5 Nigerian Car Manufacturers Redefining What ‘Made in Nigeria’ Means

When it comes to cars, most conversations in Nigeria revolve around big names like Ferrari, Lamborghini, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Range Rover, and so on. 

These are the dream machines plastered on posters, Instagram reels, and even our phone wallpapers. But if you pause for a moment, you’ll realise that we rarely talk about the cars made or assembled right here in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s car industry is growing steadily and deserves a lot more attention than it gets. From entirely homegrown brands like Innoson and Nord to global manufacturers such as Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota, Ford, and BMW that assemble some of their models locally, there’s more happening on our soil than many people know. These cars are designed with our unique roads, fuel realities, and lifestyle in mind. Some are tailored to give everyday Nigerians more affordable options than their imported counterparts.

So, instead of only dreaming about foreign luxury cars that cost the price of a house in Banana Island, it’s worth asking: what about the cars made in Nigeria, for Nigerians? Now’s the time to shine a light on seven standout Nigerian-made or assembled vehicles, and even better, we’ll look at roughly how much they cost.

Founded in 2007 by Chief Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma, Innoson is often called the “Pride of African Roads.” Based in Nnewi, Anambra State, IVM is Nigeria’s first indigenous car manufacturer. What sets them apart is their commitment to sourcing most of their vehicle parts locally, roughly 70%, while importing the rest.

Innoson’s philosophy has always been about making cars affordable for the average Nigerian while maintaining global standards. Their range spans sedans, SUVs, buses, pickups, and electric vehicles. Introducing electric vehicles like the IVM Link and EX02 shows they’re not just looking at today but preparing for Nigeria’s automotive future. With partnerships like their auto-finance plan with Access Bank, they’re also finding ways to make car ownership easier for everyday Nigerians.

Prices (approximately):

• Fox / Umu sedans: ₦3.5 - ₦4.2 million.
  

• SUVs (G5-G80): ₦12 - ₦33million.
  

• Carrier 4WD pickup: ₦ 6 - ₦7 million
  

• Buses (e.g. 23-seater 6601): ₦22–₦34 million

READ ALSO: 11 Things to Check When Buying a Tokunbo Car

Nord Automobiles is a newer player redefining what a Nigerian car brand looks like. Founded by Oluwatobi Ajayi, Nord has its headquarters in Lagos and builds vehicles specifically with Nigerian roads, climate, and lifestyle in mind.

What makes Nord exciting is its design-to-delivery approach. Everything from assembly, customisation, and after-sales service is handled locally, with partnerships across Europe and Asia to ensure quality. Their line-up includes the Nord A3 sedan, A5 SUV, Nord Tank pickup, and Nord Flit bus, among others. 

They assemble several models:

• Nord A3 (sedan): ₦8.36 million (Eco) to ₦9.75 million (Advantage).
  

• Nord A5 (SUV): ₦12.85 million (Eco) to ₦15.2 million (Advantage).
  

• Nord Max: ₦8.75 million (diesel) to ₦9.14 million (petrol).
  

• Nord Flit (van): ₦9.9 million (panel) to ₦10.5 million (window variant).
  

• Nord Tank (all-wheel drive): petrol - ₦11.7 million; diesel - ₦11.1 million.
  

• Nord Yarn (MPV): ₦14.1 million (Eco), ₦15.85 million (Advantage), ₦18.2 million (Luxury).

Stallion Motors has been in the Nigerian automotive scene for decades and is one of the strongest names in car assembly. When Volkswagen of Nigeria was privatised, Stallion built an assembly base that soon attracted global brands.

Today, Stallion assembles and distributes vehicles for Nissan, Hyundai, Honda, and others. Their significance lies in car production and bridging the gap between global auto companies and the Nigerian market. Stallion is also one of the reasons why you see so many locally-assembled Nissans and Hyundais on our roads today.

Nissan 

• Nissan Almera: ₦1.7 million to ₦7.5 million.

• Nissan Sentra: ₦3 million to ₦17 million. 

• Nissan Xterra: ₦2 million to ₦8 million. 

Hyundai 

• Hyundai i10 (hatchback): ₦2 million to ₦4 million. 

• Hyundai Elantra: ₦6 million to ₦22 million. 

• Hyundai Tucson: ₦7 million to ₦49 million. 

READ ALSO: The Best WiFi Routers Under ₦100,000 for Home Use in Nigeria

Globe Motors began in 1984 and has grown into one of Nigeria’s biggest automobile dealerships and assemblers. With headquarters in Lagos, they represent premium brands like Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, and Hyundai.

What makes Globe Motors noteworthy is its balance of luxury and accessibility. They played a pivotal role in introducing Hyundai to Nigeria and even set up an assembly plant to build models like the Elantra and Accent locally. Their impact stretches beyond just selling cars. They’ve also created a strong distribution and service network across Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, making them a household name in Nigeria’s auto sector.

READ ALSO: These 7 Android Tablets Can Do What iPads Do (and More)

Coscharis Motors, founded in 1977 by Cosmas Maduka, is synonymous with luxury in Nigeria. They import premium vehicles like BMW, Land Rover, and Rolls-Royce and assemble some of them locally, thanks to a world-class assembly plant launched in 2018 with the capacity to produce up to 10,000 vehicles annually.

Coscharis is more than just about cars; it’s about the lifestyle that comes with them. From their showrooms across the country to their robust after-sales service and training centres, they’ve cemented their reputation as a name for premium mobility in Nigeria.

Buying a Made-in-Nigeria car means investing in homegrown ingenuity, shorter supply chains, and potentially better access to parts and service. Yes, some models are still pricey, especially electric ones and luxury sedans, but the gap is closing. 

These vehicles show that Nigeria’s auto industry is shifting into gear. As infrastructure, financing, and production scale-up improve, these prices and offerings will only look better.