LAGOS based switch engineer, Mr. Opeyemi Ologun has emerged winner of the Ford Ranger Challenge competition held recently.Ologun, 28, and two other finalists were given two Ford Rangers to carry out their challenges.During the presentation of an all-new Ford Ranger 3.2 XLT double cab to Olaogun on Wednesday in Lagos, the organisers Ford Motors Corporation said the challenge was a way of giving back to its customers and make them have a prior knowledge of its vehicles.Besides, the Senior Marketing Manager for its Sub Saharan Africa Market, Eugene Prinsloo said the idea behind the challenge was to create a formidable market share for the Ford brand worldwide.According to him, the Nigerian market is a key one for the Ford brand, adding that Nigeria is the only market besides South Africa where the challenge is currently being held across the region.Speaking further, he said the company and its dealers are committed to ensure that the Ford brand is entrenched in the country, adding that the brand is poised to gain more market share in the country.The Ford Ranger Challenger is the second in the series after the Focus challenge, which held last year.The Ford Ranger Challenge, according to the organizers, involved contestants putting the all-new truck to the test in their everyday lives. The tasks and challenging terrain were described on the contest's web page, with the public invited to read all about the challenges and vote for their favourite contestant.Giving a detailed brief on the challenge, the organisers said, 'In Ranger versus Omo Forest Reserve, Ologun traveled more than two hours in the all-new truck to Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, then traveled the rough, rocky and steep path from the reserve gate to Erin.'Situated in the southwest province, the Omo Forest has one of the most difficult trails in the country. A wooden bridge along the trail has prompted many professional truck drivers to abandon their efforts to attempt the incline. However with the Ranger's 4x4 capability, Ologun was able to meet the challenge it presented, prompting voters to decide he had put the Ranger to the ultimate test'.Speaking on the challenge, the winner noted that the experience with the ranger was livelong one, adding that he was very privileged to have emerged as the winner of the brand new vehicle.'I was advised not to drive across the bridge, but I knew if I could maintain a steady speed I could count on Ranger to do the rest, and I was right', Olaogun said. To enter the contest, would-be participants had to submit videos of themselves or an essay explaining why they should be considered for the challenge and why they were uniquely qualified to take it on. The organisers explained that the contest has been running in select markets around the world, 'It was announced in Thailand, began in Australia and has been making its way across the globe to Nigeria and beyond'.The new Ranger would launch into the Nigerian Market before the end of next month.'We're looking forward to adding the all new Ranger to our extensive line-up of cars and trucks,' said, Ford regional sales manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, Ezio Tuniz.
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