When Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) recently unveiled its brand-new 5-seater SUV, the IVM G6TL, the automaker marketed it as a proudly “Made in Nigeria” vehicle. According to their promotional pitch, the SUV offers “effortless elegance” and “unshakable strength,” tailored for Nigerians who demand both comfort and command on the road.
But at Carmart.ng, we decided to take a closer look. A few Google image searches and specification comparisons later, we were staring at something unexpected — the IVM G6TL looks nearly identical, down to the body lines and dashboard layout, to another car: the Dongfeng Aeolus AX7.
Yes, the very same Dongfeng Aeolus AX7 — a compact crossover utility vehicle (CUV) produced by Dongfeng Motor Corporation under its Aeolus sub-brand since as far back as 2014. This isn’t just a coincidence. The design, the interior setup, the front fascia, and even the tech specs show that the IVM G6TL isn’t an original Nigerian innovation. It’s actually a rebadged version of the Aeolus AX7, more specifically, one of its recent facelifts — either the AX7 Pro or the AX7 Plus.
For context, the Dongfeng AX7 went through a few design updates over the years. The 2021 AX7 Pro and the 2022 AX7 Plus feature refined exterior designs, updated bumpers, and a sleeker profile. These are exactly the same design cues we’re seeing on the new IVM G6TL.
So what’s really happening here? From all indications, Innoson Motors isn’t building the IVM G6TL from scratch. Instead, it seems to be assembling Completely Knocked Down (CKD) or Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) units of the Aeolus AX7 right here in Nigeria, then rebadging them under the IVM logo.
Now, to be clear, there’s nothing illegal about assembling vehicles locally. It’s a common practice in the auto industry, especially in emerging markets. But calling the G6TL “Made in Nigeria” can be misleading when it’s essentially a repackaged version of a Chinese model.
The bigger issue isn’t just about origin — it’s about transparency. Nigerian car buyers deserve to know the true source of the vehicles they’re spending millions of naira on. If the IVM G6TL is based on the Aeolus AX7, then that should be made clear, especially since people buying Innoson often do so to support local innovation.
At the end of the day, Innoson’s role in local vehicle assembly is commendable. It creates jobs and strengthens Nigeria’s auto sector. But let’s not confuse assembly with full-scale manufacturing. Carmart.ng believes in giving consumers accurate information, and this discovery is a reminder that even when something is dressed in local branding, it’s always wise to look under the hood.
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