Nigerian B2B automotive startup Carbin Africa has announced a strategic partnership with Chinese automaker TIM Motors to roll out a new line of passenger vehicles across Nigeria. The collaboration marks TIM Motors’ official entry into the consumer car segment after years of focusing solely on commercial trucks and industrial clients. With Carbin Africa powering the distribution, this partnership is set to expand access to new vehicles in a market dominated by foreign-used cars.
TIM Motors Shifts Gears
TIM Motors, which has operated in Nigeria for over six years, is best known for distributing heavy-duty brands such as FAW, Sinotruk, and Shacman. Its core business has revolved around commercial trucking, equipment rentals, and after-sales service for industrial customers. With this pivot to passenger vehicles, the company is betting on Nigeria’s evolving auto landscape, where less than 5% of the population currently purchases new cars each year.
A Market Ready for Disruption
Nigeria’s new car market remains remarkably small, with just around 15,000 vehicles sold annually, according to Carbin Africa co-founder Fawaz Abdul. Factors such as currency volatility, high import duties, and limited consumer credit have pushed most buyers toward used or Tokunbo (foreign-used) vehicles. However, TIM Motors believes that with the right pricing and accessible financing, Nigerian buyers could begin opting for new models over aging imports.
Carbin Africa Anchors the Rollout
Carbin Africa will play a central role in the distribution of TIM’s passenger vehicles, leveraging its network of over 1,000 dealers across the country. While the company is known for facilitating digital inventory and sales for used cars, it will now extend its infrastructure to support new car sales as well. Despite this, CEO and co-founder Femi Oriowo reaffirmed that the company’s primary focus remains on the foreign-used vehicle segment, which continues to drive the bulk of its business.
Affordable Options for a Price-Sensitive Market
TIM Motors, led by CEO Leon Zhan, plans to offer its new passenger cars at competitive prices that undercut global brands like Toyota and BMW. As the cost of foreign-used cars continues to rise—with models such as the 2008 Toyota Camry now exceeding ₦7 million, approximately $4,800—Zhan anticipates a shift in consumer sentiment toward new vehicles. To encourage adoption, TIM Motors is also exploring flexible financing options that will make new car ownership more accessible to everyday Nigerians.
Strengthening Carbin’s Market Reach
Carbin Africa sees the partnership as a strategic enhancement to its growing automotive ecosystem. Already, the technology partner supporting Carloha Nigeria, Chevrolet’s exclusive distributor in the country, Carbin, is now positioned to capture more value across all segments of the vehicle market. Through its product offerings such as Dealer Mart, Car Flex, and Carbin Lease, the company aims to serve Nigerian-used, Tokunbo, and brand-new vehicle markets under a unified digital platform.
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter for Auto Sales
With rising inflation and a growing appetite for financing among middle-class Nigerians, the automotive industry appears poised for change. Carbin and TIM’s partnership signals a broader shift toward structured, tech-enabled car distribution that aligns with modern buyer expectations. As the first wave of TIM’s passenger vehicles enters the market, industry watchers will be tracking whether affordability and access can meaningfully change buying patterns in Nigeria.
Carbin Africa’s collaboration with TIM Motors reflects a timely move to diversify vehicle options for Nigerian consumers while positioning both companies for long-term relevance in an evolving market. With digital infrastructure, dealer networks, and a strategy that spans both used and new segments, Carbin is betting that its hybrid approach will deliver results. As TIM makes its mark in the passenger car space, the partnership may redefine what affordability and accessibility mean in Nigeria’s automotive landscape.
Source: Thecondia