Chinese Automakers Dominate Nigeria’s New Car Market, Overtaking Japanese and European Rivals
Story: written by springnewsng September 5,2025
Chinese car manufacturers are rapidly reshaping Nigeria’s auto industry, overtaking Japanese and European brands in a market long dominated by second-hand imports. On Lagos streets today, models from GAC, Changan, Haval, Chery, Geely, and Jetour are increasingly visible, signaling a major shift in consumer preference.
Industry experts note that many corporate organizations and government agencies are now opting for Chinese cars because of their affordability and competitive pricing compared to German, Japanese, and American rivals. For instance, while a brand-new Toyota Camry 2.5L sells for about ₦48 million, a Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max SUV is priced between ₦15.4 million and ₦29.4 million, making it a more attractive option for buyers affected by Nigeria’s foreign exchange crisis.
According to Ojurongbe Damilola, Head of Technical Services at Cars45, there has been a clear surge in demand for Chinese vehicles among companies that prefer new cars, with some Nigerian banks already purchasing GAC cars for their staff.
The shift is not only corporate. On social media, users have also highlighted that state governments, such as Kwara State, are acquiring Chinese brands for official use, while individual buyers are warming up to models from Geely, Jetour, and Changan.
Industry insiders explain that the FX crisis has pushed Nigeria’s auto market toward lower-cost alternatives, with luxury car dealers now bringing in vehicles only on request due to soaring prices.
At the center of this automotive transformation is TIM Motors, a distributor previously known for heavy-duty Chinese trucks like FAW, Sinotruk, and Shacman. In April, the company launched a new passenger vehicle line tailored for Nigerian consumers, aiming to challenge the dominance of “Tokunbo” (used cars) in the market.
Leon Zhan, CEO of TIM Motors, revealed the company’s ambitious plan at its Lagos showroom launch:
“We want to replace 10 to 20 percent of Nigerian used cars with Chinese new cars.”
Zhan projects that Nigeria’s annual new-car sales, currently under 15,000 units, could rise to 50,000 within three years if this trend continues.
With a mix of geopolitics, pricing advantage, and strategic market entry, Chinese automakers are not only gaining traction but are well on their way to reshaping the future of Nigeria’s automobile industry.
