Bennett Oghifo
The Hyundai Creta has emerged Nigeria’s Car Of The Year (COTY) 2021, at Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Award event, held in Lagos, recently.
Other brands and some personalities in the nation’s auto sector were also honoured at this year’s event, which was well-attended.
In other categories, Mercedes-Benz S-Class was voted Luxury Car Of The Year 2021; Range Rover Velar as Luxury SUV Of The Year; Toyota Hilux as Pick Up Of The Year; and Toyota Hiace as Mini Bus Of The Year.
Others are, Lanre Shittu (JAC) as Auto Plant Of The Year (Truck); Mandilas Motors as Auto Workshop Of The Year; Shacman (TSS) as Truck Of The Year (Heavy Duty); Suzuki (CFAO), Outstanding Comeback Of The Year; Toyota Starlet, Most Transformed New Entrant Of The Year; Hyundai Kona, Electric Vehicle Of The Year; and PAN Nigeria Ltd., Most Resilient Auto Assembler.
Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) as Auto Manufacturer Of The Year (Local Content); Massilia Motors as Most Innovative Auto Company of The Year; Work & Play as Motor Rally Promoter Of The Year; Nord Tank as Outstanding New Pickup Of The Year; Geely Coolray as Compact SUV Of The Year (Outstanding Design/Technology); GAC GS8 as Most Fascinating SUV Of The Year; Kia K5 (Optima) as Executive Car Of The Year; and Autochek as Online Auto Company of the year.
Personalities honoured included, Chief Diana Chen (Chairman/CEO, CIG Group) as Nigeria Auto CEO Of The Year; Jelani Aliyu MFR (DG, NADDC); as Auto Personality Of the Year (Public Sector); Jacky Hathiramani (MD, Dana Motors)
As Auto Personality Of the Year (Corporate); Chief Michael Ade.Ojo as Pillar of Nigeria Auto Industry; and Boboye Oyeyemi PhD, MFR as Road Safety Personality Of The Decade.
Jet Systems received award as Electric Vehicle Promoter Of The Year; OMAA as Gas Powered Auto Assembler Of The Year; Beatrice Oyesile as Communication/Marketing Manager Of The Year; and Funmi Abiola, as Communication/Marketing Manager Of The Year.
The highest product award given by the Nigeria Automotive journalists annually, was handed over to Stallion Motors (authorized distributor of Hyundai vehicles in Nigeria) team led by Mr. Gaurav Vashisht.
Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi delightfully handed over the award plaque to the winner on behalf of NAJA.
Chairman of the planning committee of the 2021 NAJA Awards, Theodore Opara explained that this year’s awards covered 2020 and 2021 because the event did not hold last year due to covid-19 restrictions.
The Chairman of NAJA, Mike Ochonma stated that the awards remain a credible means to review and reward players in the automotive industry in both the public and private sectors.
