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Ford and Google to Accelerate Auto Innovation, Reinvent Connected Vehicle Experience

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Ford and Google today announced a unique strategic partnership to accelerate Ford’s transformation and reinvent the connected vehicle experience. Ford has also named Google Cloud its preferred cloud provider to leverage Google’s world-class expertise in data, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML).As part of this new, six-year partnership—and beginning in 2023—millions of future Ford and Lincoln vehicles at all price points will be powered by Android, with Google apps and services built-in. To drive ongoing innovation, Ford and Google are establishing a new collaborative group, Team Upshift. Leveraging the talent and assets of both companies, Team Upshift will push the boundaries of Ford’s transformation, unlock personalized consumer experiences, and drive disruptive, data-driven opportunities.This may include projects ranging from developing new retail experiences when buying a vehicle, creating new ownership offers based on data, and more. “As Ford continues the most profound transformation in our history with electrification, connectivity and self-driving, Google and Ford coming together establishes an innovation powerhouse truly able to deliver a superior experience for our customers and modernize our business,” said Jim Farley, President and CEO of Ford. “From the first moving assembly line to the latest driver-assist technology, Ford has set the pace of innovation for the automotive industry for nearly 120 years,” said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet. “We’re proud to partner to apply the best of Google’s AI, data analytics, compute and cloud platforms to help transform Ford’s business and build automotive technologies that keep people safe and connected on the road.” As its preferred cloud provider and starting later this year, Google will help Ford leverage Google Cloud’s AI, ML and data analytics technologies to accelerate the automaker’s digital transformation, modernize operations, and power connected vehicle technologies with Google’s trusted, secure, and reliable cloud. With Google Cloud, Ford plans to: Further improve customer experiences for customers with differentiated technology and personalized services; Accelerate modernization of product development, manufacturing and supply chain management, including exploration of using vision AI for manufacturing employee training and even more reliable plant equipment performance; Fast track the implementation of data-driven business models resulting in customers receiving real-time notices such as maintenance requests or trade-in alerts. Ford and Google have a shared vision to bring enjoyable, safer and more efficient connected vehicle experiences built to minimize driver distraction and keep customers at the forefront of technology with over-the-air updates. Beginning in 2023, Ford and Lincoln customers globally will start to benefit from unique digital experiences built on top of the Android operating system and with Google apps and services built-in, which include world-class map and voice technology: With Google Assistant, drivers can keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, by getting things done with just their voice. With Google Maps as the vehicles’ primary navigation, drivers can reach their destination faster with information on real-time traffic, automatic rerouting, lane guidance and more. With Google Play, drivers will have access to their favorite apps for listening to music, podcasts, audiobooks and more. These apps are optimized and integrated for in-vehicle use. Android in the car also enables Ford and third-party developers to build apps that provide a constantly improving and ever-more-personalized ownership experience. “We are obsessed with creating must-have, distinctively Ford products and services,” said Farley. “This integration will unleash our teams to innovate for Ford and Lincoln customers while seamlessly providing access to Google’s world-class apps and services.”

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Green IT

Schneider Electric Seeks Adoption of Electric Vehicles In Nigeria as a Solution to Fuel Challenges

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As the demand for sustainable transportation solutions rises, Schneider Electric has emphasized the need for adoption of electric vehicles (EV) solutions to alleviate future fuel challenges.

The country president, Schneider Electric, Ajibola Akindele disclosed this while showcasing the global energy management and automation giant’s cutting-edge range of Electrical Vehicle (EV) chargers at the West African Automotive Show, Landmark, Lagos, Nigeria.

Stating that there is growing interest for electric vehicles, Akindele, highlighted Schneider Electric’s commitment towards providing a reliable and sustainable solution for Nigeria’s transportation sector, “Fuel scarcity remains a significant concern in Nigeria and the cost is now an added challenge.

“Schneider Electric recognizes electric vehicles as a sustainable and efficient solution to address these issues, now and in the future. By shifting towards electric vehicles, Nigeria can reduce its dependency on fossil fuels and decrease carbon emissions. Schneider Electric is committed to supporting this transition by providing reliable and scalable EV charging solutions.”

Speaking on the exhibition success and visitor’s reactions, marketing communications manager, Omobolanle Omotayo, said “The exhibition witnessed enlightening engagements with electric vehicle enthusiasts and industry professionals, which provided valuable insights on the growing EV market in West Africa and the need for a robust charging infrastructure to support the transition to electric vehicles effectively.”

Schneider Electric commended the efforts of the Lagos State Government in promoting the importation of automotive electrical vehicles(buses) into Nigeria. This forward-thinking initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to cleaner mobility and paves the way for a greener transportation ecosystem.

The EV charger product manager, Grace Olorunsola highlighted Schneider Electric’s diverse portfolio of EV charging solutions, “EV Charging solutions caters to the needs of both residential (EVlink Home) and commercial requirements (EVlink Pro AC). The charging solutions offer convenience and flexibility of use, ensuring electric vehicle owners can charge their vehicles efficiently without hassle.

“By implementing Schneider Electric’s EV charging solutions, Nigeria can seamlessly transition to electric vehicles and provide a sustainable and reliable transportation system for its citizens,” she added.  

Schneider Electric drives digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, endpoint to cloud connecting products, controls, software, and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centres, infrastructure, and industries.

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Motoring Technology

Trucks Transit Parks Ltd Dismisses Rumour of Court Removal of its MD

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The Management of Trucks Transit Parks Limited (TTP) had shed light on the news making the rounds in various news platforms in respect of an interim order granted by the Federal High Court, on 11th August 2022 in a matter against the co-founder of TTP (Mr. Jama Onwubuariri) in respect of the role of Managing Director of TTP. 

Clarifying the situation of things for its stakeholders and the general public, TTP stated “Our findings reveal that an interim injunction was indeed granted against Mr. Jama Onwubuariri by a judge of the Federal High Court on 11th August 2022.

But lawyers to Mr. Onwubuariri have filed an application before the court for stay of execution and discharge of the said order on the basis that certain facts were not disclosed to the court in the application for injunction such as the existence of the status quo earlier granted by another judge of the Federal High Court in respect of the same facts and the violation of same by the sponsors of the suit was not disclosed in their plaintiff’s application”.

The matter came up for hearing of the application to discharge the court order on Thursday 18th August 2022, but the plaintiff’s counsel informed the court that its processes were yet to be filed, because their deponent, Mr. Temidayo Adeboye, was not available to depose to the affidavit. Honouring the plaintiff’s counsel’s request, the court adjourned the matter to Tuesday 23rd August 2022 for a hearing of the application for stay of execution and discharge of the interim order.

TTP wishes to state categorically state that the injunction did not declare or appoint Mr. Temidayo Adeboye or anyone else as the Acting Managing Director of TTP. Therefore, all stakeholders and the general public are advised to disregard anyone parading him or herself as the Acting Managing Director of TTP and anyone who transacts with such person does so at his or her own risk.

Trucks Transit Parks would therefore like all stakeholders to disregard the news with the headline “Court Stops Ex-MD from Representing Trucks Transit Parks” and other related headlines. No change in the management of the company has taken effect and whatever changes do occur will be duly communicated. 

The management of TTP reiterates its commitment to stakeholders and the general public business operations continue uninterrupted. 

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Motoring Technology

Why Jiji Rebranded Cars45’s Name to Jiji Cars

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Jiji, Nigeria’s biggest online Marketplace, which acquired Cars45, the online car auction service, has announced that it is changing the Cars45 brand name to Jiji Cars.

Recall that Cars45 was recently acquired by Jiji, as Jiji has grown to become a credible platform for car sales. The acquisition was made in a bid to consolidate and strengthen Jiji’s positioning in the car dealership market. The move came from the fact that car sales and enquiries are among the top five reasons people visit the Jiji site. Apart from real estate, the search for affordable cars constitutes a primary reason people visit the platform. 

Speaking on the name change, Jiji Cars COO Maxim Makarchuk said, “ Since launching in 2014, Jiji has connected buyers to sellers in Nigeria and has helped facilitate the exchange of goods and services with ease and convenience. In eight years, Jiji has grown into a team of over 1000 people with 12+ million unique monthly visits, 4+ million active ads with a combined value worth $10 billion. Combining Jiji’s leading position with the Cars45 model brings to the market a new incredible story called Jiji Cars.
Our mission is to make the process of buying & selling cars fast, easy and secure through the digitalisation of automotive trading. As a result, every car seller can get the best price and immediate payment for his car on the same day he decided to sell it through a hassle-free and trusted selling process with Jiji Cars. On the other hand, every car buyer can use an inspection report based on 200+ factors to get a verified car to meet his expectations.”

What Jiji Cars Offers Sellers

Jiji Cars offers sellers prompt car sales services by giving good exposure to thousands of dealers who are willing to buy the cars on the same day. Also, sellers are assured of immediate payment following successful transactions. Compared to traditional methods of selling cars, Jiji Cars has a verified process for selling vehicles through online auctions to thousands of dealers. There is also the Jiji Cars Marketplace, where cars not sold during the auctions are posted for visibility to millions of buyers and an opportunity to sell faster, at  sellers preferred prices.

Benefits for Buyers

For buyers, Jiji Cars offers a safe and trusted platform to buy verified cars. They make the transaction process easy by giving buyers access to thousands of verified cars. There is also the consumer financing option which enables buyers to purchase cars on a loan, with low interest rates and tenure up to 36 months. With this option, anyone can be a car owner.

Speaking on this new development, the CEO of Jiji, Anton Volianski, affirmed that the company is happy with Jiji Cars and looks forward to more outstanding achievements in the future. 

“We have observed that people come on the platform looking to buy cars. They seek to avoid the high transactional costs from traditional car dealers and want fast and efficient transactions. Most times, they also want to meet one-on-one with the car sellers. With Jiji Cars, we handle car sales faster and more efficiently. We also deliver value for our buyers and sellers through our digitised processes, while working to become the recognized market leader,”  Volianski said.

Speaking on the reasons to conduct transactions with Jiji cars, Director of Africa Operations Jiji, Yuliy Shenfeld said “Jiji Cars provides value and efficiency to customers. Sellers can sell their cars faster and get paid immediately, same day leveraging millions of buyers on the Jiji platform. Our processes are digitised to make buying and selling of cars fast, safe and easy for our customers. Buyers have access to thousands of verified cars on the platform, which have undergone inspection by 200+ parameters to confirm their true state. We also have inbuilt processes to protect buyers interests while ensuring that the sellers get commensurate value for their merchandise immediately. At Jiji Cars, there’s room for fair and easy negotiation between buyers and sellers. The platform is a one-stop-shop for all car sales and purchase services,”

This is exciting news for the online public and car enthusiasts as there is much confidence that Jiji Cars will improve and enhance the quality of car dealerships in Nigeria. 

Jiji’s impeccable record in delivering efficient customer service has made the company a leader in the African e-commerce space. In time, we are sure that this equity will transfer to the new acquisition – Jiji Cars, which will become known as the Number one marketplace for buying and selling verified cars in Nigeria and Africa.

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