The growing appetite for spacewagons in Nigeria

Mrs Adeola Iwalewa, a Lagos-based business woman told guests who attended her 50th birthday celebration that the brand new space wagon Sienna gift her hubby presented to her on that memorable day is the height of their year-long courtship. She was full of delight as she clutched the key of the greyish car to the […]

Mrs Adeola Iwalewa, a Lagos-based business woman told guests who attended her 50th birthday celebration that the brand new space wagon Sienna gift her hubby presented to her on that memorable day is the height of their year-long courtship.

She was full of delight as she clutched the key of the greyish car to the admiration of her guests.

She said Sienna is her dream car, adding that the gift is a dream come true.

“I have always liked Sienna and dreamt that I will be a proud owner of the car. That is why today is a great one for me. I have been able to fulfil one of my dreams courtesy of my husband. I can now cruise around Lagos comfortably,” she expressed.

Adeola is not the only one who has developed sudden craze for space wagon cars as many Nigerians now identify with the type.

The craze cuts across

From Lagos to Ibadan, Abuja, Minna, Enugu and Abakaliki, the appetite for space wagon cars is growing among Nigerians.

“Space wagons are the in-thing now in major cities of Nigeria. It has come to stay and its patronage is growing astronomically. The market is really here because Nigerians are good consumers of wagons which come in different brands,” an automobile expert Seun Adigun observed.

Our correspondent revealed that the use of space wagons is not limited to the highbrow areas of Lagos but includes growing areas whose inhabitants are now caught in the web of craze for the automobile.

Space wagons come in different brands like Quest, Sienna, Odyssey Mitsubishi Previa etc. Their prices though high have not prevented people from buying them.

Those who cannot afford the new ones easily purchase used ones at fair prices.

Why space wagons

The question is, why are people dying for space wagons? Mr Sakah Buraimoh, who works for the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRSC) told our correspondent that his love for his Sienna is premised on availability of space in the car.

“With my car, I can move my large family from one place to another comfortably without stress. I can also drive comfortably with good speed. I think the car is a family car and it is good,” he explained.

Mrs Ester Onasanya, a civil servant said she bought her space wagon because of its durability. She said its engine can last years.

Hear her: “I have been using my Sienna for over four years without any major repair to the engine or its body. Combined with the comfort and space I derive, I must say I don’t regret buying the space wagon.”

According to a businessman, he bought his Odyssey wagon because it is easy to maintain.

He said the size of the car places him in vantage position and he can lift his large family for picnics instead of buying two cars to serve that purpose.

“It is also very cheap to maintain. It does not consume much fuel and its servicing is even easier than some cars,” he noted.

To Anabel Esiri, a beautician, she bought her Quest wagon because of the beautiful design of the car.

She said the beauty of the car has a mirror image on her personality which goes a long way in promoting her business.

She expressed, “I love good looking cars. And my Quest has offered me one. Anytime I drive it, I step out stylishly!”

Big profit from space wagons

A businessman, Sunday Pelumi said space wagons are rugged and therefore fit the bad roads in Nigeria.

There is no doubt that the increasing use of space wagons translates to considerable sales margin for manufacturers and dealers who now keep fat bank accounts.

A dealer in Berger said the rate of turnover on space wagon cars is on the rise lately.

He confirmed that in the last six months, the sale of space wagons in his stock is much more impressive than previous years.

He did not give the exact number of units sold but said, his “supplier is happy with me now because of good sales”.

Another dealer in Apapa told our correspondent that the sale of space wagons is impressive.

He attributed the development to undying appetite of Nigerians for the brands.