-By Teddy Nwanunobi
A few decades ago, owning a car was considered luxury. But with time such perception has changed. With the living standard of middle class Nigerians improving gradually, owning a car is becoming a bit easier than what obtained in the past. Nigerians now drive cars not because of social status, but because of necessity as the case may be. However, buying a car still remains a tall order. Which is why Tokunbo (foreign used-cars) come handy because they are not as expensive as new ones. Below are brands now dominating Nigeria’s used- car market.
1. Toyota
Toyota is well-known for its comfortability and durability. There is an exaggeration that if you see a Toyota in the used-car market, no matter how long it has been around, it could still perform excellently well. As if being the best in the showroom is not enough, Toyota, a Japanese brand remains top brand in the Tokunbo market. Its market range is pretty wide and can satisfy a wide spectrum of customers.
2. Honda
The second Japanese car on the list is Honda which is equally as effective, durable and also comfortable as any other brand. It has all qualities of Japanese made vehicle. One would probably get bored with the vehicle because it does not wear out in time. With this brand and its sub-company product – Acura and Acura MDX and Honda Civic, rank among the best in the Nigerian market.
3. KIA
KIA, South Korean made is an ideal choice for daily usage, such as taking the kids to school, driving your wife to the supermarket or your family to the countryside for picnic. Though one can’t expect the same effect as the Japanese brands, its efficient fuel economy, flexibility, and comfort level are good. In addition, the price is pocket-friendly.
4. Hyundai
This is amongst the popular brands that are present in Nigeria’s market for some time now. Nigerians are familiar with this brand. In a sense, their knowledge about the Nigerian market translates to their final products, with an ergonomic and comfortable design. If Hyundai is your choice, it is suggested that you go for Hyundai Sonata, a family sedan that expresses efficient and unique but flexible feature.
5. Mercedes Benz
There’s nothing much to complain about the mechanical work of the Germans, really. The engine technology from Mercedez even got favored by some of the most famous reputable brands in the auto industry. Nothing demonstrates ruggedness and elegance like a Mercedez. If your heart is for Mercedez, a Mercedes Benz C300 can do the trick.
6. Nissan
Nissan is another Japanese offering and that alone speaks volumes about the brand. Not possessing that flamboyant, luxurious kind of appearance, Japanese car manufacturers focus solely on their functionality and durability, which is probably why some owners use it for years. Most of the previous owners got rid of the car simply because they want to upgrade to a more attractive version. In other words, Nissan is one of the efficient and cheapest choices one can get in the Tokunbo market.
7. Volkswagen
When we mention the name Volkswagen, most people immediately think of the famous Beetle. In a way, it is good for a brand to have a flagship product but it’s actually unfair to other products since all of them are equally good. Products of Volkswagen have long been known for their smooth driving experience and impressive performance regardless of size. In view of this fact, many Nigerians go for the brand.
8. BMW
This is special brand, which stands in a middle-range segment where it is not a luxury car nor a regular one. It is more like a sports’ car. It has an edge over other brands, since it satisfies a wide range of customers. Its cute design comes to mind, though the replacement and fixing cost is really expensive. However, it is still reasonable to buy a tokunbo BMW, given its esthetic nature and uniqueness.
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9. Land Rover
This is a very special type of SUV. It looks magnificent when you drive it on a regular basis, with superb style and design. It is also very tenacious when you drive it on the muddy route. It might seem greedy to look for a car that is both stunning and is also able to overcome any off-road challenges. But Land Rover is just here for you, modest, and totally unbelievably resilient.
10. Ford
Ranked 10th in the Nigeria favor list and 5th worldwide, this American brand has great qualities. Its beautiful bodywork coupled with excellent functionality makes it the choice of many. There is a good number of used Ford vehicles sold at affordable prices.