Crisis in the Azerbaijan Automobile Market: Causes and Consequences

Car sellers in Azerbaijan faced serious difficulties.

"Just a few months ago, a car could be sold for 22 thousand manats, but now it's difficult to find buyers even for 21 thousand. The reason is the decrease in purchasing power of the population against the backdrop of rising prices".

"Five months ago in this segment, a car was sold for 22,500, but now, even if you offer it for 21,000, no one even approaches. Everyone wants it for 16,000-19,000. I'm selling a 2017 car for 21,000, but for the same money, you can buy a new Chinese car with zero mileage. Everyone is buying it".

Such complaints can now be heard from sellers in the car market.

Official statistics confirm these words. According to the State Customs Committee, in January-February 2025, the average price of traditional passenger cars imported into the country increased by 4.5% compared to the same period in 2024 and amounted to $13,147.

At the same time, hybrid cars became cheaper by as much as 40%: if in the first two months of 2024 the average price of such cars was $32,178, in 2025 it decreased to $19,304. Electric vehicle prices also went down - by 7.4%, from $42,241 in January-February 2024 to $39,107 for the same period in 2025.

Expert Eldaniz Jafarov links the price reduction to illegal import of cars into the country: "If companies with official dealers and distributors sell a car, for example, for 50,000 manats, then cars manufactured for the domestic markets of other countries, say, for China, are imported and offered here at half the market price through various advertising campaigns. Although these cars don't have a manufacturer's warranty".

China is the main supplier of hybrid cars and electric vehicles to Azerbaijan. In January 2025, the average import price of hybrids from this country was $19,953, and electric vehicles - $27,772. Overall, the average price of a hybrid car imported into the country in January was $19,808, and an electric vehicle - $47,397.

More details in the Baku TV video report: