Changan CS55 edges Toyota Corolla, Kia Rio to win Nigeria’s car of the year

Changan CS55 edges Toyota Corolla, Kia Rio to win Nigeria’s car of the year

• NAJA celebrates auto industry players creativity amid economic hardship

A compact crossover SUV (sport utility vehicle), Changan CS55, has been named Nigeria’s new Car of the Year, edging out two other competitors, Toyota Corolla and Kia Rio, nominated for the coveted 2024 award.

Nigeria Auto Journalists’ Association (NAJA) gave this verdict at an elaborate award ceremony held on Wednesday night in Lagos.

It is the first time any Changan automobile product would be winning Nigeria’s car-of-the-year award.

Changan vehicles are being marketed and assembled in Nigeria by Mikano Motors.

Last year, Honda HR-V, a Japanese product also being assembled in Nigeria, won the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association’s Car of the Year award.

Both Toyota Corola and Kia Rio are past winners of the Nigeria’s car-of-the-year prize.

The current champion, Changan CS55, is more than a crossover; it is stylish and versatile and has been making waves in the automotive industry, according to NAJA, the organisers of the annual Nigeria’s auto awards.

The Changan CS55 powered by a 1.5L turbocharged engine, producing 178 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque has a fuel economy of 27 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.

Other big winners at the awards night are Toyota (Nigeria) Limited emerging as Auto Company of the Decade; CIG Motors was adjudged Auto Company of the Year, while the award for the Most Resilient Company of the Year went to Globe Motors.

Coscharis Motors took home the Multi-Luxury Brand of the Year award and the Luxury SUV of the Year through the Range Rover Autobiography.

While the founder and late Chairman of Lanre Shittu Motors, Alhaji Olarenwaju Shittu, was honoured with a Posthumous Award, his son and current managing director of the company, Mr Taiwo Shittu, was named the Auto Personality of the Year. The company also won the Heavy Duty Truck of the Year through the JAC truck, which it markets and assembles.

Product launches of year are Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (Toyota By CFAO ), Toyota Belta and Rumion (Toyota Nigeria), Nord A9 (Nord Automibiles), Chery Tiggo 8 Pro (Carloha) and Suzuki Vitara (Suzuki By CFAO).

The award for the Transport Icon of the Year was given to Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, MFR (founder of Chisco Transport).

Mrs Karima Okunola (Mikano Motors) received the Auto Marketing Manager of the Year.

Other winners are Heavy-duty Truck manufacturer of the Year – Sinotruk by Dangote; Car Assembly Plant of the Year – Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing; Minibus Assembler of the year – Jet Systems; Luxury Brand of the Year – Mercedes Benz; Luxury Car of the Year- Mercedes Benz S-Class; Workshop of the Year – R.T Briscoe, and Compact SUV of the Year – Kia Sonet.

The prize of the Most Innovative Auto Company of the Year went to Carloha (Chery); CNG-powered Mini Bus brand of the Year- Nord; Transport Company of the Year- Chisco; Mid-size SUV of the Year- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado; and Most Enterprising Auto Company of the Year- CFAO Mobility.

Toyota Hiace was named the minibus of the Year; the Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year – Jetour; Luxury Coach of the Year – Yutong; Outstanding After-sales Service of the Year – Massilia.

Auto Industry Consultant, Dr. Oscar Odiboh in a chat with journalists after the awards commended NAJA for increasing more awareness about vehicles and making automobile buyers more discerning.

He said, “There is more awareness now about cars. Auto journalists are deeper now. Look at what they read about the Car of the Year. This is the first time details about the Car of the Year would be available like this. Now we talk about the transmission, the clutch, and everything that a car owner wants to know.”