Chinese automaker Jetour turned heads at the 25th Abuja International Motor Fair on 22nd November , 2025, showcasing a lineup of AI-integrated SUVs designed specifically for Nigeria’s challenging road conditions and price-conscious buyers.
The Chery Automobile subsidiary unveiled multiple models including the T2 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle at Eagle Square, drawing massive crowds eager to test vehicles equipped with adaptive cruise control, intelligent voice commands, and hybrid powertrains. With entry-level pricing starting from ₦25 million and the flagship T2 ranging between ₦55-83 million depending on configuration, Jetour positions itself as a disruptive force in a market traditionally dominated by more expensive Japanese and European imports. The event, inaugurated by representatives of Vice-President Kashim Shettima and Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Kingsley Udeh, emphasised Nigeria’s automotive future through innovation, sustainability, and growth.
The showcase centred on Jetour’s comprehensive SUV portfolio: the Dashing, X50, X70 Hybrid, X70 Plus, X90 Plus, and the standout T2 PHEV. Each model blends modern aesthetics with practical functionality tailored to African driving environments. The T2 particularly captured attention as a limited-edition offering that seamlessly switches between petrol and electric modes, reducing both carbon emissions and operational costs in a nation where fuel prices fluctuate significantly. Beyond the hybrid efficiency, these vehicles pack sophisticated technology into packages designed to withstand Nigeria’s notorious infrastructure challenges—potholed urban streets, flooded roads during rainy seasons, and rough rural terrain that would punish less robust vehicles.
Jetour engineered the AI systems, assembled the hybrid powertrains in partnership with BorgWarner for 4WD components, and localised the feature set through Nigerian dealer feedback to ensure relevance. The T2’s 2.0-litre turbocharged engine delivers 254 horsepower and 390 Nm of torque through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, providing power reserves for overtaking sluggish traffic or climbing steep inclines. The adaptive cruise control system uses sensors and algorithms to maintain safe following distances automatically, while Highway Cruise Assist and Traffic Jam Assist reduce driver fatigue on Lagos-Abuja expressway trips that can stretch beyond eight hours. Intelligent voice commands respond to natural language in English, allowing drivers to control navigation, climate, music, and windows without taking hands off the wheel—a significant safety enhancement on roads demanding constant vigilance. The 15.6-inch LCD touchscreen integrates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring smartphone connectivity that Nigerian consumers increasingly expect as standard equipment.
This product launch signals Jetour’s strategic expansion beyond China into African markets where demand for affordable, technology-rich vehicles continues growing. By targeting the ₦25-83 million price bracket, Jetour undercuts established competitors like Toyota Prado by an estimated thirty to forty percent while offering comparable features and arguably superior technology integration. The move addresses Nigeria’s automotive market dynamics where middle-class families seek vehicles capable of handling diverse conditions—daily school runs through traffic-choked cities, weekend trips to rural hometowns over degraded roads, and the occasional adventure into off-grid locations. The five-year or 150,000-kilometre warranty backed by nationwide after-sales support through authorised dealers demonstrates commitment beyond initial sales, addressing historical concerns about Chinese brands’ service infrastructure in Africa.
Jetour’s Nigerian distributor manages marketing, sales networks, and after-sales service including genuine parts supply and technical assistance across major cities. Spokesperson Kemi Adeola emphasised the brand’s commitment to customer satisfaction and innovation during the fair, noting surging interest in the SUV and crossover segment. BorgWarner supplies the sixth-generation intelligent 4WD system that automatically distributes torque for optimal traction. The partnership arrangement mirrors strategies used by other Chinese manufacturers entering emerging markets—leveraging local distributors who understand consumer preferences while maintaining quality control through established component suppliers.
Globally, automotive AI integration shows varied adoption speeds across regions. European and North American manufacturers have gradually introduced driver assistance features over the past decade, but Chinese brands like Jetour, BYD, and Geely accelerated development timelines significantly. Where Western automakers might spend five to seven years refining adaptive cruise control systems, Chinese competitors compress this to two or three years by rapidly iterating based on massive domestic data collection. Nigeria represents a new frontier where these technologies face real-world stress tests under conditions far harsher than smooth Chinese highways or well-maintained European roads. If Jetour’s systems prove reliable navigating Lagos potholes and Abuja’s chaotic roundabouts, it validates the technology for broader African deployment.
Tesla’s approach to AI-driven vehicles emphasises full autonomy aspirations through over-the-air updates and proprietary sensor arrays, requiring substantial upfront investment but aiming for revolutionary capability. Traditional Japanese manufacturers like Toyota favour gradual, conservative feature rollouts prioritising proven reliability over cutting-edge functionality. Jetour occupies a middle ground—incorporating advanced AI features that enhance rather than replace driver control, at price points accessible to emerging market consumers. From concept to Nigerian market entry, Jetour compressed what typically spans four to five years into approximately two years by leveraging Chery’s existing manufacturing infrastructure and component supply chains. This rapid deployment contrasts with established brands that require extensive local testing and regulatory approvals before launching in new markets.
Chery Automobile’s track record provides context for Jetour’s capabilities and potential challenges. As China’s largest passenger vehicle exporter, Chery has established operations across seventy countries, demonstrating ability to adapt products for diverse markets. The parent company achieved profitability through volume production and aggressive international expansion, selling over two million vehicles annually. However, Chinese automotive brands historically struggled with perception issues regarding long-term durability and resale value in African markets, where Japanese reliability remains the gold standard. Jetour’s success will ultimately depend on whether vehicles maintain performance after years navigating Nigeria’s punishing roads—a test that specifications and warranties cannot predict.
Nigerian buyers responded enthusiastically during the fair’s demonstration drives, with crowds queuing for test rides in the T2 PHEV throughout the three-day event. The 360-degree panoramic camera and lane departure warnings demonstrated practical safety benefits for navigating tight market streets where pedestrians and motorcycles appear unpredictably. For families transitioning from aging sedans or considering their first SUV purchase, the combination of hybrid efficiency reducing fuel expenses, spacious interiors accommodating extended family trips, and technology features matching global standards created compelling appeal. Early social media commentary positions these vehicles as “intelligent mobility solutions” that acknowledge African infrastructure realities rather than expecting African roads to match Chinese or European standards.
This marks a significant moment where Chinese automotive technology directly challenges established market hierarchies in Africa’s most populous nation, potentially accelerating adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles if Jetour delivers on reliability promises. Should Nigerian regulators create stronger incentives for hybrid and electric vehicle adoption through tax breaks or import duty reductions to support environmental goals, or maintain current policies that treat all vehicles equally regardless of emissions profiles?
