Staff Writer
Namibia’s vehicle market recorded its strongest July since comparable records began, with 1 535 units registered during the month, up 17.6% from 1 305 units in July 2025, according to the latest monthly market analysis by Simonis Storm.
The July result represented a month-on-month increase of 0.8%. It was the fifth consecutive month in 2026 in which vehicle registrations exceeded 1 200 units, pointing to a sustained recovery in demand following the pandemic-era downturn.
A total of 9380 vehicles were registered during the first seven months of 2026, about 13% ahead of the corresponding period last year. The market is therefore on track to record its strongest annual performance in the modern dataset.
Passenger vehicles accounted for 755 units in July, while light commercial vehicles contributed 681 units. Extra-heavy vehicles recorded 64 units, representing a 52.4% increase from the comparable month last year.
The strong performance in extra-heavy vehicles could signal increased infrastructure and logistics activity as public-sector capital expenditure moves from planning towards implementation.
Toyota continued to dominate the market, registering 878 units in July, equivalent to 57.2% of total national sales. Its Hilux model alone accounted for approximately 480 light commercial vehicles, giving the model an estimated 70.5% share of the LCV market and more than 31% of total vehicle registrations for the month.
Volkswagen remained the second-largest manufacturer with 132 units, representing an 8.6% market share, while Ford ranked third with 62 units. Mercedes-Benz recorded 19 units, retaining its position in the premium segment.
At the same time, Chinese manufacturers continued to make significant inroads into Namibia’s passenger vehicle market.
Chinese brands sold an estimated 145 passenger vehicles in July, representing 19.2% of the passenger segment and the second-highest monthly penetration recorded, behind May’s 23.3%.
Jetour recorded 58 units in July, compared with only 12 units in July 2025. Haval contributed 45 units, GWM 30, while JAC, Chery and other Chinese brands accounted for a further 12 units.
The analysis attributes part of the competitive advantage of Chinese manufacturers to exchange-rate movements.
The Namibia dollar, which is pegged to the South African rand, has weakened by about 6.8% against the US dollar this year, while the Chinese yuan has remained relatively stable.
This has widened the cost differential between Chinese manufacturers sourcing in yuan and European and Japanese competitors whose products are priced in currencies such as the euro, yen or US dollar.
Chinese brands are also increasingly competing in price-sensitive segments. Their estimated share of the N$280 000 to N$380 000 passenger vehicle segment has reached 35% to 40%, while penetration in the N$180 000 to N$280 000 entry-level segment is estimated at close to 55%.
The Bank of Namibia’s decision to maintain the repo rate at 6.75% is also supporting vehicle demand by keeping financing conditions more favourable than during the tightening cycle.
Fleet procurement and government spending could provide additional support during the second half of the year.
The market analysis forecasts 15 500 to 16 500 vehicle registrations for the full year, requiring an average of about 1 345 units per month between August and December.
Longer term, the Final Investment Decision on TotalEnergies’ Venus deepwater project could significantly alter the market outlook.
The analysis estimates that a confirmed project could generate N$180 billion to N$220 billion in capital expenditure over four to six years, potentially lifting Namibia’s annual vehicle market above 20 000 units by the late 2020s.
