a number plate, saying such vehicles would be apprehended, arrested and prosecuted or fined according to the law of the land, because it posed security threats.

For Tosin Adeyemi, a lawyer, it could not have been more frustrating trying to get the new plate number. Several efforts he made to acquire the new license even at a high cost have not yielded any result.

According to him, only a few licenses were available at a particular period each time he visited the Ojodu Lagos office of the FRSC. He argued that the issuance of vehicle license would have been easier if states that already have licensing offices spread all over were allowed to handle it, but the FRSC hijacked the process because of its desperation to shore up its revenue to the detriment of Nigerians.

As for Saidi Olaogun who runs a barbing salon. He has been denied the fun of cruising around in his newly acquired Toyota Camry because of the scarcity of the new number plates, which has made it impossible for him to drive his car. The car, which he bought since September, remains parked in his compound.

Olaogun said that he had to park the vehicle at home to avoid harassment and extortion by officials of FRSC, police and other law enforcement agencies if he had to drive it without a number plate or a valid driving license.

To tackle the challenges posed by the new number plate, the Lagos State government, through the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency, MVAA rolled out a large quantity of the number plates on 16 November, 2011 to end the scarcity of the commodity in the state.

With the new number plates rolled out in Lagos, new and newly imported cars and other vehicles are wearing new looks on Lagos roads. With the new uniform number plates gleaming beneath their bonnets and at the rear, the vehicles and their owners now wear a smile.

Prior to the take-off, the MVAA had put in place a seamless, user-friendly number plates issuance mechanism for a smooth take-off. The number plates are being issued in Lagos State according to rates approved by the Joint Tax Board. Owners of new vehicles will have to pay N15,000 to get the new number plate while owners of old vehicles will pay N10, 000 to replace the old one.

Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa had said that the number plates would be issued to fresh applicants only within the next four weeks while renewal and replacement of old number plates would commence thereafter.

The situation has been particularly acute and severe in Lagos, Nigeria’s sole mega city and her commercial hub. In recent times, thousands of unregistered new and imported used but unregistered vehicles are visible on Lagos roads with serious security and safety implications for the citizenry.

He said the staggered exercise was to enable the MVAA clear the huge backlog of applications arising from the non-availability of number plates nationwide, adding that driving an unregistered vehicle is a contravention of the law.

According to Opeifa, the state-owned Number Plates Production Agency, NPPA had produced sufficient stock of the new plates to satisfy the needs of fresh applicants in Lagos State and had put in place a production schedule to meet the needs of prospective renewal applicants to enable them meet the deadline of 31 August, 2012.

The issuance of the new number plates by the state government will be the first on a large-scale by any state government or Federal Government agency since the NPPA ceased production of the old plates in September.

Opeifa explained that the process for registration of new/imported vehicles begins with the applicant accessing the website of Courteville Group (operators of the Autoreg platform) at www.courtevillegroup.com and downloading the Form MVA01.

After printing out the form, a reference number is generated for the applicant, who will then proceed to the licensing office for the conclusion of the registration and issuance process. Alternatively, the Form MVA01 can be physically obtained from the licensing office, filled and submitted.

According to the commissioner, the MVAA has created special desks at all the licensing offices to deal with renewal applications which would commence in the next four weeks in order to boost processing capacity and ensure that fresh registrations are processed speedily.

Over the years, the MVAA has continued to work assiduously and creatively to achieve global standards in vehicle and driver safety and security. The hallmark of its success has been the rapid automation of its systems and processes which has resulted in more efficient public-interface, greater public confidence in the integrity of the vehicle registration process and issued licences/documents, increased level of compliance with extant laws and regulations due to improved turn-around time in service delivery as well as the generation and storage of data which have become invaluable for security and planning purposes.

The MVAA inherited a system of manual registration and capturing of data on vehicles and drivers which posed serious challenges to the Agency’s founding objectives as well as the realization of the State Government’s vision of achieving rapid transformation of the transportation sector.

The dawn of automation of vehicle administration in Lagos State came with the formation of a ground-breaking partnership between MVAA and Courteville Investments Limited – in consonance with the State Government’s policy thrust which emphasizes public/private sector partnership as a veritable platform for economic growth and development.

The partnership resulted in the creation of AUTO-REG, Nigeria’s first fully-automated, IT-driven vehicle registration and documentation platform. With this innovation, the MVAA quickly eliminated the deleterious socio-economic effects of manual vehicle registration.

It is its partnership with Courteville Investments Limited that resulted in the rolling out of the new number plate, now in circulation across the state.

-PM News

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Of Nigeria’s Automobile Manufacturing Subsector

At our last count, no fewer than 30 brands of automobile are today represented by franchised dealerships in Nigeria. And they are all jostling for patronage in Africa’s supposedly biggest market. The market which has also become proactive perhaps because of its peculiar nature is viewed by global automakers as the fortress of automobile market South- west of the Sahara.

Promising Nigerian Auto Manufacturing Sector

Although getting precise data of new vehicle imports to the country could sometimes be miserable, dealerships and their principals may have overcome this stunning challenge.

The Nigerian automobile market, according to them, has potentials to grow exponentially and even double its size in less than ten years time.

Unfounded statistics puts the combined new vehicle imports to Nigeria last year at about 70,000 units from a staggering 10, 000 some eight years ago.

This figure does not however include Tokunbo imports i.e. fairly used vehicles as well as ‘grey imports’ (unauthorized marques) that are occasionally ferried into the country by night through porous borders.

Even so, more brands are seeking to register their mark in Nigeria to have a bite of the juicy market that grows at an unimaginable height.

One of the latest entrants is Indian owned TATA Motors that  though marketed by an Indian dealer, Bhojwani Brothers, but now controlled by the owners of the brand.

Like other representatives, TATA seeks to have a bite on both the commercial/truck vehicle segment and of course the passenger car segment. For now TATA is desperately seeking to appoint local dealerships to help distribute its products all over Nigeria. One of the criteria for dealership, according to the company, is that the applicant must have a reputable workshop to handle the brand.

Nothing seems able yet to tame the growth potentials of the market that from all indications appear to be attracting more stakeholders.

Until recently, Peugeot had towered above rival brands, importing an appreciable 200, 000 units while Nissan/Datsun followed closely with about 110, 000 imports and Toyota 56, 000 units.

But the entrance of new players, especially Chinese imports, has given the market a new twist. Some of the Chinese brands represented in this market include Lifan, Chery, Jinbei, Quingoi, Geely, Foton, BYD, LandMark, GrandTiger, JAC and Chana range of automobiles among others.

The list of other major brands are similarly endless. They include Ford, Rover, GM, Chevrolet, Isuzu, Daimler Chrysler, Mercedes Benz, Volvo, BMW, Volkswagen, Chevrolet, Peugeot, Mazda, Honda, Renault, Dacia and Hyundai. Others are Kia, Skoda, Audi, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota, Suzuki, Porsche, Tata, Maruti and Mahindra. In the truck segment, Iveco, Fiat, International, Leyland, Mercedes Benz, Kamaz, and DAF hold sway.

Importers of motorcycles like their automobile counterparts are similarly finding solace in the local market and are exploring all opportunities to usurp the market shares of one time Nigeria’s foremost motorcycle assembly plant, Honda Manufacturing Nigeria.  Currently numbering over 30 variants, unfounded statistics put the number of motorcycles’ import to Nigeria at almost 600,000 units annually.

The size and demographic structure of the country’s population put at more than 120 million people as well as the inability of local vehicle plants to meet increasing demand and the unavailability of modified mass transit system are touted for the growing presence of various automobile marques in this market.

Yan Jiang, executive president, Geely International, captured the growth potential better when he noted at a forum in Lagos that the Nigerian market is so significant to Geely International and would not hesitate to site a plant in the country.

Hyra Motors Limited, representatives of Geely in Nigeria has since it was appointed Geely dealership in Nigeria made striking effort to popularize the brand.

Similarly, David Bakare, chief executive, Chery Motors Limited, marketers of Chinese engineered Chery vehicles is confident that the brand would succeed in Nigeria. He said the quality of Chinese engineered vehicles compare with rival brands from Japan.

Iftikhar Qamar, general manager, sales and marketing, National Trucks’ Manufacturers, Kano, local assemblers and marketers of Oingqi light commercial trucks, GreatWall brand of pickups and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) also said the company’s products are strong, reliable and durable and can stand the test of time.

Peugeot Automobile Nigeria is though the only surviving local passenger car plant, the federal government has divested its stakes in the company. It is now managed by independent investors who are determined to raise the bar for the brand.

Meanwhile, Toyota Nigeria Limited, brand custodian of Toyota has continued to chart the way in the country’s automobile market, leading the pack with yet insurmountable sales record. The company currently imports 70 percent of the combined new vehicle imports to Nigeria. Although the company has no clear cut marketing strategy, its renowned global identity has continued to pave the way for Toyota in the local market. It has continued to strengthen its dealership network that are mostly situated in and around Lagos, south west Nigeria.

The Stallion Group are however multiple franchise dealerships with interest in Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda, Porsche, Hyundai, Honda and Mahindra vehicles. The company championed car financing schemes and other marketing bonanzas that it uses to woo buyers. Stallion currently remains the only single marketer with the largest numbers of automobile franchise in Nigeria.

The endorsement of Alliance Autos Limited dealership two years ago to market Nissan in Nigeria has also helped to transform the future of the brand.

Dana Motors Limited, marketers of Kia, has similarly been proactive in its exceptional marketing strategies that essentially seek to woo upwardly mobile executives to buy Kia vehicles. Dana has also effectively combined effective marketing mix to position Kia brand in Nigeria.

CFAO, the French conglomerate has also been springing surprises lately with the acquisition of additional franchises. Until recently it was only visible as Peugeot marketer but today, it markets and distributes Chevrolet, Mitsubishi, Iveco, GM and Renault range of vehicles. GM Nigeria, currently the oldest vehicle plant in Nigeria, has managed to keep its plant afloat in spite of all odds. Its Isuzu Pickups are widely used by law enforcement agents and banks.

Kewalram Motors, the automobile subsidiary of the Chanrai Group is the country’s franchise holder for Mitsubishi vehicles.

The company may be discreet in its marketing strategies; it is obvious that the company controls a significant share of the light truck and passenger car segments.

The return of BriscoeFord and its subsequent acquisition of the Ford franchise has added value to the fifty-year old company, which after relinquishing its stake in Toyota Nigeria almost went under. The company however still markets Toyota vehicles though with key interest in after sales.

Coscharis Motors, though markets Ford, it combines the responsibility with the BMW and Rover franchises which it has reluctantly hyped.

Being one of the most visible trucks on Nigerian roads Van Vliet Nigeria Limited, marketers of DAF, Dutch engineered brand of trucks had until recently held sway in the truck segment but encumbered by challenges.

The American engineered International, makers of International trucks is similarly making inroads to Nigerian truck market. Marketed by GZ Motors Limited, who is also distributors of Kamaz trucks has been making efforts to get more people in the haulage business to embrace International trucks.

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Teenage Drivers; ...and so what?!

There are some things that a teenager looks forward to in their life and getting their license and a car is one of the top contenders. Teens can't wait for the freedom of being able to take themselves places and it is the first major step to them being more independent. Unfortunately, their road dreams are their parent's worst nightmare. It has been proven that teenagers are not the best drivers and laws continuously try to regulate the amount of time that teens can spend on the roads. This article will look at why teenage driving is such a major issue and discuss some of the ways our country is trying to correct the problem. If you have a teenager thinking about driving, you might need to know this information.

For teenage drivers, the statistics do not lie. When compared to any other age group they have the worst driving record. Every year teenagers are involved in more crashes compared to other age groups and these accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers. That statistic alone proves how dangerous it is for children on the roads. The National Safety Council estimates that by enforcing the GDL laws more than 2,000 lives will be save annually and there would be a financial savings in the billions of dollars.

What are the GDL laws? These laws were introduced in the early 2000s. The aim was to make the period of a teenager getting their license a more gradual experience. Instead of a teenager being set free on the roads at the age of 16 there is now a waiting time. The learning permit still exists for teenagers but instead of being 15 they now have to be 16. After they turn 16 they enter a learner stage. During this stage the driver still has to be supervised even though they have a license. After this stage the driver then enters the intermediate phase. During this phase teenagers are no longer required to have supervision, but there are still restrictions to when they are allowed to drive and with whom. The final stage is the next step. During this the teenager will have an unrestricted license and be able to drive with the same laws as all other drivers.

Many wonder if this even helps. Laws already raised the drinking age and put a curfew on when teenagers could be on the roadways, so is the extra measure really needed? Research has proven that it does help. Of course it does not cure the problem but there are undeniable reductions. Accidents saw a decrease of 34% when an injury was involved, and fatal accidents saw a 19% reduction. That may not seem like a big number but that is almost 400 lives that are saved every year from a fatal crash.

Though they seem like they are hindering the young driver, these laws are actually trying to save their lives. It is something that has been hard for teens to adjust to as many thought they would be 16 and hitting the roads. However as future generations hit the driving age these new laws will seem more like a stepping stone because they will not know that at one point people got their license at a younger age.

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DRIVING -When best to be behind the wheels?

Our world is built on the idea of mobility. The ability to get from one place to another quickly and efficiently has completely revolutionized the way that we do things. Everything has been affected, from the way we complete our education, to the location of our employment, our excursions in travel, and how we get our food for the week. Most of us receive the licensure we need to be able to drive at about age 16, and then get hooked for the rest of our lives, driving around the world for the next 50 years. But when, really, is the best time to drive?
So many people are out there now, driving up and down the roads, getting to their destinations as quickly as possible. Traffic is terrible in many places of the country, and the environment as well is being affected by all the emissions and things that it encounters from all of the vehicles on the road. Is there any way to make a difference with the way that you drive? Absolutely. Let's take a look at some of the best times to drive.
Go ahead and get your license at age 16 - it's a liberating thing, and can help a young person a lot in their journey to gaining responsibility and becoming a productive adult. However, age 16 till about 30 is also the best time to become physically active. While it may not be possible in every city in America, there are many places where riding a bike or taking advantage of public transportation is available. If you can, see what you can do with walking, biking, or taking the bus, before you decide to drive by yourself to school or work every day.
Then, as you get older, go ahead and make adjustments-opting for as little driving as you can get away with. For those moms with a handful of children that seem to always have something they need to get to, a little driving can be extremely helpful. From school to soccer games to the local grocery store, these people really can use a good car. The trick is to plan your week so that you use it as little as possible.
As you become older, it may be necessary to drive to your place of employment. But, instead of just driving there all by yourself five days of the week, why not ask around at the workplace to see who else might be interested in saving a little gas money by carpooling. This can be an excellent way to conserve your driving time, as well as the effect you have on the environment.
Older people, as they begin to lose the sharpness of their senses, may be discouraged from driving, and thus find themselves at home more often. This is nothing to be ashamed of, and the ecological footprint of this generation may make up for that of the younger generations.
Stop to think which time in your life will really be the best time to drive. In all other circumstances, see what you can do to save money, gasoline, and the environment by opting for another way to get around.

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Silly Car Traditions

By Paul Townsen

When you stop to think about it, most of the silly traditions people follow involve things that they do only because they have done it for as long as they can remember, and the generations of people before them did the same. Sometimes, the meaning of the tradition even becomes forgotten in the following of traditions, and, not so unlike lemmings, people just follow along, teaching their children to do what they have always done. Some of these traditions, involving automobiles, are just as silly as anything else.

For example, whose idea was it to trash the car of a newly wedded couple? While they are peacefully inside a church or reception hall, greeting all of their well-wishers, and rejoicing in their brand new start, some group of mischievous people are more likely than not working on their car outside. Armed with all kinds of weapons, these people go all out, decorating, dying, and sometimes defacing the car of those two love birds waiting inside until it is their time to fly out on their honeymoon.
Pretty soon, the party is over, and the bride and groom are shown out to their car. To their all too often un-surprise, they quickly find that getting into that car will take a balancing act. A quick survey of the car shows that their friends and family left no spot uncovered, and window paint, shaving cream, confetti, balloons, Oreos, and even those old vegetable cans are put in their traditional places, and everyone from here to Niagra Falls will know that this young couple has just tied the knot.
Who out there wants to clean off their car the second they leave the wedding reception? Possibly everyone, but the truth is, there are other important things, like vacationing on a honeymoon and looking longingly into the dear eyes of a newly acquired spouse than rushing to the nearest gas station and scrubbing what you can off of the car with the windshield cleaning fluid.
Where did such a silly tradition come from, and why do people continue to do so today? While there may be some circumstances when such a decorating can be playful and welcoming, but there are certainly some who simply go over the top, creating one heck of a mess for whoever was unlucky enough to get married that day.
To those planning on getting married: stop and think about what you would like to deal with, concerning the tradition of decorating your wedding getaway car. If you do not think you'll be up for that late-night cleaning as so often happens, think ahead of time where you might stash the car, and with whom you might entrust the key, so as to avoid that ridiculous situation on the happiest day of your life. Don't worry, you'll likely end up with something written on or placed in your car no matter what you do, but by protecting it to some level, you might have considerably less to deal with.
It's your choice. And maybe the idea of silly traditions isn't so bad when it's not your car you are decorating.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Townsen

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