CIG Motors

What CIG Motors does

CIG Motors Company Limited is a privately held Nigerian automotive distributor and a subsidiary of Choice International Group, founded in 2013 and headquartered at 146B Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The company holds exclusive representation rights for five Chinese automotive OEMs — GAC Motor, JMC Motors, Dongfeng Motors, FAW Group, and Wuling Motors — across Nigeria and broader Africa, distributing passenger vehicles (GA4, GS3, GS4, GS8, M8), commercial vehicles (JMC Vigus 1, Grand Avenue; Dongfeng M3 Plus, 1 Ton Truck), and electric models (Wuling Bingo, YEP, Mini EV E50). Its operations extend into local CKD vehicle assembly at facilities in Lagos (Ogba, Ikeja) and Abuja, with 2,000 GAC units assembled to date, alongside after-sales service centers and an authorized genuine spare parts network.

The company operates a vertically integrated platform-plus-services model. Technical infrastructure spans CKD assembly lines, a proprietary LagRide e-hailing platform (a wholly-owned subsidiary), and planned EV charging infrastructure (five mega charging stations under the Lagos State JV). Revenue is generated through one-time new vehicle sales, recurring fleet leasing income, transaction-based spare parts and after-sales service revenue, and a $100 million vehicle financing scheme ('Drive to Own') underwritten by UBA targeting 3,500 drivers over 48-month terms.

CIG's go-to-market spans enterprise fleet sales to government and corporate buyers, direct-to-consumer showroom sales through the GAC Motor showroom in Lagos, and partnership-driven channels including the LagRide ride-hailing franchise model and celebrity brand ambassadors (Davido, Funke Akindele). Active customer segments include individual consumers, fleet operators, government bodies (notably Lagos State), and commercial vehicle buyers, with a reported 89% customer recommendation rate. A 2024 joint venture with Lagos State Government and Ibile Holdings introduces 1,000 EVs and EV charging infrastructure, positioning the company at the intersection of vehicle distribution, local manufacturing, and e-mobility services in West Africa.

Name

CIG Motors

Legal name

CIG Motors Company Limited

Website

https://cigmotors.com.ng

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CIG Motors is a Lagos-based exclusive distributor of five Chinese automotive brands (GAC, JMC, Dongfeng, FAW, Wuling) in Nigeria and Africa, operating vehicle sales, CKD assembly, after-sales service, and the LagRide e-hailing and EV charging platform serving consumers, fleets, and government.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Distribution and Assembly

NAICS

Motorcycle, ATV, and All Other Motor Vehicle Dealers (441227), Motor Vehicle Manufacturing (3361)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicles & Motor Vehicle Parts & Supplies (5010), Services-Auto Rental & Leasing (No Drivers) (7510), Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Light Electric Vehicles (NEVs/LSEVs/Quadricycles) Manufacturing (IMACAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Truck & Commercial Vehicle Electrification Manufacturing (eAxles/Battery Packs/Fuel Cells) (IMACABAK), Specialty Vehicle Leasing/Rental (Refrigerated, Tanker, Flatbed, Utility/Service Bodies) (TLABAHAE), EV/Hybrid Aftermarket Parts & Accessories Distribution (Batteries, Charging Components) (TLAKAOAG)

Keywords

• Automobile distribution
• Vehicle assembly
• Commercial vehicle sales
• E-mobility ride hailing
• Automotive spare parts

Headquarters

HQ city

Lagos

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Vehicle Sales: Sale of new vehicles including GAC Motor, JMC Motors, Dongfeng Motors, FAW Group, and Wuling Motors brands. The company operates as exclusive representative for these Chinese automotive brands in Nigeria and Africa market.
2. Vehicle Assembly: Assembly of vehicles from CKD (Completely Knocked Down) kits at facilities in Lagos and Abuja. Includes production of commercial vehicles, buses, and passenger vehicles.
3. Car Leasing: Fleet leasing services for corporate and individual customers requiring transportation without vehicle ownership.
4. Spare Parts and After-Sales Service: Sale of genuine spare parts and maintenance services. CIG Motors is the only authorized source for genuine spare parts of GAC Motor and other brands under its portfolio.
5. Vehicle Financing: Partnership with UBA for vehicle financing scheme 'Drive to Own' enabling drivers to finance vehicles with low equity payments over 48 months.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CIG Motors distributes and locally assembles (CKD) passenger and commercial vehicles from Chinese OEMs (GAC Motor, JMC Motors, Dongfeng Motors, FAW Group, and Wuling Motors) across Nigeria and Africa. It sells these vehicles through showrooms, fleet/enterprise channels, and the LagRide e-hailing platform, while supplying authorized spare parts, after-sales service, vehicle leasing, and EV charging infrastructure.

Product overview

CIG Motors operates as an exclusive premiere distributor of multiple Chinese automotive brands (GAC Motor, JMC Motors, Wuling Motors, Dongfeng Motors, FAW Group) within Nigeria and Africa, operating a platform-plus-services model. The core product portfolio consists of passenger vehicles (GAC GA4, GS3, GS4, GS8, M8), commercial vehicles (JMC Vigus 1, Grand Avenue, Dongfeng M3 Plus, 1 Ton Truck), and electric vehicles (Wuling Mini Ev E50, Bingo, YEP). These are distributed through vehicle assembly operations (CKD assembly in Lagos and Abuja), a nationwide dealership network, and the proprietary LagRide e-hailing platform. Supporting services include spare parts supply, warranty/maintenance plans, after-sales service centers, EV charging infrastructure, car leasing, and vehicle financing partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LagRide: Smart taxi scheme and e-mobility service operating in Lagos, Nigeria
• GAC Motor
• JMC Motors
• Wuling Motors
• Dongfeng Motors
• Chief Diana Chen Foundation

Products and services

• GAC Motor Passenger Vehicles Premium passenger vehicles from China's GAC Motor distributed exclusively by CIG Motors in Nigeria and Africa; models include GA4, GS3, GS4, GS8, and M8 sedans and SUVs.
• JMC Motors Commercial and Passenger Vehicles Commercial and passenger vehicles from Jiangling Motors Corporation Group distributed by CIG Motors in Nigeria; lineup includes Vigus 1 pickup and Grand Avenue.
• Dongfeng Motors Commercial Vehicles Commercial vehicles from Dongfeng Motor distributed by CIG Motors in Nigeria; lineup includes M3 Plus and 1 Ton Truck, with EV passenger van assembly from imported kits.
• Wuling Motors Electric and Conventional Vehicles Affordable electric and conventional vehicles from Wuling Motors distributed by CIG Motors in Nigeria, including Bingo203 & 333, YEP, and Mini EV E50.
• CKD Vehicle Assembly Operations Completely Knocked Down (CKD) vehicle assembly at facilities in Lagos and Abuja, assembling vehicles from imported kits for GAC and other represented brands, including the first 2,000 units of GAC cars.
• LagRide Smart Taxi and E-Hailing Platform Proprietary smart taxi and e-hailing platform developed in partnership with Lagos State Government and Ibile Holdings, integrating EV transportation with booking and ride management technology.
• Vehicle Sales (Retail Showroom) Direct sale of new vehicles (GAC, JMC, Dongfeng, FAW, Wuling) to individual consumers and fleet buyers through showrooms and authorized dealers across Nigeria and Africa.
• Car Leasing Vehicle leasing services providing flexible mobility solutions for corporate and individual customers who need vehicles without ownership.
• EV Charging Stations Electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including five planned mega charging stations and energy management systems for the Lagos e-mobility rollout.
• Drive to Own Vehicle Financing Vehicle financing scheme launched with United Bank for Africa, enabling drivers (especially LagRide operators) to own vehicles through low-equity monthly payments over 48 months.
• Genuine Spare Parts Supply Authorized supply of genuine spare parts for GAC Motor and other portfolio brands, served through the distribution network across Nigeria.
• After-Sales Service and Warranty Plans Comprehensive warranty and maintenance plans plus after-sales service centers offering engine servicing, bodywork solutions, mobile on-the-go repairs, and early bird assistance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 89% of Customers Recommend CIG Motors
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Lagos State GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2024Groundbreaking joint venture to revolutionize e-mobility in Lagos by introducing 1,000 electric vehicles, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and positioning Lagos as a leader in green transportation. Partnership includes construction of five mega charging stations and development of e-mobility infrastructure.
• Ibile HoldingscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2024Joint venture partner with Lagos State Government and CIG Motors for e-mobility initiative. Managing Director Tobi Lawal highlighted environmental and economic benefits of the partnership focused on building a brighter and more connected future for Lagos residents.
• DavidoflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2024Brand partnership with award-winning artist David Adeleke (Davido) to drive youth inclusion in sustainable mobility. Partnership included rebranding of CIG Motors to CIG Mobility and activation of discount sales campaigns targeting young consumers.
• Hangzhou Vocational and Technical CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2024Chinese educational institution supporting Chief Diana Chen Foundation's scholarship program for 25 Yaba Tech students to study automobile engineering in China for 18 months.
• Yaba College of TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2024Nigerian educational institution partnering with Chief Diana Chen Foundation and Hangzhou Vocational and Technical College for scholarship program sending 25 mechanical engineering graduates to study automobile engineering in China.
• Chinese Consulate General in LagosminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2024Consul General Yan Yuqing supported the Chief Diana Chen Foundation scholarship initiative, underscoring bilateral Sino-Nigerian relations in education and technology transfer.
• FilmOneminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 February 2024Partnership with Nigeria's biggest film distribution business for exclusive event celebrating Funke Akindele's box office success. GAC Motor Nigeria presented a brand new GAC GS4 Luxury SUV to the actress.
• GAC MotorcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerExclusive premiere representative of GAC Motor brand in Nigeria and Africa market since 2013. Manages distribution networks, showroom operations, and introduction of seven GAC Motors models.
• JMC Motors (Jiangling Motors Corporation Group)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerExclusive partnership for Jiangling Motors Corporation commercial vehicles including Vigus 1 and Grand Avenue models in Nigerian market.
• Dongfeng MotorscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerExclusive partnership for Dongfeng Motor commercial vehicles including M3 Plus and 1 Ton Truck in Nigeria. Also collaborating on EV passenger van assembly from imported kits.
• FAW GroupcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerExclusive partnership for FAW Group vehicles in Nigerian market as part of portfolio of five major Chinese automotive brands represented.
• Wuling MotorscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerExclusive partnership for Wuling Motors including Bingo 203 & 333, YEP, and Mini EV E50 models in Nigerian market.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM): Nigerian-owned automotive manufacturer and assembler with plants in Nnewi. Most direct peer: also produces/distributes vehicles domestically in Nigeria, competing for government fleet contracts and the same local-assembly policy tailwind that benefits CIG.
• Coscharis Motors: One of Nigeria's largest multi-brand auto distributors (Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, etc.) with assembly, parts and after-sales. Closely comparable in scale of distribution, parts, and after-sales service footprint to CIG, but skews Western OEMs vs. CIG's Chinese OEM tilt.
• Elizade Nigeria: Major Nigerian auto distributor and assembler for Kia/Hyundai etc., with vehicle assembly capacity at its Ile-Oluji plant. Directly competes with CIG on Korean-Chinese passenger/SUV and assembly positioning.
• Mikano Motors: Nigerian distributor and assembler for Peugeot and other brands via Mikano Group. Comparable as a country-scale multi-brand distributor with assembly operations pursuing government and fleet deals.
• Nord Automobiles: Nigeria-based distributor focused on Chinese passenger vehicles (BAIC, etc.) with CKD assembly. Most head-to-head Chinese-brand peer, competing for the same Chinese-OEM-driven volume and the same Lagos/Nigeria dealer networks.
• Stallion Group (Stallion Motors): Nigeria's representative for Honda, Hyundai and other Asian OEMs with nationwide dealer and assembly footprint. Substitutable dealer channel to CIG for Asian-brand consumer and commercial vehicle buyers.

Regional players

• IVM/Innoson JV with SAIC (IVM/GAC-aligned): Various Chinese-OEM consortiums entering Africa (e.g., BAIC Africa, Geely/Proton Africa channels). These compete with CIG for distribution rights and overlap on import channels and government fleet bids across ECOWAS.

Broad incumbents

• CFAO Group (automotive division): Pan-African automotive distributor with Toyota, Suzuki and other franchises across West and East Africa. Incumbent regional peer at greater scale, competes with CIG on multinational fleet, government and B2B contracts across Africa.
• GAC Motor International (overseas arm): Chinese OEM parent of the marque that CIG distributes. Closely tied to CIG via the exclusive rep agreement; relevant as it controls product roadmap, EV launches (Aion series), and could bypass CIG if it shifts to direct Africa distribution.

Emerging players

• Moove (ride-hailing/vehicle financing): Africa-focused vehicle financing and ride-hailing mobility platform providing driver financing to Uber/Bolt drivers. Comparable on the financing-for-drivers side of LagRide and the UBA Drive-to-Own pool, with overlapping market in Nigerian urban mobility.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cig-motors-co-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/cigmotorsngr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CIG Motors