Market Trend and Outlook

Oman’s light vehicle market in September 2023 falls for the 9th month in a row, with new registrations at 4,093 (-31.2%). YTD figures at 41,498 are down 14.6% from the previous year.

Looking at cumulative data up to September 2023 brand-wise, the leader Toyota is on top of the rankings with 47.4% market share and 19,667 sales (-9.0%) and a huge gap over all others.

In second place MG with 4,271 units sold (+14.7%), followed by the Hyundai reporting a strong loss in volume and accumulating 3,015 sales (+21.4%).

Looking at specific models the Toyota Hilux maintains leadership despite reporting a 35.5% year-on-year loss in sales, followed by the Toyota Land Cruiser up 8.7%.

Medium-Term Market Trend

Omani vehicles market was one of the fastest-growing worldwide in the period 2003-2013 and, at the end of a long series of annual all-time records, the market achieved a significant level of 213,000 sales in 2013.

Unfortunately, the economic crisis created by the fall of oil price in the international market and the persistently low level of this primary resource for the country economy severely hit the demand for consumers good, and the new vehicles market started a decline not yet ended.

Despite postponing the VAT introduction, the government has not been able to improve the economic trend, and even in 2019, the new light vehicles market has lost terrain. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic sales further fell in  2020 and in 2021 the recovery did not started with sales reaching the lowest level in the last 15 years at 74.700.

In 2022 Oman’s economic recovery is gaining traction, supported by revival in the hydrocarbon sector and the relaxation of Covid-19 social restrictions. High oil prices, continued fiscal consolidation under the authorities’ Medium Term Fiscal Plan, and determined implementation of structural reforms under Oman Vision 2040, are expected to generate fiscal and external surpluses and support higher growth over the medium term. However, heightened global uncertainties continue to cloud the outlook, with downside risks dominating in the short run.

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for top 10 Brands and top 10 models.

Market Trend and Outlook

Oman’s economic recovery is gaining traction. Strong vaccination efforts have allowed for the relaxation of all social distancing restrictions. Overall GDP growth rebounded from -3.2 percent in 2020 to 3.0 percent in 2021, and is projected at 4.3 percent in 2022, supported by increased hydrocarbon production and continued recovery of non-hydrocarbon economic activity.

However, demand for new vehicles still remains low in 2022. The Light Vehicle Market this year falls for the 9th year in a row, totaling 64,331 sales (-10.8%). Despite reporting substantial losses throughout the 2022, the year ends with December posting an 11.2% increase in sales with 6,000 new registrations.

Looking at cumulative data from 2022 brand-wise, the leader Toyota is back over 44% market share with 30,111 sales (-10.1%) and a huge gap over all others.

In second place Nissan sold 7,371 units (-41.8%) while the Chinese MG kept gaining reaching the third position with 5,157 sales (+50.3%).

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for top 10 Brands and top 10 models.

Market Trend

The Oman car market this year was unable to recover effectively, reporting a positive performance only in Q2.

Omani vehicles market was one of the fastest-growing worldwide in the period 2003-2013 and at the end of a long series of annual all-time records, the market achieved a significant level of 213,000 sales in 2013.

Unfortunately, the economic crisis created by the fall of oil price in the international market and the persistently low level of this primary resource for the country economy severely hit the demand for consumers good, and the new vehicles market dropped down for the following 5 years, ending 2018 at 127,546 units, near 40% below the record.

Despite postponing the VAT introduction, the government has not been able to improve the economic trend, and even in 2019, the new light vehicles market has lost terrain. Indeed, Total sales in 2019 have been 111,608, down 12.5%

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic sales fell in  2020. In fact, 74,600 units have been sold, reporting a decline of 33.2% compared to 2019.

In 2021 the year started negatively for the Oman market, in fact, in Q1 21,495 units have been sold, reporting a 13.1% decrease in sales compared to Q1 2020, while in Q2 sales increased quickly, reporting a 115.3% increase in sales with 17,406 units sold due to the extremely low sales experienced in Q2 2020.

In Q3 17,936 units have been sold, reporting a decrease of 8.4% sales, and in Q4 sales were 17,544 (-21.4%).

Indeed, Full-Year sales for 2021 have been 74,381, reporting a 0.5% decrease compared to 2020.

Brand-wise, this year the leader Toyota (+3.2%) gained 1.8% market share, while in second place we have Nissan (-29.6%), which lost 7.1% share, followed by Hyundai -up 2 spots- which gained 1.3% share, gaining 32.8%.  MG –up 3 spots- reached 4th place and reported the best performance by rising 102.5%, followed by Lexus which fell 2 spots and fell 12.6%.

Isuzu gained 36.4%, followed by Kia (-24.8%) -down 3 spots-, and Mitsubishi which gained 27.2% sales. Closing the leaderboard we have Mazda gaining 23.8% this year and Honda -up 1 spot- in last place gaining 17.7%.

The most sold vehicle this year is the Nissan Sunny (+16.7%) with 10,920 units sold, followed by the Toyota Hilux (+47.3%) registering 10,717 new sales this year. The Toyota Land Cruiser P/U (-20.1%) closes the podium and reports 6,092 new units sold.

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for top 10 Brands and top 10 models.

Market Trend

The Omani car market has been hit in 2020 by the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic and by the fall of oil price in the international markets, which have impacted sales significantly.

After starting the year very positively (+18.4% in January and +27.9% in February), the market quickly collapsed in March as the virus struck, followed by the quick fall of the oil price. The sharpest drop in sales this year was in April when sales declined by 77.5%. The market did not recover very effectively for the rest of the year, in fact, all the following months reported double-digit sales drops. 

Indeed, Full-Year sales for 2020 have been 74.600, reporting a decline of 31.3% compared to 2019.

Brand-wise, this year the leader Toyota (-42.7%) gained 7.3% market share, reaching over 50% of all vehicles sold in the country. In second place we have Nissan (-1.2%), which gained 7.9% share, followed by Lexus -up 1 spot- which lost 0.7% share, falling 423%.  Kia –up 1 spot- reached 4th place and lost 27.2%, followed by Hyundai which fell 2 spots by reporting the worst performance in the leaderboard (-56.2%).

Isuzu remained in 6th place and lost 7.1%, followed by MG (+111.9%) -up 8 spots-  which reported the best performance in the leaderboard, and Mitsubishi -down 1 spot- which lost 31.9% sales. Closing the leaderboard we have Mazda -down 1 spot- losing 50.2% this year and Jeep -up 2 spots- in last place losing 13.3%.

The most sold vehicle this year is the Nissan Sunny (+35.2%) with 9.354 units sold, overtaking the Toyota Land Cruiser P/U (-13%) registering 7.623 new sales this year. The Toyota Hilux (-41.3%) closes the podium and reports 7.278 new units sold.

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for top 10 Brands and top 10 models.

Market Trend

The Omani car market has been hit in 2020 by the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic and by the fall of oil price in the international markets, which have impacted sales significantly.

After starting the year very positively (+18.4% in January and +27.9% in February), the market quickly collapsed in March as the virus struck, followed by the quick fall of the oil price. The sharpest drop in sales this year was in April when sales declined by 77.5%. The market did not recover very effectively for the rest of the year, in fact, all the following months reported double-digit sales drops. 

Indeed, Full-Year sales for 2020 have been 74.600, reporting a decline of 31.3% compared to 2019.

Brand-wise, this year the leader Toyota (-42.7%) gained 7.3% market share, reaching over 50% of all vehicles sold in the country. In second place we have Nissan (-1.2%), which gained 7.9% share, followed by Lexus -up 1 spot- which lost 0.7% share, falling 423%.  Kia –up 1 spot- reached 4th place and lost 27.2%, followed by Hyundai which fell 2 spots by reporting the worst performance in the leaderboard (-56.2%).

Isuzu remained in 6th place and lost 7.1%, followed by MG (+111.9%) -up 8 spots-  which reported the best performance in the leaderboard, and Mitsubishi -down 1 spot- which lost 31.9% sales. Closing the leaderboard we have Mazda -down 1 spot- losing 50.2% this year and Jeep -up 2 spots- in last place losing 13.3%.

The most sold vehicle this year is the Nissan Sunny (+35.2%) with 9.354 units sold, overtaking the Toyota Land Cruiser P/U (-13%) registering 7.623 new sales this year. The Toyota Hilux (-41.3%) closes the podium and reports 7.278 new units sold.

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for top 10 Brands and top 10 models.

Economic Environment

Economic growth slowed in 2019, as suggested by a year-on-year dip in oil production in January–November. Moreover, the non-oil economy remained subdued: Bank lending to the private sector remained downbeat through November, potentially dampening both private consumption and fixed investment.

In addition, government spending dropped slightly in January–November, while a sharper fall in revenues resulted in a small widening of the fiscal deficit. On the external side, although the merchandise trade surplus widened in January–September, this was due to imports dropping faster than exports. More positively, however, inflation was muted in January–November, boding well for private consumption.

Oman plans to introduce value-added tax in 2021. All six Gulf Arab states agreed to introduce 5% VAT in 2018 after that the slump in oil prices hit their revenues, but Oman, whose financial position is the weakest of the six, delayed the tax introduction, initially at September 2019 and now in the 2021.

Market Trend

Omani vehicles market was one of the fastest growing worldwide in the period 2003-2013 and at the end of a long series of annual all time record the market achieved the significant level of 213.000 sales in the 2013.

Unfortunately, the economic crisis created by the fall of oil price in the international market and the persistent low-level of this primary resource for the country economy, severely hit the demand for consumers good and the new vehicles market dropped down for the following 5 years, ending the 2018 at 127.546 units, near 40% below the record.

Despite postponing VAT introduction, the government has not been able to improve the economic trend and even in 2019 the new light vehicles market has lost terrain. Indeed, Total sales in 2019 have been 111.608, down 12.5%.

Toyota was the leader in Oman as in the rest of the region and in 2019 obtained a market share above 50% with a wide gap over the closer challengers which were Nissan and Hyundai, ending respectively with 16.3% and 5.6%.

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for Top Brands

Oman Auto market in 2018 posted the 5th fall in a row with 127.546 sales (-13.9%) at the lowest level in this decade. The market suffer the reduced public investment and spending and the austerity measures aiming to support the fiscal budget, as oil price revenues fall. Outlook is still not positive

Economic Environment

Oman economy performed well in 2018 as higher average oil and gas prices, coupled with increased hydrocarbon output, translated into stronger public finances and export growth.

Government revenue climbed by over a third in the January–November period compared to the same period a year earlier, leading the fiscal deficit to fall by over 40%. Meanwhile, in January–September, merchandise exports also climbed by over a third year-on-year.

Increased output from the Khazzan-Makarem gas field, stronger fixed investment and the government’s push to strengthen non-hydrocarbon output should support overall economic growth this year. Nevertheless, the economy still faces large fiscal imbalances, weighing on prospects.

VAT Introduction

Back in June 2016, all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states signed the Common VAT Agreement. It was agreed that each GCC Member State would introduce a VAT system at a rate of 5%.

In early 2018 Oman’s Ministry of Finance postponed the introduction date of the new VAT system, it is expected to be implemented in 2019. Oman’s Minister of Finance, Darwish bin Ismail al-Balushi, approved the introduction of VAT on March 28 via Ministerial Decision No. 64⁄2018.

A late September 2018 report in the Gulf Digital News (GDN) website stated that Oman would introduce VAT on September 1, 2019.

Market Trend

Omani vehicles market hit an impressive all-time record in the 2013 with 213.000 sales, following a ten years long rally, but losing fuel for further growth. In the 2014 it was stable before to start falling down, hit by several factors, including oil price decrease, cut of public investment and spending, introduction of austerity measures to support fiscal budget.

Finally, the introduction of VAT system, initially scheduled for January 2018 and then postponed, create more uncertain regarding vehicles value reducing the demand.

The final effect has been a 2018 market volume dropped at 127.546 units, down 13.9% from the previous year, at the lowest level in this decade.

The 2019 outlook is further not positive. While the market should show recovery in the first three-quarters, the VAT introduction in September should increase price moving the market again down in the Q4. And the current low-level of oil in the international market is not helping.

Brand-wise, the 2018 market leader was Toyota losing 14.4% and selling 61.777 vehicles, with market share at 48.4%. In second place Nissan, down 5.3% with 26.491 units, ahead of Hyundai with 7.439 (-32.7%) and Lexus with 5.636 (-8.3%).

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for Top Brands

Oman Vehicles Sales 2016 dropped down at the lowest level in the last sixth years hit by economic crisis and budget constraint. However, the market leader, Toyota, has lost over the average losing the 50% share quota

Oman’s economy is likely to have suffered a considerable slowdown in 2016, as record-low oil prices bit into export revenues and government finances, causing the budget deficit to balloon.

The OPEC agreement designed to counteract the price fall saw Oman trim oil production by 45,000 barrels a day from 1 January, while the budget plan announced in early January aims to get the country’s fiscal house in order through a mixture of tax rises and subsidy cuts.

Omani vehicles industry had been one of he most dynamic in the GCC and in the World when, between the 2010 and the 2014, run at the speed of four all time records in a row almost doubling sales up to the record of 217.000 unit (2013).

The too rapid expansion slowed down since the second half of the 2014 for a natural break, with expectations for a further growth killed by the long economic crisis that hits the market since the drop of oil price in the international market.

Thus, according to data released by the Omani Authority for Transportation, after the 2015 decline (-6.3%) the 2016 was really bad with a fall of 20.9% at 159.375 units, the lowest in sixth years.

The market is dominated by Toyota, as few others in the World and despite the presence of almost all global brands plus emerging Chinese. However, in the 2016 Toyota has lost sales by 27% with share dropped below the 50% hit in the 2015 for the very first time.

Outstanding was the performance of the second, Nissan, up 6.5%, while the others immediate competitors have lost: Hyundai -8.2%, Lexus -15.3%, Kia -33.4%, Isuzu -1.5% and Mitsubishi -37.8%.

Premium brands gained terrain, with Jeep doubling volume, BMW and Mercedes up respectively 10% and 45%.

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for Top Brands