Jerry Isaac Mallo has inked his name in Africa’s automobile industry as the first to launch Nigeria’s maiden Carbon Fiber sports car.
With various fabrications under his belt, Mallo, 25, is the CEO of Bennie Technologies LTD in Nigeria. He named his latest handiwork which was unveiled in Abuja on Thursday to have come up with a Bennie Purrie type of vehicle.
Mallo says he was inspired to create the sports car because he realized Nigeria and Africa is a huge market for luxury cars.
Born in Jos – a city in Nigeria’s middle belt – Mallo says in an interview with Channels TV: “In Europe, we learned that making the car is just half of the challenge, and selling it is the other half; Africa is usually the target place to sell these vehicles, so I feel there’s a big market for it here.”
Africa, according to Mallo, has all the resources and raw materials used in manufacturing vehicles, but sadly they are seldom made in Africa. Hence, another reason why he decided to venture into the manufacturing of cars – to fill that void.
Mallo states Nigeria has loads of hand-skilled individuals but they are wasting away because of the tendency to always favor theory more than practical.
He tells Channels TV that he was thus challenged to do something “practically inclined” which would serve as a platform for other skilled persons to put their hands together and come up with beautiful products.
Plateau ingenuity and innovation on the rise as Governor Lalong’s support for young entrepreneurs yield more results. Gov. Lalong unveiled the BENNIE PURRIE, a sports car manufactured by Jerry Mallo of Bennie Agro & Automobile Technology Ltd. pic.twitter.com/bLv7VB3IiV
— Government of Plateau State (@PlStateGovt) November 28, 2019
Bennie Purrie specifications
Bennie Purrie cars are made of fibers. According to Mallo, the choice of fibers was deliberate to save lives during auto crashes.
Bennie Purrie cars, he says have the characteristics of glass, noting that if they get hit, they break like bottles and the airbags protect the individuals.
Mallo further states in the chat with Channels TV that the cars are also made with tubular chassis in that it gives a firm body to the car which makes it rugged for Nigerian roads.
The cars, he continues, have great cooling systems, with four radiators to ensure that they are cool regardless of the temperature. The speed of the first models go from 0 to 120 in 12 seconds with a 2.0litre engine which produces about 130 big horsepower.
“… There is big room for improvement and we won’t stop till it gets better,” he stated.
Reactions on social media
This is remarkable. How long did it take you to get this done? How much of it was manufactured in Jos?
— אנרגיה (@ASKamara) November 29, 2019
Everything was made in jos
— kreator¡ (@Samybrown4) November 29, 2019
Nice one bro. Keep it up. You need to go higher. Maybe @innosonvehicles can help give it a facelift. All still Nigerian made.
— Afam AguofiaII (@Aguofia) November 29, 2019
i just had to cry for joy. Jerry you are really an inspiration for a whole lot of plateau youth. Congratulations Man. I really celebrate you.
— Collins Mang Dalyop (@collins_dalyop) November 29, 2019
