Carbin Africa, a fast-growing Nigerian B2B automotive startup, has announced a strategic partnership with TIM Motors, a Chinese automaker, to distribute a new line of passenger vehicles across Nigeria. This collaboration marks TIM Motors’ official entry into the consumer car segment, transitioning from its established footprint in commercial trucks and industrial transport.
TIM Motors has operated in Nigeria for over six years, primarily serving industrial clients with brands like FAW, Sinotruk, and Shacman. Its offerings have included heavy-duty trucks, equipment rentals, and after-sales services. The pivot to passenger vehicles signals a bold move into a market where new car ownership remains rare—with fewer than 5% of Nigerians purchasing new cars annually, according to Fawaz Abdul, Carbin Africa’s co-founder.
The total market for new cars in Nigeria hovers around 15,000 units per year, a figure dwarfed by the demand for foreign-used vehicles, commonly referred to as Tokunbo.
Founded to digitize and streamline automotive sales, Carbin Africa powers inventory and transactions for over 1,000 dealerships across Nigeria. While its core business remains focused on foreign-used vehicles, the company will support TIM Motors’ rollout of new passenger cars through its digital infrastructure and dealer network.
“We are focusing on the foreign-used component since that is our forte,” said Femi Oriowo, Carbin Africa’s CEO and co-founder. “We will also assist with the distribution of brand-new cars, but the foreign-used ones are our major focus.”
TIM Motors CEO Leon Zhan aims to disrupt the market by offering affordable alternatives to premium brands like Toyota and BMW. With prices for used models like the 2008 Toyota Camry now exceeding ₦7 million, TIM Motors is betting that competitive pricing and financing options will shift consumer interest toward new vehicles over the next five years.
The company’s strategy includes installment payment plans, dealer incentives, and after-sales support, designed to make new car ownership more attainable for middle-income buyers.
Carbin Africa’s partnership with TIM Motors adds a new dimension to its business model. Already supporting Carloha Nigeria, the exclusive distributor of Chevrolet, Carbin is now positioned to monetize across all segments of the automotive market:
- Nigerian used vehicles
- Tokunbo (foreign-used) cars
- Brand-new passenger vehicles
Its product suite—including Dealer Mart, Car Flex, and Carbin Lease—offers tools for inventory management, flexible financing, and leasing solutions, making it a one-stop platform for dealers and buyers alike.
As Nigeria’s automotive landscape evolves, partnerships like this one between Carbin Africa and TIM Motors could reshape consumer behavior and industry dynamics. By combining digital innovation, affordable financing, and strategic distribution, the two companies are laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and modern car market.
