After facing a substantial setback with a 31.2% decline in 2021, Cameroon's auto market experienced a notable resurgence in 2022, reporting a 4.5% increase in new vehicle sales, totaling 1,900 units. This positive momentum was sustained throughout the year, marking a promising trend for the country's automotive sector.
Market Performance in 2022
Cameroon's auto market rebounded impressively in 2022, recovering from the previous year's challenges. The 1,900 new vehicle sales represented a 4.5% growth, signifying a robust comeback for the industry. The market demonstrated consistent growth almost every month of the year, instilling confidence in the resilience and potential of Cameroon's automotive landscape.
Brand-wise Analysis
Analyzing cumulative data for 2022, Toyota maintained its leadership position with a commanding 60.2% market share. The brand also recorded a 9.5% increase in sales compared to the previous year.
Mercedes secured the second position despite a 36.8% loss in sales, highlighting the competitive dynamics within the market. Isuzu claimed the third spot, experiencing a 2.2% increase in volume and securing a 4.9% market share.
Medium-Term Market Trends
Cameroon's vehicle sector has been predominantly influenced by imported used vehicles, facing challenges in new car registrations over the past years. The market declined from 3,752 units in 2016 to 3,116 in 2017, with marginal growth recorded in 2018 at 3,152 units.
However, the sector displayed signs of a modest recovery in 2019, reporting full-year sales of 3,279, marking a 4% increase from the previous year.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the automotive landscape in 2020, resulting in a notable decline of 19.5% compared to 2019, with full-year sales at 2,641 units. The aftermath of the pandemic continued to affect the market in 2021, leading to a substantial 31.2% decrease in sales, totaling 1,818 new registrations.
Outlook and Resilience
The resurgence witnessed in 2022 suggests a positive outlook for Cameroon's auto market. The consistent growth throughout the year reflects the sector's resilience in overcoming challenges. The dominance of Toyota in market share and the varied performance of other brands underscore the competitive dynamics within the industry.