2 days ago
Iraqi car market sees massive surge in Chinese vehicle sales in H1 2025
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi car market is witnessing a dramatic shift, with Chinese vehicle sales soaring by an impressive 80% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Over 18,000 cars from China have been imported into the country during this period, significantly up from approximately 10,000 units sold in the first half of 2024.
This remarkable surge signals a burgeoning demand among Iraqi consumers for Chinese automobiles, a trend extensively analyzed by the Iraq Future Foundation for Economic Studies and Consultations. According to the foundation, the increase is primarily driven by the attractive combination of competitive pricing and robust features offered by Chinese models.
Amir Al-Janabi, a leading expert in the Iraqi car market, highlighted in an exclusive interview with IraqiNews that consumer confidence has been significantly bolstered by the after-sales services. Official Chinese brand dealerships are providing a critical two-year average warranty, which covers repairs and malfunctions directly and free of charge. This comprehensive warranty is proving to be one of the most influential factors shaping purchasing decisions in the Iraqi market. Given these compelling advantages, Al-Janabi anticipates continued and even greater growth in Chinese car sales throughout the second half of this year. 'Chinese cars are no longer viewed as lower quality; they are shaping the future of the automobile industry.' Al-Janabi to IraqiNews.
Major Chinese brands actively establishing their presence and driving this market shift in Iraq include MG, Changan, and Jetour. Their diverse offerings are catering to a growing segment of Iraqi buyers.
A broader regional trend supports this local boom. The Iraq Future Foundation's report also indicates that Chinese car exports to Middle Eastern countries collectively experienced substantial growth in the first half of 2025. The total number of vehicles exported to the region increased by 65%, reaching over 584,000 units, up from 353,000 in the corresponding period of 2024. The overall value of these regional exports climbed to approximately $7.7 billion, a significant jump from $4.5 billion in the first half of 2024. This data underscores China's expanding footprint and rising demand for its vehicles across regional markets.
