BBA Motors unveils Zeekr 9X in Lagos, delivers first unit to D’banj

BBA Motors unveils Zeekr 9X in Lagos, delivers first unit to D’banj

 

Nigeria’s luxury automobile market witnessed a major shift on Friday as BBA Motors ushered in a new era of electric mobility with the unveiling of the Zeekr 9X in Lagos — the first time the premium electric SUV is appearing anywhere in Africa.

The high-profile launch, held at the company’s newly opened intelligent flagship showroom, signalled the arrival of a new generation of high-end electric vehicles in Nigeria’s fast-evolving automobile landscape.

Adding glamour to the event, the first Zeekr 9X delivered in Nigeria was handed over to Nigerian music icon D’banj, symbolising the formal entry of the luxury electric SUV into the country’s growing premium mobility segment.

The unveiling attracted a diverse audience of business leaders, financial and leasing executives, ride-hailing partners and notable guests, including development economist Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka.

BBA Motors said the launch not only introduces cutting-edge electric mobility to Nigeria but also positions the country as a strategic gateway for advanced new-energy vehicles in West Africa while strengthening automotive trade ties between Africa and Asia.

Speaking at the event, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BBA Motors, Rebecca Jia, described the showroom opening and Zeekr 9X debut as a significant milestone in the company’s expansion strategy in Nigeria.

“In the Nigerian market, our core mission is to bring world-class Chinese automotive products and thoughtful localized services to local users,” Jia said.

“The debut and first delivery of the Zeekr 9X is a key move for us to enter the high-end new-energy vehicle segment and expand our product offerings.”

She added that the company plans to offer Nigerians a wide range of mobility solutions — from everyday commuter vehicles to luxury models — while supporting fleet procurement, leasing and maintenance services for corporate organisations and ride-hailing platforms.

The Zeekr marque is a premium electric vehicle brand under Geely Holding Group and has gained global recognition for its advanced battery technology and intelligent driving systems.

At the Lagos unveiling, product specialists said the Zeekr 9X had been specially optimised for African conditions, including Nigeria’s rugged road terrain and high-temperature climate.

The all-electric SUV features a high-capacity ternary lithium battery capable of delivering up to 560 kilometres of pure electric driving range and a combined range of about 1,250 kilometres. With ultra-fast charging technology, the battery can charge from 30 to 80 per cent in about 28 minutes.

Engineers also equipped the vehicle with a dual-motor intelligent all-wheel-drive system producing 310 kW of power and 680 Nm of torque, enabling acceleration from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in just over four seconds.

To handle Nigeria’s varied road conditions, the SUV comes with reinforced chassis architecture and a ground clearance of 185 millimetres, allowing it to navigate both urban roads and rougher terrain.

Inside, the Zeekr 9X offers a luxury cabin fitted with Nappa leather aviation-grade seats, panoramic digital displays, and a multi-screen intelligent cockpit powered by an AI-driven voice interaction system.

The vehicle also features advanced driver assistance technology, including adaptive cruise control, lane centring, automatic parking assist, blind-spot monitoring and 360-degree panoramic imaging.

At the highlight of the ceremony, Jia handed the keys of the first Zeekr 9X delivered in Nigeria to D’banj, who said the vehicle’s technology and the company’s localized support services influenced his decision.

Industry observers say the launch could signal the early expansion of premium electric vehicles in Nigeria, where interest in sustainable mobility solutions is gradually rising alongside the growth of the country’s high-end automotive segment.

BBA Motors, which focuses on the import and distribution of China-manufactured vehicles, said it plans to expand its service network nationwide while introducing more electric and hybrid models tailored to African markets.

The company added that the Lagos showroom will serve as a hub for sales, after-sales service, fleet solutions and ride-hailing partnerships as it seeks to position itself as a leading gateway for new-energy vehicles in Nigeria.