Autochek, a company focused on automotive technology, has announced the launch of its online truck lending marketplace in Nigeria and Ghana.

This is an attempt to migrate the trucking industry to online transactions and increase financing penetration, according to a statement from the company that said it aims to create solutions for the market. African.

This good news allows the company to provide the same services to trucks as with the cars already listed on its platform. Autochek’s 360 degree solution provides truck finance through financial partners with core expertise in fleet finance such as Baobab Group and FundQuest Nigeria with distribution across Africa and competitive rates.

Described as Africa’s premier truck loan market, the launch follows Autochek’s recent expansion into Ghana, one of Africa’s most advanced auto markets.

With hundreds of truck dealers across Nigeria and Ghana on its platform, the fleet includes platforms, semi-trailers, tankers as well as heavy, garbage and panel trucks. As part of the deployment, Autochek is partnering with key logistics players in Nigeria and Ghana, including Kobo360, to fund trucks for African e-logistics carriers and truck owners.

This means that customers interested in owning a truck can do so with financing at the best rates.

The new platform is available through the Autochek Android app or website and all trucks go through a 150-point check inspection process before being listed to guide customers on the exact condition of the trucks. .

To ensure trucks stay on the road in good condition, truck owners also benefit from affordable and specialized maintenance services from standardized workshops and technicians from the Autochek partner network.

John Egwu, Autochek Vice President of Operations, said: “Autochek’s goal has always been to transform the auto business on the continent. Now is the time for us to expand our services to trucks, as we build our network and support our partners by providing them with a structured market to purchase and maintain their fleets. “

According to Egwu, “Truck finance penetration is less than 1% in Africa and our ambition is to migrate what is known to be a basic offline market to a digital platform, in order to increase finance penetration. and create a one-stop shop. this will not only meet the needs of partners, but will also increase earning capacity and job creation along the value chain. “

Launched in 2020 by Etop Ikpe, serial entrepreneur and president / CEO and supported by TLcom Capital, 4DX Ventures, the burgeoning online automotive market combines technology and data to enhance the buying and selling experience African consumers, by creating a single market for all. automotive needs.

To date, the Autochek app already has 20,000 unique vehicles listed on its platform, and more than 12,000 dealers and private sellers as well as a range of corporate partners and customers.

Autochek is an automotive technology company created to create digital solutions to improve and enable automotive trade across Africa.

The company aims to transform the automotive buying and selling experience for African consumers with its digital applications and solutions.

TIPS OF THE WEEK

By Bennett Oghifo

It’s not uncommon for people to mix or use the wrong fluids in their cars, and if they do, the results can range from irritating to fatal. Consumer Reports describes the potential damage you can do to your car, or to yourself, in a story that appears in the November issue.

“Adding antifreeze to the windshield washer reservoir could create a slimy mess,” said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ automatic test center in East Haddam, Connecticut. “But a UK health study found that filling the tank with just water creates a good breeding ground for the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease.”

Consumers should check their owner’s manual before filling any fluid under the hood of their car, Champion said. People should check with a mechanic, or even the people behind the counter at the local auto parts store, if they have any doubts.

The story appears in the November issue of Consumer Reports, which goes on sale October 5. It is also available to subscribers of www.ConsumerReports.org. Updated daily, ConsumerReports.org is the go-to site for the latest auto reviews, product news, breaking news blogs, and car buying information.

Here is what could happen if you use the wrong fluids:

1. Engine oil slips. The brand of engine oil does not matter, but its viscosity grade (10W-30, for example) is important. Use only what the owner’s manual specifies. Using the wrong oil can reduce lubrication and reduce engine life. If the manual says to use synthetic oil, then do so. Contrary to popular belief, adding synthetic oil to regular oil will not damage the engine, but there is no benefit to doing so.

2. Battery fluid. Some car batteries have single accessible cells that may need a little water to cover the lead plates. Use only distilled water, which does not contain salts or minerals. If tap water is added to the electrolyte liquid of a battery, it can allow water minerals to accumulate on the internal lead plates of the battery, which will reduce battery power and shorten its lifespan.

3. Be cool with the water. A car’s cooling system uses a mixture of water and antifreeze; proper coolant, at concentrations (typically 50/50) designed to prevent it from freezing in cold weather and boiling in hot weather. Adding too much water to the mixture can make it more susceptible to freezing and boiling. This can prevent the car from starting when it is freezing and cause overheating in warmer weather. Tap water can also lead to a build-up of minerals in the cooling system, reducing its efficiency.

4. Adding diesel fuel to the tank of a gasoline car. This will cause the engine to trip and knock, if it is running. Fortunately, diesel pumps have oversized nozzles, so the mistake is hard to make. Depending on the amount of gasoline added to a diesel vehicle’s tank, it could do little harm or damage the fuel pump, injectors and other parts. If the confusion is detected early enough, a technician can limit the damage by draining the contaminated fuel. In the meantime, do not run the engine.

5. Special sauce for your brakes. Braking systems use hydraulic fluid specially formulated for this purpose. Replacing the transmission or power steering fluid, which are similar to each other, can affect the seals, damage the system, and possibly cause brake failure. Note that if the brake fluid level is low, your vehicle probably needs brake system service anyway. Either the brakes are worn or there is a leak.

6. Gears stuck. Automatic transmissions should only use the fluid specified by the vehicle manufacturer, such as General Motors’ Dexron series or Toyota’s T-type. Using the wrong fluid can lead to poor lubrication, overheating, and possibly transmission failure. A mechanic might not be able to reverse the damage, even flushing the transmission. Adding engine oil or brake fluid by mistake can destroy your transmission as well.

7. No-no windshield washer fluid. In addition to creating the perfect environment for deadly bacteria, water doesn’t clean as well as washer fluid and is prone to freezing. Using household glass cleaners or ammonia can leave foam on the windshield, damage a car’s finish, enter the air intake system, and create a potentially harmful environment in the car. passenger compartment. (Source: Noria newswire)