Available data from the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) website shows that Nissan, Toyota, Kia and Suzuki were the dominant players in the new vehicles segment in 2018. The average increase in the number of registered vehicles in Mauritius from 2007–2018 was approximately 4.7% and this trend is expected to continue in the near future. An increase is also expected in the sales of electric and hybrid cars following the duty concessions provided by the government.
Market Trends & Demand
Mauritius has no domestic vehicle production and relies on imports for its supply of passenger vehicles. As of the end of December 2018, there were 556,001 registered vehicles in Mauritius, representing an increase of 4.6% from the previous year. The fleet consisted of 52.2% cars, double cab pickup and dual-purpose vehicles and 38.0% auto/motor cycles. The remaining 9.9% comprised vans, lorries and trucks, buses and other vehicles. During 2018, 28,199 vehicles joined the fleet, of which 18,990 were new and 9,209 were second-hand imported vehicles. At the time of writing of this report, statistics on the number of re-registered as well as decommissioned vehicles were not available.
Summary
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To enter the Mauritian market, the use of a locally established agent or distributor is strongly recommended. Local agents have the contacts and the knowledge of customs procedures and preferences to develop a customer base. Foreign vehicle manufacturers in Mauritius have local partners who often have exclusivity rights, while spare parts and vehicle cosmetics are mostly sold through distributors or agents.
There are no specific barriers to entry for U.S. firms entering the Mauritian market, though duties on different types of motor vehicles range from 0% to 100%. For companies selling large engine vehicles like Harley Davidson, high duties can drive up prices and make market entry difficult. Details can be found in the tariff schedule of the Mauritius Revenue Authority: www.mra.mu
Imports of certain second-hand motor vehicle spare parts are also prohibited under the same legislation. Examples of prohibited second hand imports include tubes and wheels, engine mountings, belts and shock absorbers among others.
Market Entry & Barriers
Best Prospects for U.S. Exports
Aftermarket Summary
Original and independent aftermarket equipment and accessories are imported. Most owners of new vehicles prefer to use locally established agents for repairs and maintenance. A significant number of
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