By Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
When Chery Automobile confirmed it had exported 1.34 million vehicles in 2025, securing its position as China’s number one passenger car exporter for the 23rd consecutive year, the numbers did more than underline scale. They told a story of consistency, strategic execution, and the growing influence of Chinese automakers in global and African markets.
With total global sales of 2.81 million vehicles in 2025 and cumulative exports reaching 5.85 million units, Chery has moved from being a cost-competitive alternative to a serious global automotive contender. Exporting one vehicle every 23 seconds and surpassing 140,000 overseas shipments monthly for the first time reflects not just demand but a supply chain and production ecosystem refined over decades.
At the heart of Chery’s success is its focused product strategy. SUVs and sedans continue to anchor its growth, with the Tiggo 8 standing out as a flagship model. The mid-size SUV has retained its status as the best-selling Chinese gasoline-powered SUV in its category for nine consecutive years, reinforcing Chery’s strength in a segment that remains domiwnant in emerging markets. This consistency matters, particularly in regions where buyers prioritise durability, space, and value over rapid model churn.
Nigeria is one of the markets where Chery’s long-term approach is becoming increasingly visible. Through Carloha Nigeria, the brand’s official assembler and franchise holder, Chery is positioning itself not merely as an importer of vehicles but as a stakeholder in Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem. Carloha Nigeria’s celebration of Chery’s global export milestone underscores how closely local strategy is tied to global performance.
In Nigeria’s challenging automotive environment, characterised by fluctuating foreign exchange rates, infrastructure gaps, and a historically weak after-sales culture, brand survival is often determined less by sales volumes and more by service reliability. Carloha Nigeria appears to understand this dynamic. Its investments in modern showrooms, OEM-approved service centres, trained technicians, diagnostic tools, and the supply of genuine spare parts signal a deliberate effort to address one of the industry’s biggest pain points: customer confidence after purchase.
This emphasis on after-sales support is further reinforced by the CarlohaCare 6-6-7 programme, which offers a six-year warranty, six years of free scheduled servicing, and a seven-day repair promise. In a market where warranties are often limited and service timelines uncertain, such a package functions as both a trust-building mechanism and a competitive differentiator. It shifts the ownership conversation from short-term affordability to long-term value.
For Chery International, Nigeria’s strategic importance is clear. As Africa’s largest economy and one of its fastest-growing urban markets, Nigeria represents both scale and influence. A strong foothold here strengthens Chery’s broader African expansion ambitions. According to Chery International’s leadership, the partnership with Carloha Nigeria is designed to ensure Nigerian customers enjoy the same ownership experience available in more established global markets, a critical requirement if the brand is to compete beyond price.
The broader implication of Chery’s sustained export leadership is the changing perception of Chinese automotive brands. Once viewed primarily as entry-level options, companies like Chery are increasingly judged on reliability, design, safety, and customer experience. Their ability to maintain export dominance for over two decades suggests that this shift is structural, not cyclical.
As Carloha Nigeria rolls out customer engagement activities and showroom promotions to mark the milestone, the message is clear: global success must translate into local relevance. If Chery’s export momentum continues and if Carloha sustains its focus on after-sales excellence, Nigeria could emerge as one of the brand’s most important African success stories, mirroring the discipline and consistency that have defined Chery’s global journey for 23 years.