New Mercedes-Benz Atego’s technology, performance raise benchmark in Nigeria’s truck business

Weststar Associates Limited, authorised general distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria, has raised the bar in the country’s medium-duty truck market with the introduction of the new Mercedes-Benz Atego 1726, combining stronger performance, enhanced braking technology and greater versatility to meet the increasingly demanding needs of Nigerian businesses.

The new Atego 1726, which replaces the widely acclaimed Atego 1725, represents a significant evolution of the model, bringing together improved engineering, enhanced drivetrain technology and greater operational efficiency for transport and logistics operators.

The latest addition to Weststar’s commercial vehicle portfolio has been designed for businesses where reliability, vehicle uptime and total cost of ownership are critical to profitability.

Powered by the proven OM 926 six-cylinder, 7.2-litre diesel engine, the Atego 1726 delivers 256 horsepower and 900Nm of torque, giving operators the power required for demanding cargo operations while maintaining smooth performance under varying road and load conditions.

A major technology highlight is the optional Mercedes-Benz High-Performance Engine Brake, a three-stage braking system capable of delivering up to 300kW of braking power.

The system provides enhanced vehicle control, particularly on difficult terrain and during heavy-load operations, while reducing reliance on the service brakes. This can help minimise brake wear and lower maintenance costs over the truck’s operating life.

Beyond its powertrain, the Atego 1726 offers a highly adaptable chassis platform that allows operators to configure the truck for a wide range of commercial applications.

Its chassis-cab design makes it suitable for distribution and FMCG logistics, beverage transportation, refrigerated haulage, municipal and waste management services, construction, oil and gas logistics, general haulage, crane operations and specialised tipper applications.

With a Gross Vehicle Weight of 17.1 tonnes, the Atego 1726 is built to carry substantial payloads while maintaining stability, handling and ride comfort.

Its suspension system, featuring proven parabolic springs on both the front and rear axles, further reinforces its suitability for the demanding operating conditions often encountered on Nigerian roads.

The truck also places emphasis on driver comfort, with customers able to choose from Classic, Comfort and Standard cockpit configurations. The options provide businesses with flexibility while giving drivers an ergonomic working environment suited to extended hours behind the wheel.

Speaking on the introduction, Head of Commercial Vehicles at Weststar Associates Limited, Umoh Ekanem, said the new Atego 1726 reflected the company’s commitment to providing Nigerian businesses with reliable and efficient commercial vehicles.

“The introduction of the new Mercedes-Benz Atego 1726 demonstrates our continued commitment to providing Nigerian businesses with commercial vehicles that deliver outstanding reliability, efficiency and performance,” Ekanem said.

“Our customers operate in demanding environments where every delivery and every hour of uptime matters. The Atego has long been recognised as a dependable workhorse, and this latest model builds on that legacy by offering improved technology, greater versatility and enhanced productivity.

“We are confident it will continue to support businesses across multiple sectors while delivering the premium quality and durability that customers expect from Mercedes-Benz.”

The Atego has established a global reputation as one of Mercedes-Benz’s most versatile medium-duty trucks, offering a balance of strength, efficiency and flexibility across diverse transport applications.

The Atego 1726 builds on that reputation by providing fleet operators with a vehicle capable of adapting to changing business needs while helping to improve productivity and control lifetime operating costs.

Weststar has also backed the new truck with after-sales support through its nationwide network, providing access to genuine spare parts, technical expertise and fleet support throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle.

The Atego 1726 is now available through Weststar Associates and its authorised commercial vehicle dealership network nationwide.

Customers can contact Weststar’s Commercial Vehicles team or visit an authorised dealership for product specifications, pricing and fleet consultation.

WMotors takes Jetour Africa Expedition to Lagos, Puts SUVs to Off-Road Test

WMotors, an official distributor of Jetour vehicles in Nigeria, has taken the 2026 Jetour Africa Expedition to Lagos, putting eight T1, T2 and G700 SUVs through a 128km journey that combined city driving, lifestyle experiences and a demanding off-road challenge.
It stated in a statement obtained on Tuesday that it used the Expedition to project Nigeria positively to the world.

It recalled that the Pan-African lifestyle and adventure initiative, created to celebrate exploration, mobility, community and the spirit of adventure, commenced in Egypt on July 19, 2026.
It is said to involve 12 African countries, with each participating market contributing its unique experience to the continental journey.

Taking advantage of favourable weather on Sunday, August 9, Jetour WMotors said it flagged off the Lagos expedition in front of its showroom on Adeyemi Alakija Street, Victoria Island, taking participants through Lekki Market, the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, Freedom Park, the National Theatre, Ahmadu Bello Way, Third Mainland Bridge and the Ikorodu off-road circuit.

The highpoint was the performance-focused off-road challenge at a location near Ikorodu, where the Jetour vehicles were subjected to challenging terrains, steep slopes, bumps and uneven surfaces.

The demanding conditions provided a real-world test of the vehicles’ power, control, durability and four-wheel-drive capability, allowing participants to witness firsthand the ability of the T1, T2 and G700 to defy different terrains while maintaining the adventure and performance attributes for which the brand is known.

Managing Director of Jetour WMotors, Mr Tony Jamal, said the expedition was designed to showcase the capability, safety, luxury and adventure features of the brand while demonstrating the strength of the Nigerian automotive market.

Jamal said the carefully selected routes were intended not only to demonstrate the versatility of the Jetour vehicles but also to showcase different aspects of Lagos and project Nigeria to the rest of the world.

He said the off-road experience was particularly important because it allowed the appropriate Jetour 4×4 models to demonstrate their capabilities under demanding conditions.

“We also showcased the capacity of Jetour, with the off-road experience of the 4×4 models. They have a 2.0 (turbocharged) engine with Euro 6, that is the most advanced engine, low fuel consumption and high torque. It shows us what Jetour can do,” he said.

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Beyond showcasing vehicles, Jetour WMotors said it used the expedition to demonstrate its commitment to humanity and community service.

As the convoy moved along the selected routes, the participants distributed road safety awareness materials to drivers and other stakeholders, while hydration was provided to members of the public, including motorists, by Bigi Premium Drinking Water, it added.

Earlier, participants had taken part in a high-energy fitness and mobility warm-up session inside the Jetour showroom, conducted by professional trainers from I-Fitness, while Frootaz took care of refreshments.

Giving more insight into the event, Jamal explained that the expedition also provided an opportunity to demonstrate to Jetour manufacturers in China that Nigeria is a significant market for the brand.

“Jetour is all over Nigeria now. We have a big trust and we have to thank God that Jetour trusts us as an official distributor. The people appreciate our services and our vehicles come directly from the factory (and not made for other markets),” he said.

He disclosed that Jetour China appointed WMotors as its official distributor in Nigeria, giving the company the mandate to organise the expedition locally.

Looking ahead, Jamal said the 2027 edition would be bigger, extend beyond Africa and feature participants from China, with greater emphasis on off-road driving and the introduction of new Jetour models.

“It will be a bigger event in 2027 and it will be more than Africa. We are preparing and people will come from China, especially for the off-road experience. Next year, we will also have new models and it will be shown in Jetour WMotors showrooms.”

Peace of Mind Through Robust After-Sales 7-Year Warranty

Beyond the vehicles’ aesthetics, safety, luxury and performance, Jamal reaffirmed Jetour WMotors’ commitment to strong after-sales support, including a seven-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, which is currently the most far-reaching auto sales backup package in Nigeria’s auto market.

The firm said the expedition provided the opportunity to give customers greater peace of mind through its industry-leading seven-year warranty with unlimited mileage on all models, backed by a robust after-sales package.

WMotors takes Jetour Africa Expedition to Lagos, Puts SUVs to Off-Road Test

Omoda, Jaecoo Shake Global Auto Market, Hit One Million Sales in Three Years

Chinese automotive brands Omoda and Jaecoo are rapidly reshaping the global automobile industry, posting remarkable sales growth and displacing long-established competitors in key markets barely three years after their debut.

Owned by Chinese auto giant Chery, the sister brands have emerged as two of the world’s fastest-growing vehicle marques, recording more than one million cumulative sales across 64 countries by April 2026 while making significant inroads into mature markets traditionally dominated by legacy manufacturers.

Their most striking success has come in the United Kingdom, one of Europe’s most competitive and brand-conscious automotive markets. After entering the UK in 2024, the brands recorded 48,087 new vehicle registrations in 2025, accounting for 2.38 per cent of the market.

The performance placed Omoda and Jaecoo ahead of several long-established manufacturers that have spent decades building customer loyalty in the country.

Driving much of the momentum is the Jaecoo 7 SUV, which finished 2025 as the UK’s fourth most popular retail vehicle before going on to become the country’s best-selling new car in March 2026. It has also ranked as the UK’s third best-selling new car so far in 2026.

Within just 19 months of launching in Britain, the two brands had surpassed 80,000 cumulative vehicle sales, underlining their rapid acceptance among consumers.

Their success extends well beyond the UK.

In Europe, Omoda and Jaecoo sold more than 340,000 vehicles in less than two years by June 2026, earning recognition from industry observers as the continent’s fastest-growing automotive brands.

Australia has witnessed a similar trend. Barely a year after their launch in May 2025, the brands crossed the 10,000-unit sales mark, while the Jaecoo J5 emerged as the country’s best-selling small electric SUV in May 2026.

The brands have also recorded notable achievements in Asia and South America. In Thailand, the Jaecoo J5 topped the country’s electric vehicle sales rankings for six consecutive months, while in Brazil, the Jaecoo 7 Hybrid was named the country’s “Hybrid of the Year.”

Industry analysts attribute the brands’ rapid rise to a combination of striking design, advanced technology, generous standard features and competitive pricing that offers consumers strong value compared with many established rivals.

Safety credentials have also strengthened consumer confidence. Both the Jaecoo 7 and the Omoda 5 have earned five-star ratings from Euro NCAP, Europe’s independent vehicle safety assessment authority, helping to reassure buyers who may be unfamiliar with the brands.

Although many traditional manufacturers still enjoy stronger heritage and decades of brand recognition, industry observers say buying decisions are increasingly being driven by value, technology, design and safety rather than brand familiarity alone.

That shift has created opportunities for newer entrants such as Omoda and Jaecoo, whose rapid global expansion suggests that the automotive landscape is undergoing a significant transformation.

For emerging markets such as Nigeria, where Chinese automobile brands are steadily gaining acceptance, the performance of Omoda and Jaecoo offers another indication of the growing influence of Chinese manufacturers in the global automotive industry.