The eighth Nigeria Auto Awards held recently in Lagos confirmed the supremacy of the Toyota brand, as the car maker went away with six awards.
The Toyota Camry led the pack, capturing the prestigious ‘Car of the Year’ (COTY) award at the event, which was organised by Onwheels.
Truck of the Year (one ton) went to the Toyota Hilux and the managing director of Toyota Nigeria Limited, C. K. Thampy, emerged as the CEO of the Year.
Toyota was also declared Brand of the Year; and Dealer of the Year award and the after-sales service company of the year went to Mandilas Motors and Elizade Nigeria Limited, both Toyota agents. Kia scooped up Budjet Car of the Year with their Picanto.
Financial institutions were not left out as their contributions to the auto industry were recognised. In the bank category, Fidelity Bank Plc took home the best bank in the transport support section; while Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc won the bank of the year in the consumer (auto) section.
In the auto personality category, the chairman of C & I Motors, Mr. Emeka Ndu, was awarded the auto entrepreneur of the year.
The Mack Truck, marketed in Nigeria by Lanre Shittu Motors, emerged the truck of the year; while the Sino was the declared the fastest selling truck of the year, with Volvo the upcoming truck of the year.
Jabez Aina-Scott, publisher of Onwheels magazine, said it was exciting that the 2013 awards threw up a number of surprises. He said that the event would continue to define the essence of the auto industry in Nigeria, adding that it was designed to reward excellence and showcase performance.
According to Aina-Scott, the Nigeria Auto Award is engineered to celebrate men and women with high pedigree; individuals who in no small measure have contributed to the development of the auto industry in Nigeria.
The award categories had been increased to accommodate the unprecedented growth in the industry in recent years with, Mr Aina-Scott says, “about 30 brands of vehicle and well over 15 major franchise holders and dealerships adding up the figure.”
