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.

Expectations High as 2025 NAJA Awards Hold Tuesday December 16 in Lagos

All is set for the 2025 Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Awards, scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

Widely regarded within the motoring community as the “Oscars” of Nigeria’s automotive industry, the annual ceremony will bring together leading auto brands, regulators, distributors, innovators and mobility stakeholders for an evening of recognition and industry reflection.

Three finalists shortlisted for the 2025 Car-of-the-Year award are Changan CS55, Jetour Dashing, and Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, all Chinese products, signaling a strong rise for the Chinese brands in the country.

Speaking ahead of the event, Chairman of the NAJA Awards Organising Committee, Frank Kintum, described the 2025 edition as “a defining moment for Nigeria’s auto industry,” noting that competition this year is among the strongest in recent times.

“The industry has seen notable shifts over the past year—from the growth of electric mobility to new product launches and deeper investment in after-sales service. This year’s awards will reflect those milestones and honour the individuals and organisations driving the change,” Kintum said in a statement.

He stressed that beyond celebrating winners, the awards provide a platform for engagement, idea exchange and spotlighting innovations shaping mobility in Nigeria.

High-profile dignitaries expected at the event include the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, and the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin.

Organisers say their presence underscores the event’s growing relevance to national road safety, automotive policy and the future of local vehicle manufacturing.

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• Expectations High as 2025 NAJA Awards Hold Tuesday December 16 in Lagos

“The participation of FRSC and NADDC leadership reinforces our shared commitment to safer roads, stronger regulation and the growth of Nigeria’s domestic auto industry,” Kintum added.

Senior executives from major automotive and mobility companies have also confirmed attendance. They include Toyota Nigeria, Coscharis Motors, Weststar Associates (Mercedes-Benz), Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), Carloha Nigeria, Briscoe Motors, Jet Systems, SAGLEV Electric Vehicles, Stallion Group, Industrial Project International (IPI), Dangote Sinotruk West Africa, Jetour Auto, GUO Motors, CEDRIC and JeGo Electric Mobility, among others.

This year’s awards will recognise excellence across key performance areas such as innovation, customer service, vehicle safety, sustainable mobility, commercial vehicle leadership, after-sales service and local manufacturing.

Electric vehicle manufacturers and mobility technology startups—among the fastest-growing segments of the industry—are also expected to feature prominently as Nigeria gradually shifts toward cleaner, technology-driven transport solutions.

According to Kintum, the fierce competition among brands reflects an auto market increasingly shaped by new mobility technologies, expanding local assembly and rising customer expectations.

NAJA Chairman, Theodore Opara noted that the awards had become an important benchmark for industry performance.

“The NAJA Awards continue to spotlight best practices and raise standards across the sector, pushing brands to improve on safety, service delivery, technology and customer satisfaction,” he said.

As stakeholders converge on Lagos, the 2025 NAJA Awards are expected to go beyond honours and trophies—serving as a key platform for networking, policy dialogue and partnerships that could help shape the future of Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem.

Auto journalists, policymakers, brand executives and mobility entrepreneurs are expected at the ceremony, reinforcing its status as the country’s most prestigious annual gathering for the automotive industry.

Expectations High as 2025 NAJA Awards Hold Tuesday December 16 in Lagos

NADDC, FRSC Chiefs headline high-stake 2025 NAJA Auto Awards

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), Shehu Mohammed, have confirmed their attendance at the 2025 Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) International Auto Awards scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Their participation reinforces the rising influence of the NAJA Awards—widely regarded as the country’s most credible platform for recognising excellence, innovation, and leadership in the automotive industry.

Osanipin, a key advocate for strengthened local assembly and accelerated electric mobility adoption, is expected to interact with stakeholders and share insights on the NADDC’s long-term industry roadmap. Earlier at the Abuja International Motor Fair, he assured a NAJA delegation led by Chairman Theodore Opara that he would not only attend but actively participate in the ceremony.

FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed also confirmed his presence through a message to Opara, expressing enthusiasm about engaging industry leaders and pushing ongoing national road-safety campaigns.

This year’s event will bring together automakers, distributors, policymakers, and mobility experts at a time when Nigeria’s automotive landscape is being reshaped by new technologies, sustainability imperatives, and shifting regulatory frameworks.

Chairman of the Award Planning Committee, Frank Kintum, said preparations were in top gear to sustain the event’s reputation as Nigeria’s “industry gold standard.”

“The NAJA Awards remain the benchmark for honouring brands, organisations, and individuals who consistently demonstrate innovation, integrity and excellence in advancing Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem. This edition will spotlight strides in local manufacturing, green mobility and policy development,” he said.

NAJA Chairman Opara added that the awards mirror the Federal Government’s industrialisation push.

“As the sector evolves, NAJA is committed to initiatives that promote sustainable growth,” he said. “We are especially pleased to have the NADDC as a central partner this year, given its strategic role in policy formulation and innovation.”

Meanwhile, anticipation is already mounting around the 2025 Nigeria Car-of-the-Year category, where three Chinese brands—Changan, Jetour and Chery—have emerged as unexpected frontrunners. Their shortlisted models—the Changan CS55, Jetour Dashing and Chery Tiggo 8—reflect the shifting dynamics of Nigeria’s highly competitive auto market.

“For the first time, Chinese manufacturers are not just competing; they are leading,” Opara said while unveiling the finalists. “The quality, technology and market acceptance shown by these brands demonstrate how quickly the industry is evolving.”

He noted that the committee emphasised innovation, durability, and suitability for Nigerian roads in selecting the finalists.

While the Car-of-the-Year contenders have been revealed, nominees in other categories—including local assembly, electrification, aftersales service, heavy-duty trucks, transport service and luxury mobility—will be announced in the coming days.

Kintum said the committee is “raising the bar again this year,” with the 2025 edition expected to reflect more advancements in electric vehicle rollout and expanded local assembly operations.

With top government officials, industry leaders and global automotive brands already confirmed, the 2025 NAJA Awards is shaping up to be one of the most defining editions in the event’s history.