Despite the fact that China is probably the biggest market in the world for importation of various products, shippers have highlighted reasons behind less importation of used vehicles from the Peoples Republic Of China to Nigeria.
Auto Port Weekly investigations revealed that the distance from China to Nigeria is one of the major reason behind Nigerian shippers’ lukewarm attitude to importation of vehicles from that country.
Although new cars imported into Nigeria in large units are from China but used vehicles appears extremely few based on some factors associated with sales.
A cross section of car dealers who spoke with our correspondent last week also highlighted that cost of freighting is twice what is obtainable in Europe and America.
The operators also affirmed that China as a global market does not have a market for used vehicles because of the large population and the people from neighbouring countries like India.
A frontline importer of used cars; Uzunuoma Stephens said that scouting for used vehicles in China is uncommon, saying that African importers are uninterested in shipping cars from China as such.
He said the hallmark of every good business is to make profit and shipping used cars from China is not worth it.
He said that freight rates are twice what Europe and American carriers charge adding that other items.
The dealer said China made laptops; Ipad, phone, shoes, dress, electronic s, etc sell better in Nigeria, than other items.
"Even though we have the Toyota, Mitsubishi, Honda, Lexus and others being manufactured in China, Nigerians are not interested to ship in cars from that country.
Highlighting some of the challenges to Auto Port Weekly, the importer opined that the distance from Asia to Africa attract extra cost to ship cars.
He added that "it is worthless to import cars to Nigeria because China is not a market for used cars.
Also speaking ,Mr. Dennis Chukwuemeka said in China to the process of scouting for used cars is cumbersome adding that the terms and agreement for fairly used cars is not suitable for businessmen in Nigeria.
He added "there are some important things you need to agree upon apart from the price of the car"
Listing the challenges, the dealer said, "you will have to discuss and agree on the method of shipment and mode of payment; which most times scarce us away"
"If one is not careful , the method of shipment is another critical factor that will determine the cost of that car, because the nature of the shipment will highly influence the price of that car when it eventual gets to Nigeria'', he explained.
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