Bennett Oghifo
In a night celebrating excellence across Nigeria’s booming automotive market, Toyota Nigeria, Coscharis Motors and Weststar Associates emerged among the biggest winners at the 18th annual Nigeria Auto Journalists’ Association (NAJA) International Auto Awards, underscoring their market dominance, brand strength and service excellence.
Held at the prestigious Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, the December event has grown into a critical industry barometer — spotlighting innovation, market performance, and contribution to the local automotive ecosystem.
Toyota Nigeria: Three Wins in Commercial Vehicle Segment
Toyota Nigeria was a standout performer, taking home three major awards at the ceremony:
Minibus of the Year – Toyota Hiace, a long-standing favourite among commercial transport operators.
Pick-Up of the Year – Toyota Hilux, cementing its reputation for durability and performance in Nigeria’s challenging road conditions.
Workshop of the Year – Toyota’s ultra-modern Isolo workshop in Lagos was recognised for after-sales excellence and technical competence.
These wins reflect Toyota’s sustained appeal among commercial and private buyers, as well as its investment in service infrastructure that enhances customer confidence in vehicle ownership.
Coscharis Motors: Luxury and Multi-Brand Prowess Rewarded
Coscharis Motors also captured significant attention with two accolades:
Multiple Brand Auto Company of the Year, recognising Coscharis’s diversified brand portfolio and impact across segments.
Luxury Auto SUV of the Year, awarded to the Range Rover Autobiography, a model that combines premium performance with luxury appeal.
The company’s success signals the strength of luxury automotive demand in Nigeria, driven by rising consumer expectations for comfort, status and technology in high-end SUVs.
Weststar Associates: Setting the Standard in Luxury Motoring
Weststar Associates Limited, Nigeria’s franchise holder for Mercedes-Benz, added to the night’s big winners with two prestigious titles:
Luxury Car of the Year – Mercedes-Benz E-Class, recognised for its blend of innovation, comfort and performance.
Luxury Brand of the Year – Mercedes-Benz, reinforcing the marque’s enduring desirability and brand strength in the Nigerian luxury segment.
While these corporate giants were rightly on the spotlight, the NAJA awards also highlighted the broader dynamism of Nigeria’s automotive industry.
The Jetour Dashing was crowned Nigeria’s 2025 Car of the Year in a fiercely contested category, while local and emerging players — including JIM-ISUZU, JéGO EV and Nord A9 — were celebrated as New Entrants of the Year, illustrating the market’s increasing diversity and competitiveness.
Industry stakeholders at the event emphasised the role of automotive journalism in promoting professionalism, accountability and consumer awareness, as well as the importance of local assembly, technological adaptation and after-sales excellence in driving sector growth. Bottom Line: Toyota’s commercial reliability, Coscharis’ luxury appeal, and Weststar’s premium leadership dominated this year’s NAJA Auto Awards — a clear signal of the evolving priorities of Nigerian car buyers and the competitive strength of these industry leaders.
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