Jetour Dashing Wins 2025 NAJA Car Of The Year Award

Jetour Dashing has been named Nigeria’s 2025 Car of the Year by the Nigeria Auto Journalists’ Association (NAJA), emerging top after a rigorous assessment of leading vehicle models competing for the industry’s highest honour.
The announcement was made recently at the 18th edition of the NAJA International Auto Awards held at the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. The compact crossover SUV outperformed fellow finalists, the Changan CS55 and the Chery Tiggo, to secure the prestigious title.
With the win, Jetour Dashing joins a select group of previous award recipients such as the Changan CS55, Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla and Kia Rio, reflecting its growing acceptance and relevance in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive automotive market.
The awards ceremony also recognised excellence across several segments of the automotive value chain. Mikano Group was named Auto Company of the Year, while Toyota Nigeria’s Isolo facility received the Workshop of the Year award.
In the commercial vehicle category, Dangote Sinotruk was honoured as Heavy-Duty Truck Brand of the Year, while Iron Products Industries (IPI) Limited emerged Truck Assembler and Body Builder of the Year. Lanre Shittu Motors (JAC) was named Truck Plant of the Year, and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) secured the Passenger Car Assembly Plant of the Year award.
The electric and alternative fuel segment featured prominently, with Saglev winning EV Brand of the Year and Jet Automobiles Limited recognised as CNG Vehicle Assembler of the Year. Massilia Motors, dealers of Mitsubishi vehicles, was named Most Innovative Auto Company of the Year, while Suzuki by CFAO was awarded Most Competitive Priced Brand of the Year.
Several vehicle models also received top honours. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class won Luxury Car of the Year, while the Range Rover Autobiography distributed by Coscharis Motors clinched Luxury SUV of the Year. The Kia Seltos was named Compact SUV of the Year, the Changan CS55 from Mikano Motors emerged Midsize SUV of the Year, Toyota Hilux was crowned Pick-Up of the Year, and Toyota Hiace won Minibus of the Year. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class was also recognised as Most Popular Luxury Model of the Year.
Corporate resilience was acknowledged, with Stallion Motors, R.T. Briscoe Nigeria Plc and ANAMMCO Limited all honoured as Resilient Auto Companies of the Year. Coscharis Motors received the Multiple Brand Auto Company of the Year award, CFAO Mobility was named Most Enterprising Auto Company of the Year, and GUO Transport Limited emerged Transport Company of the Year.
New entrants were also celebrated, underscoring the dynamism of Nigeria’s auto market. Recognitions went to New Era Automobile Services, JIM–ISUZU Pick-Up by Cedric Autos Limited, JEGO EV, NORD A9 and Jetour X50. NORD Automobiles was further named Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year.
In the aftersales segment, Carloha Nigeria won both Auto Aftersales Company of the Year and Pre-owned Company of the Year, while Winpart received the Auto Aftersales Service Provider of the Year award for parts and workshop services.
Individual contributions to the sector were also acknowledged. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NORD Automobiles, Oluwatobi Ajayi, was named Auto Personality of the Year in the private sector, while Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Otunba Joseph Osanipin, received the Auto Personality of the Year award in the public sector. Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Limited, Ifeanyi Agwu, was honoured as Auto Show Promoter of the Decade, and Sonu Singh of Stallion Motors emerged Marketing and Media Manager of the Year.
Speaking at the event, NADDC Director General Osanipin commended NAJA for maintaining a credible platform that promotes professionalism, innovation and excellence in the automotive industry. He noted that the work of automotive journalists remains vital in informing the public, encouraging accountability and showcasing sectoral progress.
In his welcome address, NAJA Chairman Theodore Opara described the awards as one of the most respected platforms in Nigeria’s automotive sector, noting that the initiative has evolved over 18 years to reflect rapid changes in technology, policy, consumer behaviour and local manufacturing.
The 2025 NAJA International Auto Awards, he said, once again affirmed their position as a benchmark for recognising achievement and progress within Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem.