Lagos: SAGLEV Electromobility Co. Nig. Ltd. and Dongfeng Motor Corporation Ltd. have unveiled a flagship, luxury, ultra-modern, and off-road electric Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) to support the Federal Government’s green environment initiative.
The SUV M-Hero 917, a full-size offloading luxury SUV built for extreme performance and control, was unveiled on Thursday in Lagos.
Speaking at the unveiling, Dr Olugbenga Faleye, the Chief Executive Officer/Chairman of SAGLEV Electromobility, noted that Electric Vehicles (EVs) have a comparative advantage over other vehicles, thus underscoring the need to assemble one in Nigeria.
EV is the future, and it is here. There is no trial; it is in our DNA, and we are here to stay.
“SAGLEV is the first and only assembly plant in Sub-Saharan Africa that exclusively manufactures electric vehicles, and we are happy to have partnered with Dongfeng to actualise this.
“Dongfeng is the second largest automotive manufacturer in Asia, and all our vehicles are Dongfeng vehicles.
“We think that the electric vehicle story is a story where Nigeria deserves to play a role. We don’t need to be importing cars.
“We can assemble vehicles here 100 per cent, and that is what SAGLEV is here to show, that it can be done in Nigeria,” he said.
He said the company also assembles Bus Rapid Transit buses, as well as e-hailing and corporate fleet vehicles.
He noted that assembling locally was very critical for economic growth and development because it creates jobs.
Faleye added that the Federal Government’s zero import duties would boost the adoption of locally assembled vehicles.
“SAGLEV currently has an assembly capacity of 2,500 cars per annum. We can assemble 10 daily.
“But what’s interesting is that we have excess capacity to go up to 10,000 cars per annum, because we can go two and a half shifts, six days a week,” he said.
Additionally, Ms Cherry Cao, the representative of Dongfeng, stated that MHERO 917 was the first production model architecture and the world’s first premium electric rotor, available in both pure electric and extended range versions.
Cao said it had over 1,000 horsepower and a 0 to 100 kilometres per hour acceleration of just 4.2 seconds.
“MHERO 917 delivers breathtaking performance, key innovations such as mega power, electric joint train, all-terrain intelligence system, and rear wheel steer.
“This allows it to move seamlessly from city streets to any green weather, scaling 45-degree rock faces, 4,090 centimetres of water, or powering straight up to 1,000 meters heavily lit in the tender desert.
“The MHERO 917 has accomplished these once reserved ones for the world’s most legendary of brooders,” she said.
NAN reports that it features over 1000 horsepower, a four-motor all-wheel-drive system, and advanced off-road capability.
The body is built for strength and utility, the cabin designed for comfort and technology. It handles rough terrain, deep water, steep slopes, and city roads with the same power and stability.
The vehicle combines exceptional electrical performance, rugged design, and intelligent features in one cohesive package.
