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…To end era of used cars import
By Enyeribe Ejiogu
Chinese automaker Geely Galaxy has officially launched operations in Nigeria, partnering with TIM Motors to introduce hybrid and electric vehicles in a market where second-hand imports account for roughly 80 per cent of car sales.
The launch positions Geely Galaxy as a direct challenge to Nigeria’s reliance on used, often accident-damaged vehicles, while also taking aim at Japanese brands that dominate the new-car segment but face criticism for rising prices and stagnant innovation.
General Manager, TIM International’s Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Leon Zhan, said the company is now fully equipped to handle deliveries, after-sales service, spare parts supply and financing — more than 18 months after first entering the market.
“The biggest challenge is market order and transparency,” Zhan said, describing a sector long shaped by cheap, imported used vehicles.
The company is projecting sales of about 300 vehicles this year, rising to 800–1,000 in 2027 and reaching 2,000–3,000 within three years. Geely Galaxy already holds a government license for local assembly and plans to begin manufacturing in Nigeria once sales volumes justify the investment.
Three models anchor the initial lineup: the EX5 EM-i, a petrol-electric hybrid SUV built for extended range; the EX5, a mid-size SUV offering more than 430 kilometers of electric range; and the EX2, an affordable all-electric subcompact hatchback aimed at city drivers.
Stephanie Odia of TIM Motors emphasized the vehicles’ safety technology at the launch event, noting that Geely Galaxy models come equipped with a Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System featuring up to 16 functions, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot detection and 360-degree surround cameras.
The vehicles carry 5-star safety ratings from Euro NCAP and ANCAP, supported by reinforced cage structures designed to protect occupants in a crash.
Geely Galaxy operates independently of Coscharis Motors’ existing Geely dealership, serving as the exclusive distributor for the brand’s new-energy vehicles in Nigeria. The company says it will expand its model range and service network nationwide under the campaign theme “Powering the Future.”
