Nigeria Automobile Sector to Contribute 4.5% of 2016 Global Sales

Nigeria’s automobile sector may contribute at least 4.5 per cent of 2016 global automobile sales as a result of the country’s increased investment in the automobile sector in 2015, which encouraged local production.

This was contained in the review report of the trends in the automobile sector in Nigeria by online vehicle marketplace, Carmudi.com.ng.

According to the report, “In 2015, investment in the automobile industry in Nigeria was at an all time high as more than 12 automobile manufacturing plants including cars, bikes, tricycles, and trucks began production in Nigeria. With the rise of local automobile manufacturing industry, investors, auto financing and favourable government policies, 2016 promises to be an interesting year for Nigeria’s automobile industry.

It is estimated that the revenue generated from this sector will produce 25 per cent of the national GDP in the first quarter of 2016.”

The report also noted that “vehicle ownership increased in 2015 with the availability of locally manufactured cars, increase in the availability and sale of Nigerian used cars and access to car loans. Use of personal cars also increased.”

The report’s projection for 2016 trends in Nigeria noted that “E-car technology will be taken into consideration more in 2016. More people will embrace hybrid cars because of their low fuel consumption and reduced exhaust emission and production of these cars will increase by 4.6 per cent by 2020. Demand for cars with other simple technologies such as GPS, remote sensor locks, car tracking devices, keyless ignition will increase.”

It added: “E car market penetration will also increase in 2015 as research paper by Carmudi Nigeria showed that 83 per cent of Nigerians start their search for cars online before purchase. The research also stated that the online car market in Nigeria is driven by internet growth and mobile penetration. 2016 promises to surpass the 300 million searches online for new and used cars in Nigeria.”

On auto brand trends, the report said: “A brand research in 2015 showed that Volkswagen may have greater potential than its closest competitors in Nigeria. Hyundai market shares will also continue to increase in 2016 followed by Toyota, General Motors and German automakers.”

Recall that recently, the KPMG 2015 global Automotive Summary Survey pointed out that the automobile industry across Africa will increase in volume and global sales will pass the 100 million mark and continue to rise till the end of the decade.