Time obviously has flown by since Chief Innoson Ifediaso Chukwuma founded Innoson Motors a little over a decade ago. Over the years, the automobile that spearheads car manufacturing in Nigeria has grown strength in strength.
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As Africa’s automobile giant celebrates its 13th year in the business, we take a stroll back memory lane to take a glimpse of how far Innoson Motors has come, its remarkable successes, and how much farther the automobile brand has to go.
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Early Days of Innoson Motors
The idea to run an automobile business started building up in the mind of Chief Innocent Chukwuma as early as 1978, while he worked in his brother’s pharmacy store (chemist) after he had completed his Secondary Education.
That same year, he acted upon his newfound career interest and started working as an apprentice with a notable dealer of Motorcycle spare parts in Nnewi, Anambra State–Chief Romanus Eze Onwuka. The goal was to learn the ins and outs of running a successful spare part business.
However, his apprenticeship lasted only six months, and at the end of which, he returned to his elder brother, Chief Gabriel Chukwuma who registered the company, Gabros International Limited to trade on motorcycle spare parts. Starting this new line of business, his brother supported him with the sum of N3,000. After a period of two years working under his business, trading motorcycle spare parts, Innoson successfully launched independently, with a startup capital of N20,000 from his elder brother to start his own business. As such, Innoson Nigeria Limited was born, however, the focus was still dealing with motorcycle spare parts and tires in Nkwo, Nnewi in Anambra State.
After managing his own business for over a period of two years, Innoson started dreaming of expanding towards the global market. This started with him venturing towards the Asian market to purchase spare parts. This international expansion however was a result of the economic situation in the country that was exacerbated by the then-military regime.
Innoson continued on this path, trading across Asia to purchase motorcycle spare parts. However, by 1987, he made the decision to introduce Jingcheng motorcycle parts to the Nigerian market, a Chinese spare parts company, to compete with the popularity of Japanese spare parts that had already dominated the Nigerian market.
Eight years after this introduction, Innoson launched the first-ever fully automated Motorcycle assembly plant in Nnewi, Anambra State. By 2002, the company launched Innoson Technical and Industrial Limited, Nigeria’s most prominent plastic manufacturing company. That same 2002, Innoson helped bring down the price of a brand new motorcycle in Nigeria from N150,000 to N60,000, driving away tokunbo motorcycles in Nigeria.
Innoson continued towing the motorcycle path until 2009 when the first-ever Innoson automobile emerged. The company became registered under another subsidiary called Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited, situated in Nnewi.
Innoson Motors Over the Year
Since the launch of Innoson Vehicles, the brand has manufactured a series of vehicles that range from SUVs to buses to minivans and even pickup trucks. The company has been on continuous growth since it emerged and over time, it has gained both national and international recognition as one of the fastest-growing automobile companies in Nigeria and in Africa at large.
Here’s a rundown of vehicles manufactured by Innoson Motors that are available for purchase in Nigeria today:
- Innoson Carrier (IVM Carrier 4×4) Pickup
Innoson Carrier offers two engine options depending on whether you prefer a two-wheel or a four-wheel drive. The Innoson Carrier 2WD features the same 2.4 litre, four-cylinder engine as the Innoson G5. Innoson Carrier 4WD features a 2.7 litre, four-cylinder engine. Both engines are from Mitsubishi. The pickup truck comes with a 5-speed manual transmission system.
- Innoson 5000
Whatever kind of service is required; the IVM 5000 is ever ready to serve. It is built with an economical and practical approach that reflects a large and flexible interior space. Its interior can be fitted to a cargo, ambulance, or passenger variant.
The IVM 5000 is a fuel-economical workhorse that also provides a powerful and efficient drive.
- Innoson FOX
The Innoson Fox puts every African on the wheels, its sporty style is perfectly designed to fit multiple driving environments and the whole vehicle exemplifies a sense of fun, fashion, dynamism, and subtle power. With eagle-eye headlights and wing-like bumpers, The Innoson Fox will provide you with a dynamic and sporty riding experience. More so, with its fuel-efficient technology; the power to own and drive your dream new car lies within you.
- Innoson UMU
The Innoson Umu has simply put a sedan, just like its hatchback variant, The Umu Sedan puts every African on the wheels, its corporate style is perfectly designed to fit multiple driving environments and the whole vehicle exemplifies a sense of business & power. With eagle-eye headlights, reinforced shock absorbers, and wing-like bumpers, The Innoson Umu will provide you with a smooth riding experience.
- Innoson G5
Characterized by a strong sense of power and a full show of masculinity for individuals who love to reflect strength and style. This SUV is designed with a very serene cabin, warm interiors, and a powerful yet silent engine; its rear seats can be tipped; it is flexible and comfortable to provide you with the on/off-road enjoyment you need.
- Innoson G6
The INNOSON G6 sticks true to traditional SUV designs in a world of many Crossovers SUVs. Its agile frame enables it to deliver excellently in performance and handling both off the road and around the city. Like every Innoson Vehicle, it comes loaded with exciting state-of-the-art features and advanced technologies that inspire confidence and ensure comfort on the road.
- Innoson G40
Sometimes, a little extra room can bring everyone together. The IVM G40 is for the go-getters, the adventure seekers, the individual who’s always in motion, and everyone else who finds meaning in the everyday drive.
- Innoson G80
Unlike any SUV on the street, the IVM G80 owns the road and also Gov Soludo Rides In this Armoured Innoson IVM G80 SUV As He Gets Sworn In As The Governor Of Anambra State With its superb blend of advanced technology, bold styling, and powerful performance, the self-confident appearance of the IVM G80 stands out in the crowd.
This dynamic and luxurious SUV has a superior combination of steering response, driving comfort, sophistication, and performance that is both efficient and enthusiastic.
The Future of Innoson Motors
One thing has remained constant since Chief Innocent Chukwuma began treading the auto industry as far back as the late 1970s—it’s his commitment to continuous growth, expansion, and reimagining the face of the automobile industry in Nigeria and Africa at large. This is evident with the company’s latest developments.
Early in the year, Innoson Motors officially launched Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cars and trucks in Nigeria to rival the dominance of petrol-powered vehicles in Nigeria, reducing carbon emissions, and championing eco-friendly vehicles in Nigeria and across Africa.
In a statement made by the company’s Head of Communication, Cornel Osigwe, he noted that “it’s high time CNG / LNG powered vehicles ply Nigerian roads and IVM remains committed to producing durable, environment-friendly vehicles. This reduces the cost of transportation and encourages sustainability in our environment as well as development”.
These newly launched cars are powered by CNG/ LNG and produced as a sustainable alternative to diesel. The CNG and LNG buses are part of Innoson Vehicles’ commitment to promoting environmentally friendly transportation in Nigeria. They are designed to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality while providing a comfortable and safe ride for passengers.
The commissioning of the Innoson Vehicles CNG and LNG buses represents a significant step forward in Nigeria’s efforts to promote local content and innovation in the automotive industry.
Conclusion
Since its launch in 2009, Innoson Motors has made a remarkable impact in the Nigerian and African automobile industry, placing Nigeria on the map as one of the countries striving in the global automobile business. Within the space of 13 years, Innoson Motors has manufactured a great number of vehicles that comfortably rival many foreign models and is spearheading the manufacturing and global marketing of Nigeria’s first-ever eco-friendly vehicles. Indeed, there’s no telling the new heights this auto brand will attain in the next 13 years.
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