Botswana Car Market is one of fastest growing in the sub Saharan Africa with market volume almost doubled between 2001 and 2011. Last market scored the all-time record volume increasing 11.2%. Toyota dominates the arena.
Like many other African countries, Botswana’s domestic new vehicle market makes up just a small percentage of the country’s total car fleet, as used cars dominate the landscape. However, imported second-hand cars are facing a rapid decline after the introduction of the Standards Import Regulations Act, implemented as of 1 April 2009 that is requiring a minimum age and a reliable usage conditions.
From the other hand, government is supporting the development of the automotive sector keeping the level of duties at lowest in the continent with actual tariffs on imported motor vehicles (new or pre-owned) averaging 12.5%.
Thus, in the 2013 according to data released by the National Central Statistics Office, the new Light Passenger Vehicles sales has been 6.513 units, scoring an increase of 11.2% from the previous year and the third consecutive annual rise, ranking as World’s 71st.
The market is dominated by Toyota despite in last years the share is declining and is now many points of share down from the 40% scored in 2009. In second place Nissan benefit from its LCV and off-road models while third is the German Volkswagen that found many customers for its small vehicle, Polo overall.
The fourth brand is Mazda that is scoring in Botswana one of the best performance in the entire continent with share around sixth percent and with the pick-up BT50 very popular. Behind there is a group of players leaded by Hyundai, Kia and Chevrolet.
