Mauritius Registers 16,601 New Cars by July, Outpacing Used Imports

New vehicle sales in Mauritius have dominated the local car market from January to July, according to recent data from the National Land Transport Authority (NLTA). The figures, released in August, reveal a significant gap between the sale of new and used cars, even as government tax hikes have put the brakes on the industry.

In July alone, 2,565 new vehicles were registered compared to just 894 imported used cars. Over the first six months of 2025, 16,601 new vehicles were registered against 7,466 second-hand imports, showing a sustained demand for new models.

Among the used car market, Japanese brands continue to lead the way, with Suzuki dominating imports with 679 units in July. Kia (140) and Mazda (112) followed behind.

The hybrid vehicle segment is also seeing strong growth, reflecting a wider interest in more fuel-efficient cars, though a greater number of second-hand hybrids are being imported.

In July, 4,764 new hybrid models were registered, while a higher number of used hybrid cars (6,381) were imported, suggesting that financially accessible used models are a popular choice.

Despite this strong performance, the industry is bracing for an uncertain future. A series of government measures introduced in June and July have increased the cost of vehicle ownership.

These include the reintroduction of excise duties on hybrid and electric vehicles, increased excise and customs duties on conventional cars, a 30% hike in the first-time registration fee, and a higher Road Tax.

Following a rush to purchase cars in June ahead of the new taxes, the automotive sector remains in a state of uncertainty for the coming months.

Source: l’Express