Nigeria’s leading vehicle manufacturer, ANAMMCO Motors and Parts Limited, has taken centre stage at the 37th Enugu International Trade Fair, unveiling its range of HOWO trucks and locally assembled Matador pickups.
Speaking to journalists at the company’s pavilion, Head of Operations, Benneth Ejindu, highlighted ANAMMCO’s strategic partnership with Sinotruk, aimed at expanding the availability of HOWO trucks across its nationwide sales and service network.
“The HOWO brand of commercial vehicles needs no elaborate introduction due to its consistent dominance of the Nigerian truck market. The HOWO trucks have a wide range of models like tractor heads, dumpers, cargo trucks, concrete mixer trucks, firefighting trucks, sanitation trucks, and water tankers,” Ejindu said.
He also commended the Enugu State government for improving the business environment, noting increased participation at the fair.
“We are proudly consistent in our participation at the Enugu International Trade Fair. It is very obvious that the orientation of the present administration has improved businesses and attracted lots of investment to Enugu State.
“And look at all the participants—you can see that things have improved. The way they organised this edition is superb. I’m very glad that a lot of businesses based in Lagos are also participating in this particular fair,” he added.
Ejindu further recounted Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s intervention in reviving idle assets at the company, particularly the Coal City Shuttle buses.
“His Excellency… saw the level of low activity, he was concerned and inquired how he might help… he started with reviving the grounded buses… about 50 units… and today we can see that the buses are plying the road, which is a very great thing,” he said.
On industry challenges, he pointed to policy constraints affecting local manufacturers.
“The secret is the experience of the investors… the policy of the government towards industry has not been conducive… the government has removed any form of protection of the local industry and opened up the place for competition.
“In this place, it hasn’t been easy and the investors… are the ones who have kept the company surviving,” Ejindu stated.
Also speaking, Assistant General Manager, Chinelo Igwe, described ANAMMCO as a comprehensive hub for commercial vehicle solutions.
“ANAMMCO Motors is a one-stop shop for commercial vehicle products and support services. Our wide range of products and services attest to this,” she said.
“Our unparalleled installed vehicle production capacity and track record of excellence power our offers such as commercial vehicle production and sales, vehicle leasing, workshop and field services, training and consultancy, commercial vehicle body building and third-party vehicle assembly contracts.”
Igwe also spotlighted the company’s Matador 4×4 pickup on display at the fair.
“The ANAMMCO 4×4 Matador pickup is also on display… with features including a sturdy build, optimum performance powered by a 2.4-litre Mitsubishi engine, superb fuel efficiency, spacious double cabin, Android multimedia screen, and customised boot cover,” she said.
She identified low government patronage as a key challenge but commended Enugu State for its continued support.
“Enugu State… has been very helpful… and can further utilise that advantage by relying on ANAMMCO for the supply of the state’s commercial needs,” she added.
Earlier, the Enugu State Commissioner for Trade and Industry, Sam Ogbu Nwobodo, praised the company’s resilience and revival.
“I applaud the revival that has happened… ANAMMCO as a time-tested brand remains dependable and reliable. Its products are still in the market,” he said.
“We have been partnering a lot on refurbishments of buses. We bought a few of these trucks and we plan to buy more… We are proud of ANAMMCO’s capacity, track record and resilience. We will continue to support ANAMMCO,” Nwobodo added.
