Posted by Justtours News
Jetour Dashing has been crowned Nigeria’s 2025 Car-of- the-Year by the Nigeria Auto Journalists’ Association (NAJA), following a keen competition among popular models in the Nigerian market.
The car was crowned the winner on Tuesday during the 18th NAJA International Auto Awards held in Lagos with tens of automobile enthusiasts and promoters in attendance.
The tech-driven compact crossover Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) coast home to victory behind strong contenders Changan CS55 and Chery Tiggo.
With this win, the Jetour Dashing joins an elite list of past winners of the coveted award, which includes Changan CS55, Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla and Kia Rio in recent times, underscoring its growing appeal and relevance in Nigeria’s competitive automotive market.
Apart from the Car-of-the-Year category, the award night also celebrated outstanding performances across the automotive value chain.
Mikano emerged ‘Auto Company of the Year,’ while Toyota Nigeria’s Isolo facility (TNL Workshop) won the ‘Workshop of the Year’ award.
Other major honours are Dangote Sinotruk as ‘Heavy-Duty Truck Brand of the Year;’ Iron Products Industries (IPI) Ltd as ‘Truck Assembler/Body Builder of the Year;’ Lanre Shittu Motors (JAC) as ‘Truck Plant of the Year’ and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) as ‘Passenger Car Assembly Plant of the Year.’
In the electric and alternative energy segment, Saglev emerged ‘EV Brand of the Year,’ while Jet Automobiles Ltd was recognised as ‘CNG Vehicle Assembler of the Year’ and Massilia Motors (Mitsubishi) won the ‘Most Innovative Auto Company of the Year’ award. Also Suzuki by CFAO was named the ‘Most Competitive Priced Brand of the Year.’
Model-specific awards also featured prominently, with Mercedes-Benz S-Class winning ‘Luxury Car of the Year;’ Range Rover Autobiography (Coscharis Motors) clinching ‘Luxury SUV of the Year;’ Kia Seltos taking ‘Compact SUV of the Year,’ Changan CS55 (Mikano Motors) winning ‘Midsize SUV of the Year;’ Toyota Hilux named ‘Pick-Up of the Year’ and Toyota Hiace crowned ‘Minibus of the Year.’ The Mercedes-Benz E-Class also emerged as the ‘Most Popular Luxury Model of the Year.’
Corporate and sectoral resilience was recognised with Stallion Motors, R.T. Briscoe Nigeria Plc and ANAMMCO Ltd., all honoured as ‘Resilient Auto Companies of the Year,’ while Coscharis Motors clinched ‘Multiple Brand Auto Company of the Year;’ CFAO Mobility won ‘Most Enterprising Auto Company of the Year,’ and GUO Transport Ltd was named ‘Transport Company of the Year.’
Several other brands were also recognised 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, highlighting the growing dynamism of Nigeria’s auto market. NORD Automobiles also emerged as Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year.
In aftersales and maintenance 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 excellence was equally recognised with Oluwatobi Ajayi, Chairman of NORD Automobiles, ‘Auto Personality of the Year (Private Sector)’, while Otunba Joseph Osanipin, Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), emerged ‘Auto Personality of the Year (Public Sector).’
Besides, Ifeanyi Agwu, Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Ltd, was honoured as ‘Auto Show Promoter of the Decade’ and Sonu Singh of Stallion Motors won the ‘Marketing/Media Manager of the Year’ award.
Speaking at the ceremony, NADDC Director General Osanipin lauded NAJA for sustaining a credible platform that celebrates excellence, innovation and professionalism in the automotive industry.
He noted that automotive journalists play a critical role in informing the public, promoting accountability and spotlighting industry advancements.
According to him, the NAJA awards aligned with NADDC’s statutory mandate to reposition Nigeria’s automotive sector as a driver of industrial growth, job creation and technological advancement.
Earlier, in his welcome address, NAJA Chairman, Theodore Opara described the awards as one of the most respected platforms in the sector.
He explained that the 18-year-old initiative had continued to adapt amid rapid global and local changes. He added that “From vehicle technology and alternative energy solutions to policy reforms, local assembly and evolving consumer expectations, the automotive landscape is undergoing major transformation.”
