Jetour Dashing Claims NAJA 2025 Car of the Year as Industry Stars Shine in Lagos (with photos)

Jetour Dashing Claims NAJA 2025 Car of the Year as Industry Stars Shine in Lagos (with photos)

 

Jetour Dashing has been named Nigeria’s 2025 Car of the Year by the Nigeria Auto Journalists’ Association (NAJA), emerging tops after a closely fought assessment of leading vehicles competing in the market.

The announcement was made on Tuesday night at the 18th NAJA International Auto Awards held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The tech-focused compact crossover SUV edged out strong rivals, including the Changan CS55 and Chery Tiggo, to secure the industry’s most coveted title.

With the honour, Jetour Dashing joins an exclusive list of past winners such as the Changan CS55, Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla and Kia Rio, further affirming its growing acceptance among Nigerian consumers and industry stakeholders.

Beyond the Car of the Year category, the awards celebrated excellence across the automotive value chain. Mikano was named Auto Company of the Year, while Toyota Nigeria’s Isolo facility won Workshop of the Year.

Dangote Sinotruk clinched Heavy-Duty Truck Brand of the Year, Iron Products Industries (IPI) Ltd emerged Truck Assembler/Body Builder of the Year, Lanre Shittu Motors (JAC) won Truck Plant of the Year, and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) was named Passenger Car Assembly Plant of the Year.

In the alternative energy segment, Saglev emerged EV Brand of the Year, while Jet Automobiles Ltd was recognised as CNG Vehicle Assembler of the Year. Massilia Motors (Mitsubishi) won Most Innovative Auto Company of the Year, and Suzuki by CFAO was named the Most Competitive Priced Brand of the Year.

Model-based awards saw the Mercedes-Benz S-Class win Luxury Car of the Year, Range Rover Autobiography (Coscharis Motors) clinch Luxury SUV of the Year, Kia Seltos take Compact SUV of the Year, and Changan CS55 (Mikano Motors) emerge Midsize SUV of the Year.

Toyota Hilux was named Pick-Up of the Year, Toyota Hiace won Minibus of the Year, while the Mercedes-Benz E-Class emerged Most Popular Luxury Model of the Year.

Corporate resilience was also recognised, with Stallion Motors, R.T. Briscoe Nigeria Plc and ANAMMCO Ltd honoured as Resilient Auto Companies of the Year. Coscharis Motors won Multiple Brand Auto Company of the Year, CFAO Mobility emerged Most Enterprising Auto Company of the Year, and GUO Transport Ltd was named Transport Company of the Year.

Several brands were honoured as New Entrants of the Year, including New Era Automobile Services, JIM–ISUZU Pick-Up (Cedric Autos Ltd), JEGO EV, NORD A9 and Jetour X50, reflecting the increasing vibrancy of Nigeria’s auto market. NORD Automobiles also emerged Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year.

In aftersales and services, Carloha won both Auto Aftersales Company of the Year and Pre-owned Company of the Year, while Winpart clinched Auto Aftersales Service Provider of the Year (Parts & Workshop).

Individual honours featured prominently, with Oluwatobi Ajayi, Chairman/CEO of NORD Automobiles, named Auto Personality of the Year (Private Sector), while Otunba Joseph Osanipin, Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), won Auto Personality of the Year (Public Sector). Ifeanyi Agwu, Managing Director/CEO of BKG Exhibitions Ltd, was honoured as Auto Show Promoter of the Decade, and Sonu Singh of Stallion Motors emerged Marketing/Media Manager of the Year.

Speaking at the event, NADDC Director General Joseph Osanipin praised NAJA for sustaining a credible platform that promotes excellence, innovation and professionalism in the automotive industry, noting that auto journalists play a vital role in shaping public understanding and industry accountability.

In his welcome address, NAJA Chairman, Mr. Theodore Opara, described the awards as one of the sector’s most respected platforms, adding that the initiative has remained relevant over 18 years despite rapid technological and policy changes.

The 2025 NAJA International Auto Awards once again underscored its role as a key benchmark for recognising progress, resilience and innovation within Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem.