The Jetour Dashing has surged into the limelight after being crowned Nigeria’s 2025 Car of the Year by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), emerging tops in a fiercely competitive field of leading vehicles.
The announcement was made on Tuesday at the 18th NAJA International Auto Awards, held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The tech-forward compact crossover SUV outperformed notable rivals, including the Changan CS55 and Chery Tiggo, to secure the industry’s most coveted honour.
With this recognition, the Jetour Dashing joins an exclusive league of past winners such as the Changan CS55, Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla and Kia Rio, reaffirming its rising profile and strong resonance in Nigeria’s dynamic automotive market.
Beyond the headline award, the ceremony celebrated excellence across the automotive value chain. Mikano was named Auto Company of the Year, while Toyota Nigeria’s Isolo facility (TNL Workshop) clinched Workshop of the Year.
Other key winners included 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 alternative energy segment, Saglev emerged EV Brand of the Year, while Jet Automobiles Ltd won CNG Vehicle Assembler of the Year. Massilia Motors (Mitsubishi) was recognised as Most Innovative Auto Company of the Year, and Suzuki by CFAO earned the title of Most Competitive Priced Brand of the Year.
Model-specific accolades also featured prominently. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class won Luxury Car of the Year, Range Rover Autobiography (Coscharis Motors) clinched Luxury SUV of the Year, Kia Seltos took Compact SUV of the Year, Changan CS55 (Mikano Motors) won Midsize SUV of the Year, Toyota Hilux was named Pick-Up of the Year, and Toyota Hiace emerged Minibus of the Year. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class also won Most Popular Luxury Model of the Year.
Corporate resilience was equally 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 celebrated 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 sector’s growing vibrancy. NORD Automobiles also emerged as 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 excellence was also celebrated. Oluwatobi Ajayi, Chairman/CEO of NORD Automobiles, was named 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). Ifeanyi Agwu, Managing Director/CEO of BKG Exhibitions Ltd, was honoured as Auto Show Promoter of the Decade, and Sonu Singh of Stallion Motors won Marketing/Media Manager of the Year.
Speaking at the event, NADDC Director General Joseph Osanipin, praised NAJA for sustaining a credible platform that celebrates excellence, innovation and professionalism, noting the vital role automotive journalists play in informing the public and driving accountability.
In his welcome address, NAJA Chairman Theodore Opara described the awards as one of the industry’s most respected platforms, highlighting its ability to evolve amid rapid technological, policy and consumer-driven changes.
The 2025 NAJA International Auto Awards once again underscored its position as the benchmark for recognising progress and excellence in Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem.