Changan, Jetour, Chery set for showdown in Nigeria’s Car-of-the-year race

Changan, Jetour, Chery set for showdown in Nigeria’s Car-of-the-year race

 

Nigeria’s auto market is set for a blockbuster duel as three Chinese giants — Changan, Jetour and Chery — go wheel-to-wheel for the highly coveted 2025 Nigeria Car-of-the-Year crown.

For an industry once dominated by Japanese, European badges and later Korean brands, the emergence of these finalists marks nothing short of a seismic shift.

Unveiled on Thursday by the Nigeria Auto Journalists’ Association (NAJA), the contenders — Changan CS55, Jetour Dashing, and Chery Tiggo 8 — are already stirring excitement as the competition enters its most unpredictable year yet.

The CS55, which shocked the establishment last year after outgunning global favourites such as the Toyota Corolla and Kia Rio, returns as the defending champion, hungry for a repeat victory.

But industry watchers warn that the 2025 battle may be the toughest yet, with both Jetour Dashing and Chery Tiggo 8 enjoying surging popularity among Nigerian motorists seduced by their blend of tech, design and affordability.

 

The climax comes on December 16, 2025, when the glittering Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, hosts what many insiders describe as “Nigeria’s Oscars of the auto industry” — a gathering of government leaders, CEOs, mobility innovators and the country’s top motoring journalists.

Speaking on the seismic shift unfolding in the sector, NAJA Chairman Theodore Opara said the 2025 shortlist captures the moment Nigeria’s automotive story takes a dramatic turn.

“For the first time, Chinese manufacturers are not only competing — they’re leading the pack,” he said. “The quality, technology and rising acceptance of these three brands show just how fast the market is transforming.”

He explained that the committee placed strong emphasis on vehicles that combine innovation, durability and suitability for Nigeria’s rugged roads — qualities all three finalists have demonstrated.

 

More Categories Still Under Wraps

While excitement builds around the flagship category, NAJA has yet to release the full list of nominees for other segments, including vehicle assembly, electrification, aftersales, heavy-duty trucks, transport services and luxury mobility. Those nominations are expected to drop in the coming days.

 

‘We’re Raising the Bar Again’ — Awards Committee

Frank Kintum, Chairman of the Award Planning Committee, assured that preparations are in “top gear” and that this year’s event will strengthen NAJA’s long-standing reputation for integrity in a fast-expanding auto space.

“From electric vehicles to renewed interest in local assembly, the industry is evolving rapidly. Our awards must reflect this new reality,” Kintum said.

 

Top Dignitaries Set to Attend

NAJA also confirmed that the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Chief Joseph Oluwemimo Osanipin, and the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) will grace the occasion as Special Guests of Honour.

Osanipin is expected to spotlight Nigeria’s push for deeper local assembly and EV integration, while the FRSC boss will reiterate growing concerns — and expectations — around road safety in an industry experiencing rapid expansion.

As the countdown begins, one thing is certain: the 2025 Car-of-the-Year battle is shaping up to be the most dramatic in Nigeria’s automotive history — a contest where China’s rising stars now sit firmly in the driver’s seat.