Kuwait Auto Market Mid-Year 2025: Winners, Losers & Trend

Kuwait Auto Market Mid-Year 2025: Winners, Losers & Trends

The Kuwaiti automotive market is on the move. In the first eight months of 2025, sales reached 94,508 vehicles, marking a strong +15.9% year-on-year growth compared to 81,534 units in the same period last year. This expansion reflects shifting consumer preferences, the growing presence of Chinese brands, and the continued dominance of SUVs on Kuwaiti roads.

Market Expansion: A Strong Start to 2025

Sales momentum remained steady throughout the year, with August emerging as the strongest month at 13,583 units. Despite fluctuations in individual months, 2025 consistently outpaced 2024, pointing to strong consumer demand and improved availability across dealerships.

At this pace, Kuwait is on track to surpass 140,000 cars sold by the end of the year, setting the stage for a potential record.

Where Kuwait’s Cars Come From

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When it comes to origins, the market is heavily concentrated:

• Japan: 39,571 units (41.9%)
• China: 25,455 units (26.9%)
• USA: 12,437 units (13.2%)
• South Korea: 8,570 units (9.1%)
• Germany: 4,419 units (4.7%)
• United Kingdom: 1,866 units (2.0%)

Together, Japan and China now account for nearly 70% of Kuwait’s car market, underscoring their central role in shaping supply and consumer choice.

Growth Drivers: Japan & China Lead the Way

Kuwait Auto Market Mid-Year 2025: Winners, Losers & Trend

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Between January and August 2025, Japan and China contributed 76% of total growth:

• Japan added +5,124 units.
• China followed closely with +4,761 units.
• The USA and South Korea also gained modestly (+681 and +781 units respectively), but both lost market share.

Kuwait Auto Market Mid-Year 2025: Winners, Losers & Trend

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The biggest story is China’s consistent market share gains. It added +3.7 percentage points, while the USA, Japan, and Europe lost ground.

Top Brands: Toyota Still Leads, Challengers Rising

The consumer preference for SUVs is unmistakable: 8 of the top 10 best-selling models are SUVs.

• Toyota Land Cruiser: 5,005 units
• Toyota Prado: 3,400 units
• Nissan Patrol: 3,001 units
• Jetour T2: 2,964 units
• GMC Yukon: 1,701 units

SUVs account for almost two-thirds of the market, reflecting both Kuwait’s lifestyle needs and global automotive trends.

Top Models: SUVs Dominate Kuwait’s Roads

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The consumer preference for SUVs is unmistakable: 8 of the top 10 best-selling models are SUVs.

• Toyota Land Cruiser: 5,005 units
• Toyota Prado: 3,400 units
• Nissan Patrol: 3,001 units
• Jetour T2: 2,964 units
• GMC Yukon: 1,701 units

SUVs account for almost two-thirds of the market, reflecting both Kuwait’s lifestyle needs and global automotive trends.

Concentration Risk: One Model Carries the Brand

Some brands remain heavily dependent on a single model, posing long-term risks:

• Omoda: 98% of sales from the C5.
• Jetour: 76% from the T2.
• GMC: 72% from the Yukon.

By contrast, diversified brands like Toyota and Nissan are better positioned to weather consumer shifts.

Winners & Losers: Shifting Fortunes

Not every brand benefited from Kuwait’s expanding market.

Winners:

• Jetour (+102%)
• GMC (+88%)
• Mitsubishi (+29%)
• Toyota (+10%)
• Nissan (+18%)
  

Losers:

• Geely (–48%)
• Dodge (–33%)
• Mazda (–26%)
• Isuzu (–16%)
• Ford (–8%)
  

The stark contrast highlights how quickly fortunes can change in this market.

‍Key Takeaways

1. SUVs rule the market – they are not just popular, they are dominant.
2. Chinese brands are surging, reshaping competition.
3. Concentration risk is real – some brands depend almost entirely on one hero model.
4. Japan’s leadership is steady, but it is gradually ceding share to China.

Final Thoughts

The Kuwaiti automotive market is evolving rapidly. For dealers, investors, and policymakers, the message is clear: adaptability matters more than ever. Brands that innovate, diversify their lineup, and anticipate shifting consumer preferences will capture the next wave of growth.

At Ali Bahbahani and Partners, we help businesses interpret these signals and turn them into strategy. If you’d like to explore how these trends affect your business, let’s talk.