By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Local auto maker, Innoson Vehicles, has announced its intention to join the car-hailing business from Friday, November 13, 2020. The venture would be called IVM Cruise.
A statement issued on Thursday by the Head of Corporate Communications and Affairs at IVM Innoson Group, Mr Cornel Osigwe, disclosed that the decision to float the new firm was part of the company’s commitment to boost the economy of Nigeria.
Mr Osigwe explained that the IVM Cruise service is designed to operate on an incremental digital architecture in line with modern trends in the city transportation industry.
According to him, Innoson’s IVM Cruise ride-hailing service will have a digital wallet payment system, an offline payment facility, an interactive user interface/application for both pilots and commuters, an ease of usage, a personalised experience which is customised to each subscriber of the IVM Cruise app, and a pilot interface system which directs pilots to areas within the city where there are increased subscriber requests.
He said this technology enables a subscriber to enjoy the IVM Cruise experience in few minutes from requesting a ride.
“As a foremost wholly-owned Nigerian vehicle manufacturing company, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Limited is poised to create avenues for deepening societal development through transportation while ensuring dignity to Nigerian transporters,” the statement said.
The spokesman of the auto firm noted that IVM Cruise will commence operations from the city of Enugu with other cities consecutively coming on stream.
“The IVM Cruise ride-hailing service from Nigeria’s foremost vehicle manufacturing company is unique as it offers drivers, aptly named pilots, a chance of becoming owners of brand new Innoson vehicles after a period of three years in which the cost of these vehicles would have been paid.
“IVM Cruise is a technology-driven ride-hailing service. It offers commuters a platform for requesting pickups and drop-offs from their various locations to their destinations,” the statement said.
