Jerry Mallo, a fabrication engineer and chief executive officer of Bennie Technologies Limited has unveiled the first made in Nigeria carbon fiber sports car.
The carbon fiber car named “Bennie Purrie” was exhibited on the 28th of November 2019 at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.
Jerry Mallo said he was inspired to create the sports car because Nigeria and Africa at large have all the required resources and raw materials needed.
The 25-year-old said he discovered his passion for cars at the age of five when he was in primary 2. He said while in school he found it difficult to comprehend the theoretical aspect of his courses but did well in his practical classes.
According to Jerry Mallo:
“Africa is a good market for luxury vehicles.
I got that exposure when I was in the UK in Europe. We learnt that making the car is just half of the challenge, and selling it is the other half.
Africa is usually is the target place to sell these vehicles, so I feel there’s a big market for it here.
We have a lot of hand skilled individuals in Nigeria and they are lying wasted if you would allow me to say it, it is like the theoretical aspect is what is valued more and I am poor at the theoretical so I saw it as a challenge why don’t I do something practically-inclined and will also be platform for others to put their mind and we’ll make a living out of it.”
Mallo further stated that the car was made with fibers that have characteristics of glass totally different from the normal cars in Nigeria made with aluminum.
He said instead of victims getting crushed while in an accident, the car would break into pieces and the victims are protected with airbags.
The car manufacturer said the car has four radiators for Nigeria’s temperature and rugged for the country’s road.
Mallo said the car is not ready for purchase yet as it is more like research but will be ready for commercialisation in two years.
On the 2nd of August 2018, Mallo emerged as the overall winner of the Micro Small Medium Enterprise award.
Jerry Mallo specialises in the fabrication of agricultural machines including a tractor, which earned him the national award as MSME of the year.
