Elvis Mboya
The cost of owning and operating a vehicle in Namibia is rising sharply, even as Chinese manufacturers make significant inroads into the country’s N$1 billion automotive market, challenging established brands with more competitively priced models.
Rising fuel prices, maintenance expenses, spare-parts costs and insurance are putting motorists under increasing pressure, shifting attention from the initial purchase price to the overall cost of keeping a vehicle on the road.
Namibia registered 1 498 new vehicles in September 2026, representing a 14.9% increase compared with the same month last year. Their combined estimated list-price value was approximately N$1 billion.
Figures compiled by Simonis Storm Securities show that Chinese passenger vehicles averaged N$511 000, compared with N$615 000 for established brands, representing a price advantage of approximately 17%.
The difference widened to 30% in the light commercial vehicle segment, where Chinese manufacturers are increasingly competing for business customers and fleet operators.
The September vehicle-sales report, released on 15 October by Simonis Storm Securities, identifies JAC, LDV and BYD among the Chinese manufacturers gaining ground in Namibia.
JAC recorded 39 light commercial vehicle registrations in September, followed by LDV with 19 and BYD with eight. BYD’s registrations included its Shark 6 plug-in hybrid pickup.
Chinese brands accounted for 11.8% of light commercial vehicle sales and 13.6% of passenger vehicle sales during September.
The rising cost of ownership
However, lower purchase prices are meeting an increasingly expensive operating environment.
Simonis Storm Securities’ August 2026 vehicle-sales analysis, authored by associate economist Almandro Jansen, highlighted growing pressure on vehicle owners.
The report found that the broader vehicle-operation cost category, covering vehicle operation, spare parts, maintenance, licences and insurance, increased by 17.1% year-on-year in August, compared with 11.3% in July.
Transport inflation reached 13.2%, while fuel inflation accelerated to 25.1%.
Simonis Storm warned: “That last figure matters more for this report’s audience than the pump price alone.”
The firm described the increase in ownership expenses as “the clearest evidence yet that the cost of owning and running a vehicle in Namibia, not merely buying one, is rising sharply”.
The pressure has since intensified.
On 4 November, petrol 95 increased by N$2 per litre to N$28.58 at Walvis Bay. Diesel 50ppm rose by N$3 to N$30.86, while diesel 10ppm reached N$30.96.
Filling a 50-litre petrol tank now costs approximately N$1 429, excluding other vehicle expenses.
Minister of industries, mines and energy Modestus Amutse said international fuel prices had eased slightly, but shipping costs had increased by 40%, while vessel waiting costs had risen by 64%.
“Even after this increase, the adjustment does not cover the full cost [of importing fuel,” Amutse said.
For businesses operating delivery vehicles, construction fleets and logistics operations, higher fuel and maintenance expenses feed directly into operating costs and transport charges.
Toyota still dominates
Despite growing competition, Toyota remains firmly in control of Namibia’s new vehicle market. The manufacturer registered 854 vehicles in September, representing approximately 57% of total sales.
The Hilux remained the leading light commercial vehicle, recording 359 registrations. Ford Ranger registered 86, while Isuzu D-Max recorded 60.
For Chinese manufacturers, competitive pricing is opening doors, but sustained growth will depend on reliable servicing, accessible spare parts, dealer networks and consumer confidence.
A changing automotive market
Namibia registered 12 254 vehicles between January and September, representing a 12.4% increase compared with the corresponding period in 2025.
Third-quarter registrations reached 4 409, the strongest quarterly performance since the second quarter of 2016.
Simonis Storm identifies the N$300 000 to N$800 000 price range as the main competitive battleground.
For motorists, however, the purchase price is only part of the equation. Fuel consumption, servicing, insurance, replacement parts and resale value will increasingly influence buying decisions.
Namibia’s automotive market is expanding, but the next phase of competition will be determined not simply by who sells the cheapest vehicle, but by who makes it affordable to own and operate over the long term.
