Written by: Chukwudi Emmanuel Okonkwo (Emma), 39 years old

Transporter from Onitsha Main Market, Anambra State

Fleet of 13 trucks – mostly Lagos to Kano, Lagos to Maiduguri, and Lagos to Onitsha/Port Harcourt runs. We carry everything: rice, cement, building materials, drinks, electronics – whatever pays.

I bought this Foton Auman ETX 6x4 flatbed (the 2025 model with 420 hp Cummins and 16-speed ZF box) in January 2025 from the dealer in China. Today is September 10, 2025 – the truck has done 164,000 km and is still on the original clutch. That is the first thing I tell anyone who laughs and calls it “China toy”.

Why I took the risk: My 2017 European truck was giving me headache every month – injector problem, AdBlue sensor, gearbox ECU, parts from Dubai that take 3–4 weeks. One day the bill was ₦4.8 million just for repairs. I said enough. My cousin in Ghana had been running two Fotons for two years without drama, so I went to the Foton yard in Lagos, paid ₦112 million cash (yes, cash, that’s how we do), and drove it out the same day.

Real talk from Nigerian roads

We overload. Always. This truck is rated 55-ton GVW, but we regularly load 68–72 tons of cement or rice. The 420 hp Cummins ISGe5-420 and ZF 16-speed never cry. From Berger yard to Kano (1,050 km), fully loaded, it climbs the Lokoja hills and the escarpment before Jos without dropping below 6th gear.

Fuel? I get 2.1–2.3 km per litre loaded (that’s roughly 46–48 litres/100 km). Empty return I see 3.0–3.2 km/l. Better than my old truck that was doing 1.7 loaded.

The 7.5-ton front axle and 2×13-ton rears with hub reduction are strong. I have broken one rear spring at 98,000 km (overloading again), welded reinforcement plates in Kano for ₦85,000 and kept moving.

ZF gearbox shifts smooth, no more fighting with stiff synchronizers like the old 16-speed Eaton I had.

Air brakes + exhaust brake save my brake linings. I changed linings only once at 140,000 km.

Inside the cab – long-haul life

High-roof sleeper is big enough for two drivers to sleep comfortably. Fridge under the bunk keeps Malta Guinness and water cold even when outside is 42 °C in Sokoto. The AC is strong – important when you’re stuck in go-slow from Ore to Benin for six hours. I added extra fans and mosquito nets because Nigerian nights on the road are serious.

Breakdowns and repairs (the truth)

At 67,000 km – alternator bearing noise. Changed in Bauchi for ₦68,000.

At 112,000 km – one injector started misfiring. Replaced one injector (Cummins genuine) ₦420,000, labour ₦25,000. Same day job.

Normal service every 18,000–20,000 km at Foton workshop in Lagos – full service costs ₦380,000–₦450,000 including oil, filters, grease.

Parts are now plenty in Lagos (Idumota and Ladipo) and even Kano. No more waiting one month like European brands.

Money talk

This truck has paid for itself already. I make two round trips Lagos–Kano per month, sometimes three. After fuel, drivers, loading boys, and police money, I clear ₦4.2–₦4.8 million profit monthly from this one truck alone. My European truck was giving me half that after all the repairs.

I have already ordered another two units for delivery February 2026.

If you’re doing serious long-distance in Nigeria and you still believe “China truck no good”, come to Onitsha Main Market park and check the odometer yourself. The numbers don’t lie.

Chukwudi Emma Okonkwo

Onitsha, 10 December 2025