Qingling Delivers First Vehicles Under Nigeria KD Export Project

Qingling Motors has delivered the first batch of vehicles under its Nigeria KD export project, marking a new step in the company’s expansion into the West African market.

The first vehicle delivery ceremony was held at Qingling Motors on August 21 under the theme “Chongqing Vehicles Go Global.”

The event was attended by senior officials from Nigeria’s National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), representatives from Qingling Motors, Sigma International, Zhongjing Chengtou and Yidu Shangfu, as well as representatives from financial and logistics companies, employees and the media.

The project is part of Qingling’s efforts to expand its presence in Africa and support Chongqing’s “Chongqing Vehicles Go Global” initiative. It is also expected to strengthen trade and industrial cooperation between Chongqing and African markets.

Nigeria to Become Qingling’s Base for West Africa

At the ceremony, Chen Daijin, Deputy General Manager and Party Committee Member of Qingling Group, introduced the Nigeria KD project.

He said the project is an important part of Qingling’s international expansion strategy and supports the Belt and Road Initiative as well as Chongqing’s “Chongqing Vehicles Go Global” campaign.

Since 2026, the project has been developed under a strategic cooperation framework between Dadukou District and Qingling Motors. With support from Nigerian government agencies, the partners have conducted market research, business negotiations and resource integration to move the project forward.

Nigeria will serve as an important base for Qingling to expand further into West Africa.

The project will focus on the Nigerian market and cover Qingling’s full range of conventional and new energy commercial vehicles.

The partners will use a phased approach. Complete vehicles, or CBU units, will be exported to Nigeria first to enter the market and test local demand. At the same time, work will begin on a KD assembly line to support local vehicle assembly.

Under the project’s development plan, the partners aim to establish a market presence in the short term, increase sales in the medium term and expand into more markets over the longer term. Qingling expects the project to exceed 10,000 units within three years and become a key example of China-West Africa automotive cooperation.

Qingling Looks to Build Local Partnerships

Qingling Group Chairman and Party Secretary Luo Yuguang said China’s automotive industry has developed rapidly over the past 70 years.

In 2025, China’s vehicle production and sales reached 34 million units, accounting for about one-third of the global market. China has remained the world’s largest automotive producer and market for 17 consecutive years.

Chinese automakers are also expanding their global presence. Since 2023, China has ranked first in global vehicle exports for three consecutive years.

Luo also highlighted Qingling’s long history in China’s commercial vehicle industry.

Qingling produced Chongqing’s first commercial vehicle in 1969. In 1985, the company formed a joint venture with Isuzu, becoming the first Sino-foreign joint venture in Chongqing.

Today, Qingling offers a wide range of commercial vehicles, including pickups, mini trucks, light trucks and heavy trucks. Its product portfolio covers diesel, electric, hydrogen and hybrid power technologies.

The company has also established a complete commercial vehicle manufacturing system covering components, major assemblies and complete vehicles.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and most populous country, is an important business and trade center in West Africa. Its ports and transport links also connect the country with several landlocked markets in the region, making it an important hub for vehicle trade and logistics.

The new project brings together the strengths of several partners. NASENI will provide policy support, Sigma International will support local operations, and Yidu Shangfu will provide cross-border business resources.

The partners will work together to develop a stable and efficient local business and production system in Nigeria.

First Qingling Vehicles Delivered

The first batch of Qingling pickups was displayed at the ceremony.

Xu Dengke, General Manager of Qingling Motors, handed the keys to the first sample vehicles to Wang Shenghang, Executive Director and General Manager of Chongqing Yidu Shangfu.

The delivery marks a concrete step in Qingling’s efforts to develop a local presence in West Africa.

Going forward, Qingling will work with its partners to accelerate construction of the KD assembly line, increase production capacity and improve local sales and after-sales services.

The company also plans to introduce more Qingling commercial vehicle models to Nigeria and expand cooperation in local technology and industrial development.

Through the project, Qingling aims to build a long-term presence in Nigeria and create a stronger platform for China-Africa automotive cooperation, while contributing to local manufacturing, employment and economic development.

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