By ebosele@hotmail.com. —
The Jetour Dashing has been crowned Nigeria’s 2025 Car of the Year by the Nigeria Auto Journalists’ Association (NAJA), after emerging tops in a closely contested assessment involving some of the models in the Nigerian automotive market.
The announcement was made on Tuesday at the 18th NAJA International Auto Awards, held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The tech-driven compact crossover SUV outperformed strong rivals, including the Changan CS55 and Chery Tiggo, to clinch the industry’s most prestigious accolade.
With the victory, the Jetour Dashing joins an elite list of past winners of the Car of the Year award, which includes the Changan CS55, Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla and Kia Rio, further underscoring its rising appeal and relevance in Nigeria’s highly competitive auto market.
Beyond the flagship award, the ceremony recognised excellence across the automotive value chain. Mikano was named Auto Company of the Year, while Toyota Nigeria’s Isolo facility (TNL Workshop) won Workshop of the Year.
In the commercial vehicle segment, Dangote Sinotruk emerged Heavy-Duty Truck Brand of the Year, Iron Products Industries (IPI) Ltd was named Truck Assembler/Body Builder of the Year, Lanre Shittu Motors (JAC) clinched Truck Plant of the Year, and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) was recognised as Passenger Car Assembly Plant of the Year.
The electric and alternative energy category also featured prominently, with Saglev winning EV Brand of the Year and Jet Automobiles Ltd named CNG Vehicle Assembler of the Year. Massilia Motors (Mitsubishi) emerged Most Innovative Auto Company of the Year, while Suzuki by CFAO was recognised as the Most Competitively Priced Brand of the Year.
Model-specific honours saw the Mercedes-Benz S-Class win Luxury Car of the Year, Range Rover Autobiography (Coscharis Motors) clinch Luxury SUV of the Year, and Kia Seltos emerge Compact SUV of the Year. Changan CS55 (Mikano Motors) won Midsize SUV of the Year, Toyota Hilux was named Pick-Up of the Year, Toyota Hiace emerged Minibus of the Year, while the Mercedes-Benz E-Class was recognised as Most Popular Luxury Model of the Year.
Corporate resilience and enterprise were also celebrated. Stallion Motors, R.T. Briscoe Nigeria Plc and ANAMMCO Ltd were honoured as Resilient Auto Companies of the Year, while Coscharis Motors clinched Multiple Brand Auto Company of the Year. CFAO Mobility emerged Most Enterprising Auto Company of the Year, and GUO Transport Ltd was named Transport Company of the Year.
New market entrants were equally recognised, with New Era Automobile Services, JIM–ISUZU Pick-Up (Cedric Autos Ltd), JEGO EV, NORD A9 and Jetour X50 named New Entrants of the Year. NORD Automobiles also emerged as Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year, reflecting the increasing dynamism of Nigeria’s auto market.
In aftersales and services, Carloha won both Auto Aftersales Company of the Year and Pre-owned Company of the Year, while Winpart clinched Auto Aftersales Service Provider of the Year (Parts and Workshop).
Individual excellence was also celebrated at the event. Chairman/CEO of NORD Automobiles, Oluwatobi Ajayi, was named Auto Personality of the Year (Private Sector), while the Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Otunba Joseph Osanipin, emerged Auto Personality of the Year (Public Sector). Managing Director/CEO of BKG Exhibitions Ltd, Ifeanyi Agwu, was honoured as Auto Show Promoter of the Decade, while Sonu Singh of Stallion Motors won Marketing/Media Manager of the Year.
Speaking at the ceremony, NADDC Director General Joseph Osanipin commended NAJA for sustaining a credible platform that celebrates excellence, innovation and professionalism within the automotive industry. He noted that automotive journalists play a critical role in informing the public, promoting accountability and highlighting industry advancements.
In his welcome address, NAJA Chairman, Mr. Theodore Opara, described the awards as one of the most respected platforms in the sector, noting that the initiative has continued to evolve over its 18-year history despite rapid global and local changes.
He said the automotive landscape is undergoing major transformation, driven by advances in vehicle technology, alternative energy solutions, policy reforms, local assembly and changing consumer expectations.
The 2025 edition of the NAJA International Auto Awards once again reinforced its position as the benchmark for recognising excellence, innovation and growth within Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem.
