What it takes to buy a Tesla in Nigeria

OMONO OKONKWO FROM NAIRAMETRICS

…Cost of importing a Tesla into Nigeria: The cost of importing a Tesla will mostly depend on the preference of the end user. Mr Idowu told Nairametrics that the cost varies according to the Tesla model picked by the client. He said anyone looking to buy a 2020 to 2022 Tesla model, should know that their prices are the same. He said: 

• “A 2023 Tesla will be more expensive because it is the latest in design. The model will also play a role in determining the price of a Tesla. Tesla has various kinds of models, they are: Model 3, Model S, Model X and Model Y. The last 2020 Tesla Model S that I shipped in for a client earlier this year, cost $80,000 for the vehicle and N17.5 million for the clearing/processing when the vehicle got to Nigeria. 
• “At the N750/$1 rate today, December 19, it will cost an end user about N78,875,000 to import a Tesla into Nigeria, inclusive of clearing costs at the port and charging infrastructure.” 

It is important to note that the cost of an imported Tesla vehicle also covers the charging accessories the vehicle needs.  

According to Mr Idowu, the clearing cost for the Tesla vehicle highlighted is expensive, however, other vehicle brands are more expensive to process when they arrive in the country. He provided some context with a Rolls Royce he imported recently. He said: 

• “I recently imported a 2022 Rolls Royce Cullinan and I was given a quote of almost N100 million to clear the vehicle at the port and that is just for one car. I also recently imported three units of Lamborghini Urus and I paid N117 million for clearing them. Also, it cost N199 million to clear six units of G-wagon vehicles. These quotations are more expensive than the Tesla earlier cited.” 

Likely challenges you may face: Sources at the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) told Nairametrics that Tesla vehicle importers will likely not encounter challenges when importing a Tesla into Nigeria, except when it comes to congestion at the country’s ports.  

• Congestion at Lagos ports plays a role in the delay factor when it comes to the importation of Tesla vehicles. Nigerian car importers usually anticipate delays when running their business, so they add an extended period for clients before collection, to avoid being put under pressure as a result of wrong deadlines which are caused by delays at the ports. 
• The sources at NADDC also confirm that the best way to reduce stress when importing a Tesla into the country is to use an active car importer who already understands the business and has the contacts to facilitate the process.  
• While chatting with Nairametrics, Mr Idowu, the CEO of Mayfair Autos Limited, said his experienced team works together to ensure the smooth passage of vehicles into the country. This way, challenges are minimal because there is already a working structure to get things done.  
• According to him, the only thing that the end user needs after importing a Tesla is to get a service provider to set the Tesla car up with charging infrastructure, and a direct link to a constant power supply.