Peter Obi’s Orders Kickstarted Innoson’s SUV and Pick-Up Production – Innoson Boss

The Chairman of Innoson Group, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, has revealed that former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, played a pivotal role in expanding Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing’s operations to include SUVs and pick-up trucks.

Recalling the early days of his Nnewi-based auto plant, Chukwuma said Obi’s administration provided critical support, including constructing a motorable access road to the plant and placing repeated large-scale vehicle orders.

“Peter Obi gave me much encouragement when I started. He first ordered 700 buses for schools in Anambra State, paying upfront, which really helped me at the time. Later, he ordered 500 pick-ups for security agencies. The only snag in dealing with him is that he would negotiate prices down to the lowest point—but he never owed a single payment,” Chukwuma said.

The turning point came when Obi requested 500 SUVs for traditional rulers. At the time, Innoson had not yet produced SUVs. Chukwuma asked for 14 days to study the request, called his engineers together, and developed the capability to meet the order.

“Peter Obi made me start producing SUVs and pick-ups, and we have no regrets doing so,” he said.

Obi himself once recounted that some in his government advised against purchasing Innoson vehicles, claiming they were unsafe. He responded, “Let the vehicles go ahead and kill us. Those who survive will continue to use them.” The vehicles, however, performed satisfactorily.

The mass orders led to a significant expansion of IVM’s product line to include shuttle buses, mass transit buses, pick-ups, sedans, ambulances, family vans, refuse trucks, and SUVs. By July 2021, the company had commissioned two new plants and installed an automated robotic paint spray booth to boost quality and

efficiency.