Chinese automobile manufacturer Jetour has announced plans to expand its business operations and investment in Nigeria and Africa. The company's Vice President, Yuan Anguo, disclosed this in Abuja while addressing customers, dealers, industry stakeholders, and motoring enthusiasts at the Jetour Experience. The event showcased a wide range of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and new-generation vehicles. Yuan said the company was encouraged by the growing confidence of Nigerian motorists in the Jetour brand.
The three-day Jetour Experience, which opened on Tuesday at the Maha Event Centre in Abuja, aims to bring the company's expanding product portfolio closer to consumers in the Federal Capital Territory and neighboring states. The event provides prospective customers with opportunities to inspect, test-drive, and interact with the vehicles. Among the vehicles displayed are the X50, X70 Plus, X70 PHEV, X90 Plus, T2, T2 PHEV, Dashing, Rely R8, G700, T1, and F700.
The broadening product line-up reflects Jetour's strategy of providing Nigerian consumers with different vehicle options spanning conventional petrol-powered models, hybrid vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Managing Director of New Era AutoVehicle Services, Kemi Koyejo, said the diversity of the product range was informed by the varying needs and preferences of Nigerian motorists.
Koyejo explained that the name Jetour was derived from "Jet plus Tour," representing the company's philosophy of making mobility more enjoyable. She described the brand as "forward-looking," noting that it was investing in different powertrain technologies, including petrol, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The company's growing emphasis on alternative powertrains comes as vehicle manufacturers globally continue to expand their hybrid and electric vehicle offerings.
However, the availability of reliable after-sales services, spare parts, and technical support remains a critical consideration for Nigerian motorists. Executive Director of Elizade Nigeria Limited, Dr Ademola Philip-Adewunmi, stressed the importance of after-sales support to the continued expansion of the Jetour brand in Nigeria. Adewunmi disclosed that Jetour had sold about 1,000 vehicles in Nigeria within three years.
Adewunmi said Nigerian vehicle buyers were becoming more sophisticated and were conducting extensive research before committing their money to automobile purchases. Motorists are increasingly considering factors beyond the appearance of a vehicle, including technology, connectivity, performance, safety, and value for money. He said the availability of spare parts and effective after-sales support would therefore remain essential to maintaining customer confidence.
The issue of road safety also featured prominently at the event, with the Federal Road Safety Corps highlighting the potential role of vehicle technology in improving motorists' safety. Corps Commander Cherries Muta of the FRSC said safety technologies incorporated into Jetour vehicles could assist motorists and contribute to safer driving. The Abuja event is part of Jetour Nigeria's wider market expansion strategy, aimed at taking its products closer to consumers.
Key points
- Jetour to deepen business operations and investment in Nigeria and Africa.
- The company has sold about 1,000 vehicles in Nigeria within three years.
- Jetour vehicles come with a five-year or 150,000-kilometre warranty.
