Toyota, Mikano, CFAO, others win big at 2023 NAJA Awards (Full list + photos)

Toyota, Mikano, CFAO, others win big at 2023 NAJA Awards (Full list + photos)

Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL), Mikano Motors and CFAO Motors are some of the auto companies that recorded big wins at the 2023 Nigerian Auto Journalists Association (NAJA).

The event held at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos State, on Thursday saw the three auto firms carting home the biggest number of awards, winning between three and four each.

Toyota Hilux and Hiace won the pickup of the year and minibus of the year respectively. Toyota Land Cruiser also clinched the Large SUV of the year.

 

Mikano showroom in Victoria Island Lagos was adjusted the best car showroom of the year.

Mikano Motors was also declared the most innovative auto company. Its Changan Uni-K and Changan CS35 received the most outstanding auto design and compact SUV awards respectively.

CFAO Group won four awards with the best customer service going to Massilia Motors; Suzuki S-Presso winning the Budget Car of the Year; Mitsubishi Outlander taking the best in E-Commercial Advert.

Aissatou Diof of Suzuki By CFAO was named the General Manager of the year.

Lanre Shittu Motors and Jet Systems won two awards each. While LSM got the Truck Plant of the Year and Heavy Duty Truck best (JAC), Jet Lander pickup and Jet Mover got the honours for Jet Systems.

Nord was recognised as the Enterprising Indigenous car company of the Year 2023.

The awards were presented to the companies at a colourful ceremony attended by key stakeholders including the Director General of National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr Joseph Osanipin and Managing Director of TNL, Kunle Ade-Ojo.

At the award night, JAC by Lanre Shittu Motors also won the Heavy Duty Truck of the Year, while Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing won the Assembly Plant of the Year awards.

Weststar Associates Limited, authorised general distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria, won the Luxury Brand of the Year, while Auto Workshop of the Year went to RT Briscoe.

At the event, Osanipin challenged key players in the Nigerian automotive industry to think more about automotive components development and integration in assembly operations.

He said, “Today we are here to celebrate however we need to challenge ourselves with the future of the Nigeria automotive industry.

“We need to take the necessary steps to make these changes. It starts with us; we are the ones to determine where the automotive sector will be heading in Nigeria.”

Osanipin seized the opportunity to applaud NAJA for standing firm in promoting the local auto industry.

He however challenged the organisers to consider components manufacturers in future NAJA award projects.

Over 29 persons and companies who have distinguished themselves in the industry were specially recognised and honoured in different award categories.

See the list below:

2023 NAJA AWARD WINNERS

1) Budget Car of the Year
Winner: Suzuki S-Presso

2) Auto Design of the Year
Winner: Changan Uni-K

3. Heavy Duty Truck of the Year
Winner: JAC by Lanre Shittu Motors

4) Assembly Plant of the Year
Winner: Innoson

5) Luxury Brand of the Year: Mercedes-Benz

6) Auto Workshop of the Year
Winner: RT Briscoe

7) Large SUV Of The Year
Winner: Toyota Land Cruiser

8) Luxury SUV of the Year
Winner: Range Rover Autobiography)

9) Pick Up Of The Year
Winner: Toyota Hilux

10) Most Innovative Auto Company: Mikano

11) Truck Plant Of The Year: Lanre Shittu (JAC plant)

12) Online Auto Finance facilitator: Autochek

13) Minibus of the Year: Winner: Toyota Hiace

14) Most Resilient Auto Company – Recognition

A) Stallion Motors
B) Coscharis Motors

15) Transport Company of the Year: GUO

16) Auto Showroom of the Year: Mikano

17) Enterprising Indigenous car company of the Year
NORD

18) New Entrant Auto Company/Model
1) Jetour
2) Toyota By CFAO
3) Ford Territory
4) Jet Lander

19) Compact SUV of the Year
Joint winners are:
A) Changan CS35
B) Kia Sonet

20) Indigenous Passenger Bus of the Year
Jet Mover

21) Multi Brand Auto Workshop of the Year
Fixit 45

22) Outstanding E-Commercial Advert of the Year:
Mitsubishi Outlander

23) Outstanding Print Auto Advert of the Year:
JETOUR

24) Outstanding Auto Customer Service of the Year
Massilia Motors

25) Luxury Car of the Year
Mercedes-Benz S-Class

26. Outstanding Comeback if the Year
Chery By Carloha

PERSONALITY RECOGNITIONS

26) Outstanding GM of the Year Suzuki – Aissatou Diouf, GM Suzuki By CFAO

27) Autogas vehicle promoter of the year
NGEP Chairman Dr Mohammed Ibrahim

28) Auto Personality Of The Year
Chief Innocent Chukwuma (Founder/Chairman of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing)

29) CAR OF THE YEAR
Honda HR-V