During the first half of 2022, car imports from abroad experienced many events: the start of a full-scale war, the temporary shutdown of seaports, the introduction and subsequent cancellation of zero customs clearance. All these events influenced the choice of countries from which Ukrainians brought cars. Experts of the Institute of Car Market Research analyzed the statistics import of vehicles in Ukraine and determined from which countries Ukrainians most imported cars with mileage and how the dynamics have changed since the beginning of the year.
In total, from January to June, 284,800 cars with mileage were brought to Ukraine from abroad. This is 8.5% more than in the same period of the record year 2021, during which Ukrainians registered the most used cars. Considering all the events that have happened in Ukraine since the beginning of the year, this is a unique indicator. The main reason for such an increase in the import of cars from abroad was the so-called zero customs clearance, that is, complete exemption from all customs payments.
However, big changes took place not only in the number, but also in the list of countries from which Ukrainians most imported passenger cars with mileage. If during the first half of 2021 the share of cars from European countries was 56.6%, and "Americans" — 36.1%, now the situation has changed significantly: cars from Europe have taken the absolute majority.
Among all used cars imported from January to June 2022, 84.6% were exported from EU countries (241.6 thousand units). More than 2% were brought from European countries that are not part of the European Union — Switzerland, Norway and Great Britain. Thus, the number of "Europeans" reached a maximum in the recent history of the Ukrainian car market, which began at the end of 2018.
Instead, the share of "Americans" decreased from 36.1% in the first half of 2021 to 10.2% (29.1 thousand units) according to the results of the first half of 2022. That is , the share of cars from American countries decreased by three times. At the same time, most of them (17.5 thousand units) were brought during January and February.
Where to buy used cars in Europe
The main suppliers of cars with mileage in the European Union for Ukrainians during the first half of 2022 were Poland ( 36.9% of the total number of cars from the EU, 89.2 thousand units), Germany ( 27.2%, 65.8 thousand units). pcs.) and Lithuania ( 13.5%, 32.6 thousand pcs.). At the same time, Poland and Lithuania often perform the function of transport hubs, when cars purchased in other countries are resold to Ukrainians, or simply for processing a package of export documentation. Therefore, the real share of used cars directly purchased in Poland and Lithuania may be somewhat smaller.
In general, the top 10 European car markets popular among Ukrainians look like this:
- Poland — 89.2 thousand
- Germany — 65.8 thousand
- Lithuania — 32.6 thousand.
- Czech Republic — 10.4 thousand.
- The Netherlands — 8 thousand.
- France — 5.4 thousand.
- Belgium — 4.1 thousand
- Estonia — 3.9 thousand
- Slovakia — 3.5 thousand.
- Romania — 2.9 thousand.
Americans are taken not only from the USA
Although most of the "Americans" are cars from insurance auctions, cars are transported not only from the USA. In the first half of 2022, 1.2 thousand cars were brought from Canada. This is 28 times less than the number of cars imported from the USA, but, for example, twice as much as used cars imported from Spain and Portugal combined.
At the same time, cars from America, issued during March-June (such 10.5 thousand units) are mostly "swimming" cars purchased in the USA even before the start of a full-scale war. Due to the temporary blocking of Ukrainian seaports, there were problems with their delivery. Comparing the statistics of border crossings of "American" cars, it can be seen that during January-February, the bulk of such cars were imported into Ukraine through the ports of Odessa (85.8% of the total). In May-June, the majority of "Americans" were already brought in through checkpoints with Poland (74.7%) and Romania (9.6%).
Such redirection of cars to European ports cost the owners additional nerves, time and money. Since today buying a car from America has become less profitable — it has become more expensive and takes longer — it is not worth expecting a quick recovery of their share to the previous level, experts of the Institute of Car Market Research predict.
Where else do Ukrainians bring used cars from?
Popular countries that are not part of the European Union, from where Ukrainians brought used cars during the first half of 2022, included Switzerland. 4,400 cars with mileage were exported from there.
Another 3,400 cars were brought from South Korea. Favorites for purchase from this country were LPI cars with an exclusively gas power system. Before the start of the war, an average of 1.2-1.3 thousand such cars were brought every month. Due to the complications of delivery, this segment has decreased significantly. In May and June, Ukrainians registered a total of only about 500 cars.
A similar story with cars from Georgia. Previously, cars were brought from this country, cars repaired on the local market from America and South Korea. Georgia was chosen because of faster and easier delivery than when buying directly, as well as because of the opportunity to physically inspect the car. Since it is often economically unprofitable to deliver cars from there by land through Turkey, we should not expect an increase in the import of cars from Georgia until the Ukrainian seaports resume operations.
It is also worth paying attention to Norway (1.1 thousand units)- Ukrainians bring a lot of used electric cars from this country.
- Switzerland — 4.4 thousand.
- South Korea — 3.4 thousand.
- Georgia — 1.6 thousand
- Great Britain — 1.3 thousand.
- Norway — 1.1 thousand
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