Category: news

 

Dr. Cosmas Maduka, President and CEO of Coscharis Group, one of Nigeria’s leading conglomerates was recently recognised as the numero uno Investor of the Year in Nigeria during the recently held Sun Award 2017 ceremony in Lagos. This was in recognition of his doggedness in building Coscharis Group into a household brand from scratch and contributing immensely towards economic growth in Nigeria and in the area of job creation.

In receiving the Sun’s Investor of the Year award, Dr. Maduka described it as a prized recognition for his struggles and challenges over the years which he had turned to opportunities to build a timeless organisation.

According to the organisers of the award, The Sun Publishing Limited, Dr Maduka had built a global brand with a local brand name in Coscharis having secured the confidence of globally respected auto brands with exclusive franchises of brands as BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Ford, MINI and Rolls Royce over the years as their representative in Nigeria. In his words, Eric Osagie, the Managing Director of The Sun Publishing Limited, ”we felt strongly that Dr Cosmas Maduka duly deserve this special award based on the fact that within a short time of diversifying into agriculture, the Coscharis Rice brand name has become an house hold name within the agro – allied sector. This really gave the judges an easy task to give him this award based on his dynamism within the business terrain having virtually conquered the auto world, now doing well in agriculture”.

In addition, Osagie stated that “Coscharis Group, has grown in leaps and bounds. It is now one of Nigeria’s fastest growing conglomerates, with interests spanning manufacturing, ICT, petrochemical, autocare and auto components, automobiles sales and services, agriculture and agro-allied business.”

He enthused further that Dr Maduka is an ardent adherent in the Nigerian project despite its harsh operating environment. “You have continued to venture and invest. Sometimes, one wonders what drives you. At the time when some investors are going away, you are investing more and more.”

According to Abiona Babarinde, the General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group, this award is yet another valuable confirmation of the massive impacts and believe Dr Maduka have had on the Nigerian economy and beyond using the Coscharis brand.

About Coscharis Group

The Group is a conglomerate with investments in cars assemblage, automobiles sales and services, autocare and auto components distributorship, ICT, petrochemical, , agriculture and agro-allied business across Nigeria, Gabon, Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana.

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We are proud to announce the successful completion of this Year’s BMW Golf National championship hosted by Coscharis Motors at the Lakowe Lake Golf Club recently in Lagos. The championship was designed to reward our golf playing customers and select the gross winner to represent BMW Nigeria at the BMW World Golf International in Dubai next year.

The overall gross winner and national representative, Tunji Adebayo actually finished 3^rd place in the men’s category 1 but achieved gross 79 to emerge the overall winner. He will be representing BMW Nigeria next year in Dubai at the Emirate Golf club from March 5 – 10, 2017.

Other winners in the men’s category 1 are: Boniface Obieze – First Place with Nett 70 and Michael Ikpoki – Second Place with Nett 73. For Men’s Category 2 first place went to Tony Tan with Nett 73, Femi Monehin (Nett 74) second place and Paul Brisibe (Nett 77) with third place.

 

Winners in the women’s category are first place – Hon. Rev. Mrs Tshola Williams (Nett 79) while Toyin Martins was second (Nett 82) and Chinyelu Onochie came third with Nett 87.

 

According to the overall gross winner, Tunji Adebayo, he is thrilled to have achieved the status of the national representative and looks forward to ably representing the proudly Nigerian brand in Dubai next year. “It is a magic feeling, and I will not forget this winning for a long time”.

 

For the golfers, it is a dual fun to be rewarded for doing what they enjoy and that’s the beauty in any game. They complimented the BMW representative – Coscharis Motors, “for holding such a fantastic tournament and we are already looking forward to next year’s competition”.

 

For Coscharis, as the exclusive representative of the globally respected iconic auto brand of BMW, it’s always a privileged opportunity to host our ever loyal BMW customers and hot prospects alike in a relax environment enjoying the beautiful sport of Golf. You will all agree with me that this period of the year is just perfect to say thank you for your patronage through the year despite all odds, says Dr Cosmas Maduka, President/CEO of Coscharis Motors, who was represented by Mr Fred Amobi, the Group Executive Director, Operations.

Our expectation is that our top winner from this national qualifier will not only represent us at the BMW World Golf but will return as the first ever winner of the “Major” from Sub Sahara Africa. But all the same, we congratulate all our winners and players who have showed the sporting spirit which is so much part of the game of golf.

Each year BMW presents the opportunity for club golfers from around the world – a chance to participate in amateur golf’s only “Major.” It’s called the BMW Golf Cup International and it’s entered by over 1000 golfers from 50 countries, culminating in a 54 hole competition on one of the most beautiful golf resorts on the planet. This year’s event culminates in Dubai at the Emirate Golf club from March 5 – 10, 2017.

From a customer-centric perspective, we have always moved courses each year we have hosted this event. As a matter of fact, this event is organised in order to ensure that all our customers and prospects get equal chance to participate and enjoy the amazing feel and experience of the BMW Golf World Final.

In the past, we have hosted the BMW Golf national qualifiers at the Le Meridian Golf Club in Uyo, IBB Golf Club, Abuja, Ikoyi Club, Ikoyi but this is our first with Lakowe, which currently ranks among the biggest courses in West Africa.

Our plan is to, at least, sponsor the overall top player to an all expense paid trip towards representing our local market at the BMW world championship. And this is why we have insisted that the BMW National Final is an official golf tournament and must be played according to the official rules.

Playing in the BMW Golf Cup World Final is once in a lifetime experience as every participant can only qualify for the World Final once in their lifetime. As a standard rule players are expected to either be first time participants or mustn’t have participated in the last 5 events (World Final 2011-2015).

We are offering a 2 year complementary service and free insurance for any purchase or commitment within this yuletide period.

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Barely a month after receiving the COWLSO award, Coscharis Group has clinched one of the Top 50 Brands Awards 2016 held in Lagos recently. It emerged number one in the Conglomerate category with an aggregate of 54.3 on the Brand Strength Measurement (BMS) index. This was announced during the Top 50 Brands Award ceremony yesterday.

This category celebrates owners that have invested heavily on their companies to achieve the promise made and they are now generating value as a return in their different areas of business investment.

According to the organizers, “Every year at The Top 50 BRANDS Nigeria, we present a report on a year-long research to determine brands that have exemplified themselves, lived up to their promises and earned considerable value”.

General Manager Marketing & Corporate Communications, Abiona Babarinde, who received the award on behalf of Coscharis Group, said it was a reaffirmation of the company’s continuous efforts to expand its product portfolio towards catering to all relevant facet of the economy. “Coscharis is committed to ensuring that every household in Nigeria utilizes a product from its stable on the long run”.

“Winning the award is a testimony to Coscharis Group constant demonstration to deliver our brand promise of providing the highest quality standard of products and services across Nigeria; while ensuring the sustenance of our corporate values by operating with increasing profit and waxing stronger and bigger into the future,” he added. “It is also a reassurance of the strong brand equity we enjoy as well as our dedication in connecting with our stakeholders wherever we operate.”

Abiona added that Coscharis Group would continue to remain focused on strengthening its brand experience, especially by providing customers with access to global best products and services.

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Coscharis Group was recently presented with an appreciation award by the national women conference of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) for the company’s laudable contribution to the realization of the Committee’s vision.

The event which took place on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at the Convention Centre of Eko Hotel & Suites, was notably attended by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; Governor of Edo, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who presented the award to the President of Coscharis Group, Dr Cosmas Maduka; the Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule and Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa among other dignitaries.

 

According to the Chairman, Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), Mrs Bolanle Ambode, “The conference was designed to enrich the knowledge of women on good family values, good upbringing of children and lots more”.

In receiving the award, the President of Coscharis Group, Dr Cosmas Maduka stated that the Group will remain unflinching towards supporting any organisation that is committed to bringing development and progress in the society and advancing the cause of those considered vulnerable. “We are a company that is not solely profit oriented but committed to ploughing back resources to the society”.

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The President of Coscharis Group, Dr Cosmas Maduka, was recently conferred the honorary Doctorate Degree Honoris Causa by the Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) during the university’s fourth convocation ceremonies at the University premise in Ado Ekiti for his commitment to academic and business excellence.

In strict compliance with the 2012 Keffi Declaration, the University’s Council and Senate, after a strict, rigorous, thorough and merit-based selection process, approved the conferment of this award to Dr Cosmas Maduka, a consummate and first rate business mogul who rose from obscurity to fame, says the Vice Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Professor Michael Ajisafe.

 

Furthermore, the Vice Chancellor in his address enthused that the ‘the beauty of honourary degrees anywhere in the world is that they are awarded to persons who are deserving of such honours having excelled in character, useful application of intellect and academic excellence. In many cases, honourary degrees are rated higher than the degrees we study to obtain since so many other parameters other than academic excellence are considered before they are bestowed on persons deserving of them.’

For Ambassador Prof. Iyoruwuese Hagher, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University Council, the award to Dr Cosmas Maduka is a privileged honour to the university given his incessant commitments to mentoring youths towards turning every single challenge to opportunity.

This award further cements the Coscharis Group’s leadership commitment to excellence, delivering quality products and services to customers and contributing to societal development and progress.

According to the General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group, Abiona Babarinde, this is just one in a series of honorary awards received by Dr Cosmas Maduka, who have overtime contributed to an array of endowment chairs, corporate sponsorships and government donations.

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Two major players in the transportation sector, Coscharis Motors Limited and Chisco Transport Limited are set to jointly delight customers / travellers on the Chisco platform. At a joint media briefing held recently in Lagos to formally announce the unique loyalty campaign tagged ”Rides and Rewards Promo”, the two companies together with other stakeholders present unveiled the details of the campaign which majorly was to digitalise local transport business with the travellers in mind.

 

The Rides & Rewards Quarterly Promo comes with a Brand new Morris Garages 3 series car as star prize give away and several consolation prizes worth millions of Naira. The promo is structured to run every quarter to reward frequent travellers and it is exclusive to online bookings strictly for those that patronise Chisco transport vehicles.

 

While addressing the media partners at the briefing, Mr. Abiona Babarinde, General Manager Marketing & Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group said Coscharis is proud to identify with Chisco for trailing the blaze on the digitalization of the road transport industry in Nigeria. Abiona noted, “Coscharis is a value driven organization and as such, we find a brand fit in any organization which takes the offering of value added goods and services to its customers seriously. This is what Chisco transport Ltd has demonstrated by creating this digital platform for its customers to initialize and conclude their road transport bookings online, thus our decision to partner with them to further delight their customers.”

He went on, “We are equally proud that Chisco has chosen one of our great brands we represent in Nigeria, the MG3 as the star prize for their loyalty reward promo. The MG which is the acronym for Morris Garages, is a British brand which has been around since 1924 and Coscharis Motors is the exclusive franchise owner in Nigeria. The MG3 is regarded as a supermini car and like the rest of its siblings in the MG range, it is respected around the world for its sleek designs, world class performance and ICT savvy. There is no doubt that the eventual winner of this promo will go home with an automobile machine to be proud of.”

 

On his part, the Director, Assets Management, Chisco Group, Mr. Obinna Anyaegbu said, “As a brand we are spurred to tow this direction, knowing that digitisation is cutting across all layers of our society to the extent that virtually every action we take today has a digital approach to it.

 

“As one of the industry giants, our strategic focus is to develop and drive an integrated transportation system that is digitally holistic in design and functionalities to promote contactless ticketing, improve operational efficiency, and create better experiences for our customers.” He added, “Our choice of partners – Coscharis Motors, Zenith Bank, Interswitch, TECNO Mobile- is inspired by their techie savvy and compatibility at pioneering the next-generation vehicles, transport systems solutions, and smart mobility services that comes with the future today.”

With the most secured online bus booking portal, Instant ticketing via email and SMS, Realtime bookings, online; Payment via Zenith bank global pay and internet banking platform, USSD and all Interswitch platforms, 24/7 Customer Help-Desk, Best online discount and ERP Integration with AGABAH. The CHISCO Transport digitisation is taking all competitors to the cleaners.

The Chisco digital direction is designed to create more jobs, drive financial independence and support the spirit of entrepreneurship through its ticketing Agency model and business integrations, benchmarking the international Air Transport ticketing model.

 

The event was packaged by AGABAH for Chisco Transport in partnership with Coscharis Motors, Zenith Bank, Interswitch, TECNO Mobile, and COOL FM.

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In celebration of BMW‘s 100th year anniversary, Coscharis recently collaborate with the renowned fashion house MAJU to unveil its “Maju x BMW Edit”. The objective was to highlight the BMW lifestyle and fashion collections in Lagos.

According to the General Managing Marketing and Corporate Communications, Coscharis Motors, Abiona Babarinde, “the BMW brand has always stood for fashion and trend setting especially with regards to designs and quality”.

This centenary campaign is for those who want to extend their experience beyond the road and further their experience of the typical BMW dynamism and lifestyle – now with a wider range of products, styles and models to choose from aside the best know models. These include BMW 2 series, 4 series, 5 Series, 6 series and the all new X4.

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-Comes Handy As An Everyday Luxury Car.

 

The new BMW 3-Series delivers driving satisfaction both in everyday driving and on curvy rough roads—yet with better fuel economy than in the past, with most 3-Series cars now returning more than 30 mpg on the highway if you keep it smooth and responsible. This makes it a premium everyday car with lest maintenance cost.

DRIVING

BMW is renowned for its prowess in driving technology and arguably holds the biggest class advantage in this regard – as a matter of fact, the previous 3-Series was regularly hailed as the best car in its class to point down a piece of tricky tarmac. The current 3 series sustain this class act.

 

The new 3 series is not necessarily more tactile than the older ones, but it’s certainly smoother and more supple, particularly with the must-have optional Adamptive M Sport suspension. The steering is nicely weighted and the front end is so accurate and responsive that you know exactly where you are with it at all times. It’s smooth, enjoyable and exhibits deftness in all it does. What’s more BMW seems to have nailed the relationship between supple suspension and run-flat tyres. This 3-Series is more cohesive than ever, something that’s only enhanced by this tweaked and even more near-perfect facelift.

 

CRISP EXTERIOR DESIGN

Exterior design is defined by the classic proportions of a sports sedan. The hood is lower at the nose, but rises higher than the previous model thanks to pedestrian safety regulations; the cabin is larger and longer. BMW gave the 3-Series a few styling tweaks for 2016. Headlights and taillights have been redesigned with even more distinctive signatures when illuminated. Front and rear fascias were also reshaped.

 

 

NOW SPACIOUS INTERIOR

Although its dimensions have grown considerably in recent years, the new 3 Series is still very much a compact sport sedan. That means you’ll find plenty of space up front, where a wide range of adjustability enables almost anyone to find a comfortable position—this is true whether you choose the base seats or upgraded Sport seats with extending thigh bolsters and stronger side bolstering. The 3 series is still true to the original design concept – a self driven luxury car that prioritises absolute fun for the driver.

The trunk space is good (480 litres), and with the right option package you can move your foot under the rear bumper to open the trunk when your hands are full. The Sports Wagon provides much more utility, and offers an appealing compromise for active families who want an engaged driving experience and a good measure of practicality.

 

POWER TRAIN

The BMW 3-Series has long set the performance benchmark for compact sport sedans. That continues to hold true, even as it has become slightly softer and competitors have gotten much better.

 

The current 3-Series lineup offers several turbocharged engine choices. To start, there are two variants of a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4: it makes 180 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque in the entry-level 320i, while rising to 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque under the hood of a mid-range 328i. Under the hood of the new range-topping 340i is an all-new turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 that produces 320 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque. The 335i Gran Turismo retains last year’s 300-hp six-cylinder engine.

 

With the same basic turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 as found in the 328i, but de-tuned to 180 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque, the 320i is BMW’s answer to the Mercedes-Benz CLA Class and Audi A3 sedan. The next step up the ladder is the 328i, rated at 240 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque.

Rear-wheel drive is standard on all sedan models, with available all-wheel drive. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard, but BMW offers a 6-speed manual as a no-cost option for 316i, 318i, 320i and 328i models.

A 3-Series delivers balanced handling and dynamics regardless of body style or drive type, but sedans with rear-wheel drive have a slight edge. It’s important to note that the 3-Series isn’t as sharp as it once was; it has gotten softer and more comfortable, but it’s still a capable back-road hustler. The 340i is undeniably potent, but the 4-cylinder turbo in the 328i still offers a lot of speed and fuel efficiency, and working to keep its performance at full boil might make it more fun.

 

ASKING PRICES

Despite the over 70% increase in the prices of cars in Nigeria due to FOREX, the base prices for the 3-Series tend to be largely reasonable and highly competitive among its segment and even to other value sedan class. According to the Coscharis BMW Sales Divisional General Manager, Joseph Omokhapue, the starting price for the 3 series is in the mid-N19,000,000.

 

There is also the option of a service inclusive package, which guarantees the maintenance of the car for a period of 4 years or 100,000kms (whichever comes first) at no extra cost. Customers also get as standard, a 24-hour mobile service provision across the country; availability of back up vehicles in a case where we have to keep your vehicle beyond agreed service period and special packages for all fleet owners.

 

SAFETY

Any 2016 BMW 3-Series should provide good occupant protection in most crashes.

Federal safety authorities have given the 2016 3-Series a five-star overall rating, including four star frontal and five-star side impact ratings.

 

In the IIHS small overlap test, which simulates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with either another vehicle or an object such as a utility pole or tree, sends the vehicle into a five-foot-tall rigid barrier at 40 mph, lining up the vehicle so that the barrier is struck by 25 percent of the total width of the vehicle.

 

A host of driver assists are available, but they tend to be optional rather than standard. A Driver Assistance package includes a rearview camera and rear parking sensors, while the Driver Assistance Plus package adds a surround-view camera, blind spot monitor, lane departure warning, speed limit data, and an active collision mitigation system.

 

The 3-Series receives the IIHS “Advanced” rating in front crash prevention, when equipped with the Driver Assistance Plus package and its Collision Warning with City Braking function. That package also adds a surround-view camera, blind spot monitor, lane departure warning, speed limit data, and an active collision mitigation system.

 

FUEL PERFORMANCE

The BMW 3 Series fuel efficiency is pretty good for sport sedans.

The new BMW 3-Series delivers plenty of performance, but not at an undue cost to the environment. Even the 340i with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 is rated for 33 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. Things just get better with the line-up’s other engines, with highway ratings of 35 mpg for the 328i and 36 mpg for the 320i. What’s more, with a relatively judicious use of the accelerator pedal, it’s often possible to achieve these numbers in real-world driving conditions.

 

The entire 3-Series line-up enhances fuel efficiency with a start-stop system that shuts the engine off at stop lights; this happens only when automatics are in drive or manuals are in gear with clutch and brake pedals depressed. A Brake Energy Regeneration system, used in some models, further reduces fuel usage by delaying aggressive alternator usage until you brake. You’ll also save petrol with an Eco Pro mode that softens throttle response, shifts earlier, and makes accessory operation more efficient.

INSURANCE

According to Joseph Omokhapue, Coscharis could offer a discounted insurance rate and a free registration on the BMW 3 Series.

TRADE IN OPTION

No BMW 3 Series suffers from particularly bad depreciation, but if value retention is a priority then we offer a trade in option, especially for customers who intend to upgrade to either the larger BMW sedans or SUVs. According to the Trade In Manager, Philip Umeh, the used BMW 3 Series is one of his fasted selling vehicles.

 

CONCLUSION

The BMW 3 Series has been a class leader for more than forty years, and not wishing to be outdone, BMW facelifted the 3 Series in mid-2015, adding updated lights and bumpers, new engines and a lightly revised interior. The result is a superb-driving four-door saloon that’s better than ever, thanks to an appealing mix of upmarket badge appeal, an enjoyable chassis, smooth engines and low running costs. Good as a retail or fleet car especially given its superb fuel efficiency, performance and maintenance.

 

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In line with its strategic aspirations to enhance the Group’s focus in creating more value in terms of market leadership vis-a-vis its 5-year strategic expansion plan., Coscharis Group has announced the appointment of Fred Amobi as the Group Executive Director-Operations.

Fred Amobi brings on board over 25 years experience covering consulting, finance, sales/ marketing and general management within different sectors including FMCG, Packaging, Food and Building/Construction in diversified conglomerates and multinational organizations like UACN, Nigerian Bottling Company and Lafarge. Prior to joining Coscharis Group, he was the Executive Director /Director, Readymix Operations with Lafarge Africa Plc.

Fred is a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. He graduated with a Distinction in Accountancy from the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu. He also holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

Mr. Amobi has attended many senior and executive management programmes at both Harvard Business School and Management Center Europe. He is a widely travelled executive who has spoken in many international investors conferences within Africa, USA and United Kingdom.

Fred will be responsible for coordination of all Coscharis Group support functions while driving the execution of the Group’s 5-year Strategic plan.

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