Which Country Imports the Most Passenger Cars in the World?

IndexBox has just published a new report "World: Passenger Cars - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025". Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

In 2016, the global passenger car imports stood at 86M tonnes, ascending by 4% against the previous year figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2007 to 2016- the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations over the period under review. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2011, when import increased by 8% from the previous year level. Over the period under review, global passenger car imports reached its maximum volume in 2016, and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, passenger car imports totaled $706B in 2016. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2007 to 2016- the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, global passenger car imports reached its maximum level of $707B in 2014- however, from 2015 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

Top Passenger Car Importing Countries in the World

1. USA (173.3 billion USD)

2. Germany (51.3 billion USD)

3. United Kingdom (45.6 billion USD)

4. China (44.0 billion USD)

5. France (31.9 billion USD)

6. Belgium (31.4 billion USD)

7. Italy (27.5 billion USD)

8. Canada (26.4 billion USD)

9. Spain (18.3 billion USD)

10. Japan (10.3 billion USD)

11. Mexico (9.9 billion USD)

12. South Korea (9.3 billion USD)

Passenger Car Imports By Country

The imports of the three major importers of passenger car, namely the U.S., Germany, and Japan, represented more than third of total import. It was distantly followed by South Korea (4.9M tonnes), mixed up 6% share of total passenger car imports. The following importers - China (3.5M tonnes), Spain (3.5M tonnes), the UK (3.4M tonnes), Canada (3.2M tonnes), Mexico (3M tonnes), Belgium (2.8M tonnes), France (2.5M tonnes), and Italy (2.4M tonnes) together made up 28% of total imports.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of passenger car imports, among the main importing countries, was attained by China (+19.8% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the U.S. ($173B) constitutes the largest market for imported passenger car worldwide, making up 25% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Germany ($51B), with the share of 7% of global imports. It was followed by the UK, with the share of 6%.

In the U.S., passenger car imports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2007-2016. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates: Germany (+1.7% per year) and the UK (-1.1% per year).

Passenger Car Import Prices By Country

The average passenger car import price stood at $8,184 per tonne in 2016, approximately equating the previous year level. Overall, passenger car import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010, an increase of 9% against the previous year level. Global passenger car import peaked of $8,435 per tonne in 2014- however, from 2015 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

There were significant differences in the average import prices amongst major importing countries. In 2016, the country with the highest import prices was the U.S. ($13 per kg), while Japan ($1,171 per tonne) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of passenger car import prices was attained by South Korea (+14.4% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Do you want to know more about global passenger car market? Get the latest trends and insight from our report. It includes a wide range of statistics on

• passenger car market share
• passenger car prices
• passenger car industry
• passenger car sales
• passenger car import
• passenger car export
• passenger car market forecast
• passenger car price forecast
• key passenger car producers

All data provided in this article covers the following product: HS Code 8703 - Motor cars and other motor vehicles- principally designed for the transport of persons (other than those of heading no. 8702), including station wagons and racing cars.

Source: World: Passenger Cars - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025