SAGLEV Electromobility Co Nig. Ltd. and Dongfeng Motor Corporation Ltd., have unveiled a flagship, luxury, ultra-modern, and offloading electric Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) to support the Federal Government’s green environment initiative.
The SUV M-Hero 917, a full-size off-road luxury SUV built for extreme performance and control, was unveiled on Thursday, July 17, 2025, in Lagos.
Speaking at the unveiling, Dr Olugbenga Faleye, the Chief Executive Officer/Chairman, SAGLEV Electromobility, noted that Electric Vehicles (EVs) had comparative advantage over other vehicles, thus the need to assemble one in Nigeria.
“EV is the future, and it is here. There is no trial, it is in our DNA, and we are here to stay.
“SAGLEV is the first and only assembly plant in Sub-saharan Africa that exclusively manufactures electric vehicle, and we are happy to have partnered Dongfeng to actualise this.
“Dongfeng is the second largest automotive manufacturer in Asia and all our vehicles are Dongfeng vehicles.
“We think that the electric vehicle story is a story where Nigeria deserves to play appropriately. We don’t need to be importing cars.
“We are able to assemble vehicles here 100 per cent and that is what SAGLEV is here to show, that it can be done in Nigeria,” he said.
He said the company also assembles Bus Rapid Transit buses, and into e-hailing and corporate fleet.
He noted that assembling locally was very critical for economic growth and development because it creates jobs.
Faleye added that thw Federal Government zero import duties would boost adoption of local assembling of vehicles.
“SAGLEV currently has an assembly capacity of 2,500 cars per annum. We can assemble 10 daily.
“But what’s interesting is that we have excess capacity to go up to 10,000 cars per annum, because we can go two and a half shifts, six days a week,” he said.
Also speaking, the representative of Dongfeng, Ms Cherry Cao, said MHERO 917 was the first production model architecture and the world’s first premium electric of rotors available, both in pure electric and extended range versions.
Cao said it had over 1,000 horsepower and a zero to 100 kilometers per hour range of just 4.2 seconds.
“MHERO 917 delivers breathtaking performance key innovations such as mega power, electric joint train, all terrain intelligence system and rear wheel steer.
“This allows it to move seamlessly from city streets to any green weather scrolling 45-degree rock faces, 4,090 centimeters of water, or powering straight up to 1,000 metre heavily lit in the tender desert.
“The MHERO 917 have accomplished these once reserved one for the world’s most legendary of brooders,” she said.
It features over 1000 horsepower, a four-motor all-wheel-drive system and advanced off-road capability.
The body is built for strength and utility, the cabin designed for comfort and technology. It handles rough terrain, deep water, steep slopes and city roads with the same power and stability.
The vehicle combines electrical performance, rugged design and smart features in one solid package.
By Chiazo Ogbolu