₦airaland Forum

TechAI:
I specifically mentioned Japanese brands of cars because I’m not interested in Chinese brands. What I’m saying is that the 2012 Toyota Corolla we usually buy from the U.S. or Canada can also be found in countries like China, Qatar, and the UAE.

What I’m unsure about is whether there’s any real difference between them — and that’s why I’m making this post, to get some insight. The East is geographically closer to Africa than the West, which means lower shipping costs. Additionally, prices for these cars in the East are generally cheaper than in the West.

Aside from possible differences in durability, I’m not sure what else sets them apart. I’d really appreciate input from more experienced folks here.

owobokiri:
Trust America and her brothers..
The West has a special agreement with the Chinese government that prohibits
the sell of popular Western brands straight to other markets without going through the parent owners of the car companies.

Infact, apart from the models from the indigeneous Chinese car companies, most western brands are very costly in China, and that includes the Japanese . This effects their second prices.
As per the spare parts, most are already being imported from China ..

foodlum:
I come to China very often on business and I am currently here at the moment, having got here early last month.
I can authoritatively state that most cars Nigerians import from the US, Europe and UAE are plentiful here in China. The Toyotas, Hondas, Nissans, Benz, Volvo, Audi, Range Rover, etc are all here and much cheaper. In addition, they are mostly in much better mechanical and structural condition because China doesn't have the system of selling salvage/accidented cars to the public like it is done in the US and Europe. And so there is a massive endless supply of pre-owned vehicles at bargain prices. There is a problem however. It is extremely difficult to export used vehicles out of China. The bureaucratic and governmental red tape involved is daunting. EACH vehicle requires an export license before it can be cleared by customs for export. The process can take almost 2 months in some cases and the cost is prohibitive. Sometimes a car is deemed un-exportable by the government and thus cannot be issued an export license. Those that have tried to circumvent this process by hiding the vehicles inside containers have paid a heavy price.
Because of this, the massive pool of very clean and cheap used vehicles found all over China just sit down and waste away because no one wants to deal with the hassles involved in exporting them.

TechAI:
Thank you.

What prompted this thread were concerns about durability. You’re absolutely right about the pristine condition of the cars — especially when compared to those from the U.S., which are often accidented or flood-damaged.

My only hesitation has been around the durability of the cars. Something in me just felt they might be of lower quality or inferior in some way. Also, what about the issue of language barriers — like manuals and other information written on the cars?

miketayo:
My point is most of the cars cant be accidented or flooded cars, they wont last long on Nigerian roads

lonelydora:
The problem is those cars from the East are largely right-hand drive. Are you ready to do the conversion here in Nigeria?

Also, you don't get exactly the same model. Haven't you seen European-made and Eastern-made Camry, Corolla, Accord, Civic, Hiace, etc. Same engine and little difference in interior.
Another issue is bad wagon mentality of our people. Even though they have same engine, but they believe they are not strong

rajiedreez:
No cast update

TechAI:
Most of the cars we use in Nigeria are imported from Europe, Canada, and the U.S.

But are we aware that these same cars — especially popular Japanese brands — can also be purchased from China? Many of the models we get from the West are also available in the East, often at a lower cost, making them potentially more affordable to import.

Are there people already doing this in Nigeria, but it’s just not being talked about enough?

I’d like to request that this be moved to the front page for wider visibility. I’m planning to buy a car in the coming months and am currently doing my research.

Thank you in advance

ishayaauta:
the challenge is not getting it, what happens to spear parts availability, I fancy a lot of American brands, but omo! kazeem go use you see weyting no good at all

sonofsteven:
Most of the cars are accidental or has electrical faults, but in china it's relatively expensive because you are not buying a faulty car but direct tokunbo

China doesn't do open shipping, you go put for container

And there's what we call

ASIAN SPEC,EUROPEAN SPEC,CHINESE SPEC AND AMERICAN SPEC

Chinese SPEC are cars made for china, most of these car manufacturers have plants here, made for Chinese spec, Chinese cars are kinda light in weight, when you enter both,you go really know the difference

But overall, price differs due to the car conditions

Gerrard59:
This sounds logical. However, exporting second hand cars from Japan is relatively straightforward than what you describe in China. I think the pricing and the RHD are the reasons directly exported cars from Japan aren't popular in Nigeria. This is surprising considering all the mini-buses in Nigeria emanate from Japan and China.

tollyboy5:
Nice thread. Because I will be getting a Toyota soonest

ednut1:
Because most of the cars you see in Nigeria are stolen cars. Stolen cars are Cheaper to buy than buying from china. Stealing a car in china to export might cost you your life.

Also the west has organized/sophisticated auction process/systems that makes buy cars easier than in china

https://punchng.com/canada-lauds-customs-for-recovering-65-stolen-cars/?amp

https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifestyle/interpol-tracks-down-150-stolen-vehicles-from-canada-to-nigeria-other-african/c8lgdf9

TechAI:
They are now taxing Bolt for land use lmaoo

ADAMUdaCOWBOY:
Oga, the used cars imported from Europe and america are not cheap. These oyinbo people often laugh at us because of the high price we pay for these "Belgium" cars.

TechAI:
Most of the cars we use in Nigeria are imported from Europe, Canada, and the U.S.

But are we aware that these same cars — especially popular Japanese brands — can also be purchased from China? Many of the models we get from the West are also available in the East, often at a lower cost, making them potentially more affordable to import.

Are there people already doing this in Nigeria, but it’s just not being talked about enough?

I’d like to request that this be moved to the front page for wider visibility. I’m planning to buy a car in the coming months and am currently doing my research.

Thank you in advance

adecz:
Because you want to buy a single
car, you want to engage Nairalanders on
a chochocho marathon?


You can be sure that shipping cost from
China 🇨🇳 to west africa, Nigeria 🇳🇬 will be
3 times the cost of shipping 🚢 from Europe,
thereby canceling the seeming advantage
of buying cheaply from China.


In fact, a cargo ship from China will have to
voyage on 3 different oceans ( Pacific, Indian and
Atlantic oceans) to arrive at our coastal waters.

Mariangeles:
How are you so sure about that, huh?

You people sef!

1

ponziponzi:
Most used cars imported to Nigeria are obtained from auctions, which are mainly cars defined as severely damaged and deemed unrepairable by insurance companies.

And what is so special about Nigerian roads? All those Dangote trucks are Chinese, and they go over 1 million km.

ednut1:
u chatting rubbish. The cars are cheap. 2003 corrola price is equal to the monthly salary of a cleaner abroad

wunmi590:


Most Asian cars are right hand drive, which is not acceptable in Nigeria.

Furthermore, majority of all the korope you see in Nigeria are from Asia and they are converted to our own left hand drive which is very risky at the long run.. .

digitaccountant:
Low quality and regulations as compared with better spec from better regulated and advanced economics.

TechAI:
Looks like your wish came to pass huh?

miketayo:
Calm down with the 1 millions kms, do you know how many years it will take a vehicle to record 1m km and those trucks are mostly new.
And we talking about suv and sedans not trailers.
As your mechanic flooded cars are not the same, there is always an electric issue. Accidented cars varies if it's a write off they wont fix and send it. Most imported cars are driven out of the containers so they aren't severely damaged.

TechAI:
Most of the cars we use in Nigeria are imported from Europe, Canada, and the U.S.

But are we aware that these same cars — especially popular Japanese brands — can also be purchased from China? Many of the models we get from the West are also available in the East, often at a lower cost, making them potentially more affordable to import.

Are there people already doing this in Nigeria, but it’s just not being talked about enough?

I’d like to request that this be moved to the front page for wider visibility. I’m planning to buy a car in the coming months and am currently doing my research.

Thank you in advance

adecz:
Because you want to buy a single
car, you want to engage Nairalanders on
a chochocho marathon?


You can be sure that shipping cost from
China 🇨🇳 to west africa, Nigeria 🇳🇬 will be
3 times the cost of shipping 🚢 from Europe,
thereby canceling the seeming advantage
of buying cheaply from China.


In fact, a cargo ship from China will have to
voyage on 3 different oceans ( Pacific, Indian and
Atlantic oceans) to arrive at our coastal waters.

TechAI:
I specifically mentioned Japanese brands of cars because I’m not interested in Chinese brands. What I’m saying is that the 2012 Toyota Corolla we usually buy from the U.S. or Canada can also be found in countries like China, Qatar, and the UAE.

What I’m unsure about is whether there’s any real difference between them — and that’s why I’m making this post, to get some insight. The East is geographically closer to Africa than the West, which means lower shipping costs. Additionally, prices for these cars in the East are generally cheaper than in the West.

Aside from possible differences in durability, I’m not sure what else sets them apart. I’d really appreciate input from more experienced folks here.