Auto
Isuzu president visits Nigeria, speaks on how to stimulate auto industry, new products
Isuzu president visits Nigeria, speaks on how to stimulate auto industry, new products
President of Isuzu Motors International FZE, Dubai, Mr. Mansoor Ahmed, was in Nigeria last week to assess the automaker’s business performance and how to boost it.
He canvassed more government support for local automakers and other investors in the automobile sector to stimulate economic growth.
According to him, automobile plays a vital role in the industrial development of a nation that will lead to massive job creation for the teeming youth population.
Ahmed spoke in Lagos on Thursday during the visit of the Isuzu executives’ team to the brand’s representative in Nigeria, Koncept Autocentre Limited, a Kewalram Chanrai group company.
The team including Geoffrey Mulandi, Isuzu Deputy Vice President and Sales Head for Sub-Saharan Africa; and Jijo Thomas, Country Head, Nigeria, were received by the Managing Director, Kewalram Chanrai Auto/Transport Vertical, Mr. Anil Sahgal.
Ahmed said for Nigeria to play well under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, he stressed that auto component tier 1, 2 and 3 producers should be encouraged to set up factories to produce various components like tyres, batteries, suspension and trims to get the required 30 per cent local content for auto assemblers to feed other West African nations.
The Isuzu president said, “Government needs to encourage manufacturers to come into the industry.
“There is a need for minimum viable scale to be able to manufacture locally else the business will lose money and will not be sustainable.
“It is about providing the enabling auto policy/structure or law for incentivizing local manufacturers. To motivate investors there should be preferential treatment vs imports on local manufactured vehicles.
He said Isuzu was focusing on Africa because the continent is rightfully considered as the last frontier of global growth.
He described Nigeria as the epicentre of the growth in Western Africa with the country’s huge population and size of its economy, the biggest in Africa.
Ahmed said, “For us, the strategic area for growth is the Middle East and Africa.
“Nigeria’s latent potential is enormous. It is a country with enormous resources, natural and human. It is blessed with oil and has a basket of multiple products in terms of what it has to export.
“Its huge population is also an advantage with the ensuing demographic dividend. Economic growth is based on population and consumption on the demand side.
“The country has a connected aspiring and entrepreneurial young population, a clear demographic advantage.”
Even as he affirmed that Isuzu was doing well in the light and medium duty truck segments in Nigeria, Ahmed said there was room for expansion and it could feed other nations in West Africa.
He said, “Nigeria is the leading economy in Africa and it should be steering and leading others in the auto industry.
“How do you stimulate the industry? Truck is not easy to produce; we are talking about 6,000 to 10,000 parts. There is the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) level; there are Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3.
“Right now, a market for just 3,000 new trucks is still small size and insufficient for large investments. But with 200 million people and the economy starting to boom, it should be doing about 40,000 trucks, looking at what India is doing.”
He also shared the vision for Africa where Isuzu dreams to inspire African society to prosper thorough offering new integrated business solutions for both products and services.
He said as people’s lives are always supported by the logistics and transportation services, Isuzu has seriously been working for an enhancement of innovation in the transportation and mobility solutions to the society.
Anil, who also spoke on the brand, said Isuzu is the expert in diesel with focus on delivering top quality, reliable and durable trucks and is the global leader in the light duty and medium duty trucks.
He also commented on the government’s drive towards gas-powered vehicles in the face of rising petrol price after the removal of subsidy.
“We definitely want to support the Federal Government. But we need to have the necessary infrastructure in place like CNG filling stations sufficiently put in place to take the project far,” he said.
Mulandi in his contribution announced that the company would introduce to Nigeria, in the next one to two years, heavy duty trucks to increase Isuzu’s market share.
He also spoke on the company’s warranty and the after sales service for their customers.
“In Africa, we have standardised our warranty to three years for the light duty trucks; and two years for the medium duty. That is an indication that we care for the customers and trust our products.
According to him, “Currently, we are extending two-year or 40,000km free service including lubricants, parts and labour to all our new customers in this market.”
Auto
Massilia Motors Slashes Mitsubishi L200 Price to ₦42m for Anniversary Campaign
Massilia Motors Slashes Mitsubishi L200 Price to ₦42m for Anniversary Campaign
Massilia Motors Nigeria has unveiled a special anniversary pricing offer on the new Mitsubishi L200 pickup truck to celebrate one year of the latest model’s introduction into the Nigerian market, with prices now starting from ₦42 million.
The company, the sole authorised distributor of Mitsubishi Motors in Nigeria and a joint venture between the CFAO Group and the Chanrai Group, said the limited-time offer applies to all variants of the L200, urging prospective buyers to take advantage of the promotion while stocks last.
The latest-generation L200 entered the Nigerian market backed by strong international recognition. The pickup won the Design Car of the Year award at the 2024–2025 Japan Car of the Year Awards, earning praise for its bold “Beast Mode” styling and practical interior design. It also clinched the Best Mid-size Pickup title at the 2024 Arab Car of the Year Awards for its performance, durability and reliability.
Since its launch, the vehicle has gained acceptance among operators in key sectors of the economy, including construction, agriculture, mining and logistics, where ruggedness, payload capacity and dependable performance are critical.
Built on Mitsubishi’s long-standing expertise in pickup engineering, the L200 combines off-road capability and commercial-grade toughness with modern comfort, safety and technology features.
Massilia Motors said the pickup’s growing popularity reflects the increasing demand for versatile vehicles capable of handling Nigeria’s diverse operating conditions while meeting the expectations of both fleet operators and individual customers.
The company added that ownership of the L200 is supported by a comprehensive aftersales package, including genuine spare parts availability, certified service support and a warranty covering three years or 100,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.
Speaking on the milestone, the Managing Director of Massilia Motors Nigeria, Olivier Lamoure, said the L200 had lived up to expectations since its introduction to the market.
“One year in, the L200 has proven exactly what we believed it would — that the Nigerian market has a real appetite for a pickup truck that is built to work without compromise,” Lamoure said.
He noted that the anniversary pricing offer was designed to reward existing customers and provide an opportunity for prospective buyers to acquire the vehicle at a more attractive price.
According to him, the special pricing will only be available for the remainder of the month, making it a timely opportunity for businesses and individuals considering the pickup.
Massilia Motors provides vehicle sales, genuine parts and certified aftersales support to individual and fleet customers through its operations in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and other locations across the country.
Auto
Jetour X90 Plus Combines Power, Luxury, Family-Friendly Space in One Package
Jetour X90 Plus Combines Power, Luxury, Family-Friendly Space in one Package
As demand grows for spacious, feature-rich and value-driven SUVs in Nigeria, the Jetour X90 Plus is carving out a strong reputation as a premium family vehicle that seamlessly combines luxury, advanced safety technology and impressive performance.
Designed to meet the needs of modern families and ambitious professionals, the seven-seater SUV delivers a compelling blend of comfort, practicality and innovation, making it one of the standout contenders in Nigeria’s highly competitive mid-size SUV market.
The Jetour X90 Plus offers an appealing mix of generous cabin space, refined styling and cutting-edge technology, positioning it as a vehicle built for both daily commuting and long-distance travel.
Its growing presence in the Nigerian market is further strengthened by an extensive dealership network comprising Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era AutoVehicle Services Limited, Kojo Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, Tab Autos Limited, R. T. Briscoe Motors and Mandilas Autos, according to a statement by Jetour Nigeria Mobility Services.
The SUV’s bold exterior is defined by a prominent hexagonal grille, sleek LED headlamps and a commanding road presence that projects confidence and sophistication.
Under the hood, the X90 Plus is available with two turbocharged powertrains.
The 1.6-litre turbo engine generates 197 horsepower and 290Nm of torque, while the 2.0-litre turbocharged variant delivers a more robust 254 horsepower and 390Nm of torque.
Both engines are mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and front-wheel-drive system, ensuring responsive performance, fuel efficiency and smooth handling across varying road conditions.
Measuring 4,858mm in length, 1,925mm in width and 1,780mm in height, the SUV translates its substantial dimensions into a remarkably spacious interior.
The seven-seat cabin features premium materials, soft-touch finishes and elegant wood accents, while generous headroom and legroom across all three rows provide comfort for every occupant.
A panoramic sunroof further enhances the airy and luxurious feel of the interior.
Technology is at the heart of the driving experience, with a 12.3-inch LCD touchscreen infotainment system supporting phone mirroring, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control and wireless charging.
The climate control system is managed through a digital touchscreen interface and includes automatic rear and roof-mounted air vents, as well as an air purification function.
Occupant comfort is enhanced by power-adjustable front seats equipped with heating, ventilation, memory settings and lumbar support, while an eight-speaker Sony sound system provides a premium audio experience.
Safety remains one of the vehicle’s strongest selling points. The X90 Plus comes equipped with multiple airbags, Vehicle Stability Control, Advanced Emergency Braking, Hill-Start Assist, Hill-Descent Control, an Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Hold and a high-mounted stop lamp.
The SUV also features an array of advanced driver-assistance technologies, including a 360-degree camera with 2D and 3D viewing options, forward collision warning, parking sensors, radar monitoring and lane departure warning, all designed to improve safety and driver confidence.
Additional convenience features include smart keyless entry, push-button start, electronic gear selection, multiple drive modes, cruise control, automatic tailgate operation and advanced LED lighting systems.
Jetour Nigeria says the X90 Plus is supported by a comprehensive aftersales programme that includes warranty coverage, trained technicians and readily available spare parts, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to reliability, customer satisfaction and long-term ownership value.
Auto
Toyota Celebrates Customers, Partners as Zenith Bank Clinches Top Honour
Toyota Celebrates Customers, Partners as Zenith Bank Clinches Top Honour
Toyota (Nigeria) Limited celebrated customer loyalty, strategic partnerships and industry excellence at its 2026 Awards and Customers’ Night in Lagos, with Zenith Bank, AGL Motors and leading automotive journalists emerging among the biggest winners.
The event, which coincided with Toyota Nigeria’s 30th anniversary celebrations, attracted customers, dealers, government officials, financial institutions, media practitioners and other stakeholders who have contributed to the company’s growth over the past three decades.
A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Evergreen Customer of the Year Award to Zenith Bank Plc in recognition of its status as Toyota Nigeria’s most consistent customer over the last five years.
The award came with a brand-new Toyota Starlet Cross, presented by the company’s Chairman and founder, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo.
Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo; Chairman of TNL, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo, and MD/CEO, AGL Motors Ltd, Alhaji AbdulAfeez Gabar Lado, at the presentation of the 2025 best customer award to AGL Motors at the Toyota Awards in Lagos.
AGL Motors received recognition as Customer of the Year after recording the highest volume of Toyota vehicle purchases in 2025. The Nigerian Army and Zenith Bank finished as first and second runners-up respectively in the category, with winners receiving office equipment worth several millions of naira.
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Toyota Nigeria also used the occasion to honour members of the media for their contributions to automotive journalism and public understanding of developments in the sector. Theodore Opara of Vanguard won the Journalist of the Year Award, while Mike Ochonma of Transport World and Rasheed Bisiriyu of Newstrends emerged first and second runners-up respectively.
In his address, Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo, described the annual gathering as a celebration of the enduring relationships that have shaped the company’s success since it commenced operations in 1996.
“Tonight is a moment of reflection, celebration and renewed commitment,” he said, noting that the event underscores Toyota’s customer-first philosophy and appreciation for the loyalty and trust of its stakeholders.
According to him, Toyota Nigeria has grown into one of the country’s most trusted automotive brands through its commitment to quality products, reliable after-sales support and continuous investment in customer satisfaction.
Ade-Ojo assured customers that despite prevailing economic challenges, the company would continue to introduce initiatives aimed at making vehicle ownership easier and more accessible for Nigerians.
He also expressed appreciation to dealers, customers, suppliers, consultants, financial institutions and employees for their support over the years, describing them as critical partners in Toyota Nigeria’s journey and future growth.
Toyota Celebrates Customers, Partners as Zenith Bank Clinches Top Honour
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