A Market Built on Secrecy

Nigeria’s car importation sector has long operated under opaque structures.
Buyers negotiate prices based on the dealer’s claim, yet rarely receive:

• A cost breakdown
• Proof of actual purchase price
• Real shipping records
• Real-time tracking
• Honest clearing details

Behind the scenes, industry insiders acknowledge — off the record — that most prices given to customers include layers of markups far beyond the true cost of importation.

A dealer may claim a car costs ₦15 million, when in reality the total importation cost may be between ₦8m – ₦10m.

This secrecy fuels profit margins unseen in many sectors of the economy.

CME Autos Breaks Industry Norms

CME Autos has stirred controversy by publishing transparent breakdowns of:

• Car cost
• Shipping
• Clearing
• Documentation
• Delivery fees

The company insists that customers should know every detail, a stance that has made many traditional car dealers uncomfortable.

An automobile consultant in Lagos (who requested anonymity) commented:

“The industry is not used to transparency.
For a company to show customers real figures is almost like exposing trade secrets.”

Why Many Dealers Dislike Price Transparency

Transparency exposes three things:

1. Real Importation Costs

When customers see the true cost of buying from China, they begin to question why local prices are double.

2. Excessive Markups

Some dealers add ₦2m–₦5m profit margins on a single car.
Removing secrecy removes these margins.

3. The Hidden-Charges Ecosystem

Many dealers rely on last-minute extra fees to boost profit after customers have already paid deposits.

By openly addressing these practices, CME Autos is challenging the deep-rooted culture of hidden earnings.

The Company’s Transparency Model

CME Autos has introduced unusual practices for the Nigerian auto market:

• Clear pricing from day one
• A documented 80/20 payment system
• Real-time ship tracking
• Proof of purchase
• Zero hidden charges
• Delivery timelines of 6–8 weeks

These practices have won public support but have also drawn resistance from competitors who prefer the old system.

A Market Forced to Rethink Its Ways

CME Autos’ position raises new questions for Nigerians:

• Why have car prices been so high for so long?
• Why is transparency rare in an industry dealing with millions of naira per transaction?
• Why do hidden charges remain normalized?
• And most importantly — who benefits from the secrecy?

With Nigerians becoming more informed, more connected online, and more demanding of accountability, the auto sector may be approaching a turning point.

The Silence Has Been Broken

By publicly calling out long-standing practices, CME Autos has positioned itself at the center of a national conversation—one that many dealers hoped would never reach the light.

Whether the entire industry will embrace transparency or continue to resist remains to be seen, but one thing is clear:

The truth is now out.
And Nigerian car buyers are finally paying attention.