Nigeria’s automobile sector has hit a major milestone with the unveiling of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company (IVM)’s first locally produced electric vehicle.

The vehicle, which has yet to receive an official model name, was manufactured at the company’s production facility in Nnewi, Anambra state. Cornel Osigwe, the company’s Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs, announced the development on Wednesday, September 11.

“I just test-drove the first Innoson Vehicles electric vehicle produced in Nnewi. We are just getting started,” Cornel captioned a video of himself driving the vehicle on Facebook.

While key details like pricing, production volume, and the commercial release date remain undisclosed, Osigwe later confirmed that the first batch of vehicles is currently not licensed for sale and, interestingly, sold out.

“For the record, the new Innoson electric vehicles, including the one I test-drove, have not yet been certified by our quality control department for sale,” he stated. “They are still undergoing final checks. Moreover, they have not been officially launched by the company, but I wanted to create a buzz ahead of the announcement, so I did my part. Since yesterday, we’ve received hundreds of inquiries and upfront payments from clients eager to be among the first to drive the Innoson Electric Vehicle. The initial set, limited in number, is now sold out.”

The release of Innoson’s first electric vehicle reflects the company’s commitment to reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported vehicles while aiming to make a mark on the global auto market. 

Though Hyundai’s Kona by Stallion Motors in 2021, was Nigeria’s first assembled electric vehicle, Innoson is poised to become the first company to produce electric cars for commercial sale locally.

Since it was founded by Innocent Chukwuma Nwala in 2007, Innoson has been striving to challenge the dominance of foreign-made vehicles in Nigeria by prioritising local production and assembly. The company claims that 70% of its vehicle components are sourced locally, a commitment that reinforces its reputation as the “Pride of African Roads.”

Over the past 17 years, IVM has developed more than 12 car models, expanding its reach beyond Nigeria to other West African markets, including Mali, Sierra Leone, and Ghana.