This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
The rapid growth of the Ivoirian consumer class makes this an important industry sector for this country.
Overview
In 2018, the Ivoirian government passed a law limiting the importation of private-use vehicles over five years old and mini-buses over seven years old. As a result, statistics from the Automotive Trade Professionals Association (Groupement Interprofessionnel Automobiles, Materials, et Equipementiers, GIPAME) show new car sales increased 16 percent from May 2018 to May 2019. Japanese brands lead the market, followed by European, Korean, and Chinese auto manufacturers. According to media reports, annual used vehicle imports decreased from 60,000 cars in 2018 to 7,000 in 2019.
The Italian automotive manufacturer Iveco formed a partnership with SOTRA, the government-owned public transportation company, and opened a vehicle assembly factory in 2018. The factory specializes in bus production and has the capacity to build 500 buses annually.
|
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Total Imports (vehicles) |
N/A |
367.1 |
350.7 |
|
Imports from the United States (vehicles and spare parts) |
18.6 |
16.6 |
19.1 |
NOTE: All figures are in millions of U.S. dollars; N/A =Not Available;
Source: Ministry of Economy and Finance, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. International Trade Administration
Leading Sub-Sectors
Best sales prospects include:
• Consumables: oil and air filters, wiper blades, hoses, gaskets and rings, engine parts, brake parts, exhaust system parts, car body parts
• Accessories: wheel covers, car/truck bed covers, car batteries, exterior accessory lights
• Auto security products
• Service equipment for electronic diagnosis, monitoring, testing and analyzing, wheel balancing, tire changing, oil changing
• Battery chargers, quick repair kits, tools, and paints
Opportunities
Excellent opportunities exist in importing U.S. second-hand cars that are less than five years old, buses that are less than seven years old, and vehicle spare parts.
Web Resources
Côte d’Ivoire’s Investment Promotion Centre (CEPICI)
Côte d’Ivoire Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Bureau National d‘Etudes et de Développement (BNETD)
Automotive Trade Professionals Association