Kenya: Passenger Car Market 2024

Passenger Car Market Size in Kenya

The Kenyan passenger car market was estimated at $X in 2021, rising by 9.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption saw slight growth. Passenger car consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Passenger Car Production in Kenya

In value terms, passenger car production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 69%. Passenger car production peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

Passenger Car Exports

Exports from Kenya

In 2021, overseas shipments of passenger cars were finally on the rise to reach X units after two years of decline. Overall, exports, however, showed a perceptible contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 322% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X units. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, passenger car exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 312% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Uganda (X units), Tanzania (X units) and Zambia (X units) were the main destinations of passenger car exports from Kenya, together comprising 48% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Zambia (with a CAGR of +47.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Uganda ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for passenger cars exports from Kenya, comprising 43% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tanzania ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Zambia, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Uganda totaled +11.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tanzania (+10.6% per year) and Zambia (+44.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average passenger car export price stood at $X per unit in 2021, waning by -12.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, enjoyed a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 103%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per unit in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Burundi ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to South Africa (+16.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Passenger Car Imports

Imports into Kenya

Passenger car imports into Kenya rose significantly to X units in 2021, surging by 8.9% compared with the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 21%. Imports peaked at X units in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, passenger car imports expanded sharply to $X in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 22%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Japan (X units) constituted the largest supplier of passenger car to Kenya, with a 88% share of total imports. It was followed by South Africa (X units), with a 1.8% share of total imports. The third position in this ranking was taken by the UK (X units), with a 1.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Japan amounted to +5.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: South Africa (+21.1% per year) and the UK (-20.9% per year).

In value terms, Japan ($X) constituted the largest supplier of passenger cars to Kenya, comprising 74% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Africa ($X), with a 7.2% share of total imports. It was followed by the UK, with a 5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Japan totaled +2.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: South Africa (+20.2% per year) and the UK (-14.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average passenger car import price stood at $X per unit in 2021, remaining stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a perceptible curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the average import price increased by 9.9% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2014 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per unit), while the price for Japan ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+7.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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