Toyota, Mikano, CFAO, others celebrate as GAC GS4 wins Nigeria’s car of the year (with photos)

Thursday night February 09 presented a glorious moment for many stakeholders in the Nigerian auto sector as they gathered at the prestigious Oriental Hotel, Lagos, to celebrate the brands they represent.

The event was the 2022 edition of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Award and launch of the 11th Nigeria Auto Journal. It was one of the few biggest industry events in the country in the last one year.

GAC, Toyota, Mercedes Benz, and JAC are among various auto brands that won awards at the event.

Other big winners at the award night are Lanre Shittu Motors, CFAO Motors, Mikano, R.T. Briscoe, Elizade Autoland, Innoson, Stallion Motors, Cosharis, Jet Systems, Autochek and Kewalram Nigeria.

Over thirty awards were given in various categories during the event.

GAC GS4 carted home the coveted Car-of-the-Year crown, defeating the Suzuki S-Presso and Geely Coolray in the keenly contested competition.

Also, Mercedes Benz brand marketed by Weststar Associates Ltd in Nigeria, emerged as the Luxury Brand of the Year, defeating BMW and Porsche, while Toyota Land Cruiser emerged as the SUV of the Year and Range Rover (Autobiography) clinched the Luxury SUV of the Year trophy respectively.

Toyota Hilux emerged the Pickup of the Year, defeating Mitsubishi L200 and Ford Range. Toyota also won the minibus-of-the-year award.

The Chinese bus of the year award went to Foton View C2 being handled in Nigeria by Kewalram Nigeria.

Suzuki S-Presso picked the Budget Car of the Year, and JAC J7 going home with the outstanding auto design vehicle of the Year.

Lanre Shittu’s JAC truck plant was adjudged the Truck plant of the Year. It also won the Large Truck of the Year while Innoson Motors bagged the Assembly Plant of the Year award.

Mikano’s showroom on Victoria Island Lagos won the Showroom of the Year.

Stallion’s Bajaj was declared the three-wheeler of the year. The firm waa also named multi-brand assembler of the year.

Jet System received the electric auto company of the year; Micking emerged oil brand of the year; Nord won the best innovative auto company award, Autochek was celebrated as best in online auto finance and marketing.

The duo of R.T. Briscoe and Mandilas Motors were honoured as the most resilient auto companies.

Dangote’s Peugeot also got the most resilient auto brand.

GUO Transport emerged as the transport company of the year.

As part of their contributions to the development of Nigeria’s auto industry, the Seyi Onajide, MD of RT Briscoe and Kunle Jaiyesimi, DMD of CFAO Motors were honoured with the auto Personality of the Year awards.

Also, the late Chairman of Globe Motors, Willie Anumudu, and the Late Vice President of Coscharis Group, Mrs. Charity Maduka, were given posthumous awards for supporting growth of Nigeria’s auto industry.

Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of NAJA, Mike Ochonma, said the awards recognized stellar performance of auto brands, plants and personalities creating value in the sector based on the criteria including brand value, market leadership and business strategy against their peers in the past year under review.

He said all winners were selected for their impressive performance in Nigeria auto industry despite a challenging macro-economic environment in the past year under review.

Commenting on the award, DMD, CFAO Motors, Jaiyesimi, commended NAJA for its consistency over the years, noting that the recognition by NAJA was an indication that great work does not go unnoticed.

Speaking on the award for CFAO, Jaiyesimi said, “It is gratifying that our many years of commitment and mindful service, with our clients’ needs at heart, are still yielding great results.

“We are deeply honoured to receive this award. To be recognized by NAJA, an umbrella body for auto journalists in Nigeria, is a fulfilling achievement for us. This award is about defining our role towards creating value for our employees, customers, shareholders, communities and the society at large.”

Public Relations/Advert Manager, Toyota Nigeria Limited (middle) Bulky Ogunnusi,  flanked on the left by Theodore Opara, former chairman of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association, and Julie Chi-Nwaoha, former vice chairman of NAJA, after receiving the ‘Luxury SUV Of The Year’ award won by the Toyota Land Cruiser at the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association awards held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos on February 09, 2023.

L-R: Victor Oguamalam, MD, Globe Motors; Oluwatobi Ajayi, CEO, Nord Automobiles; Ralph Alder, MD, Mikano Motors; Jubril Arogundade, GM, Sales/Marketing, and Cosmas Maduka Jnr, Executive Director, Special Duties & After-sales, Coscharis Motors, at the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association Awards held February 9th, 2023 in Lagos.