Reducing import duty on used cars dangerous for economy – Expert

The Vice-President, Business Development, Dana Motors, Mr Olu
Tikolo, on Saturday said that the recent call for the reduction of
import duties on used cars portends danger to the 2013 Nigeria Auto
Policy.

Tikolo made the call at a media parley at his office, Akin
Adesola, Victoria Island, on the partnership between Cars45 and
Dana Motors.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Cars45 provides one of a
kind of platform for used cars in Nigeria, giving a private network
of buyers the fastest way to find the perfect car that fits their
buyers’ needs.

Tikolo, on the heels of the recent call made by some
stakeholders demanding a reduction on the tariff for imported
vehicle by 15 per cent said such reduction could derail the
existing auto policy.

In a related development, the Comptroller-General of Customs,
Hammed Ali, had also called for the same reduction by 35 per cent
with an aim at curbing smuggling of vehicles into the country.

However, on the contrary, Tikolo an expert in the automobile
industry thinks differently on the idea, saying it is anathema to
the desired economic prosperity of the country.

“We must understand the prospect of the 2013 Auto Policy by the
previous government which is aimed at encouraging local
manufacturing of cars in Nigeria.

“The call for the reduction in the tariff for the importation of
used cars portends great danger to the economy and also for
investors’ confidence in our economy.

“Only the manufacturing sector can contribute effectively to the
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country which cars assembly and
manufacturing can contribute up to 7 per cent.

“In other advanced countries, car manufacturing contributes up
to 12 per cent of their economy, examples are South Africa and
Brazil,’’ he said.

(NAN)