Tunisia’s Auto Market Splits: Official Import Drops 14%, Parallel Import Rises 23%
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Tunis – The Tunisian automotive industry is sounding the alarm over the rapid expansion of the “parallel market”, as the country’s auto import structure undergoes a striking split. According to local media reports, Ibrahim Al-Dabbash, Chairman of the Tunisian Chamber of Automotive Agents and Manufacturers, stated on March 11 that Tunisia imported more than 90,000 vehicles in 2025, with approximately one-third entering the country through the so-called “off-market/parallel market” channels. This growing trend has sparked widespread concern across the industry, as it poses multiple challenges to the national economy, the energy transition, and consumer protection.
Al-Dabbash emphasized that vehicles brought in through parallel channels are mainly used cars, about 4 to 5 years old, mostly equipped with traditional fuel-powered engines. Unlike new vehicles imported through authorized dealerships, these used fuel cars not only fail to align with Tunisia’s energy transition goals but also pose risks to consumers, including unclear vehicle histories, limited after-sales support, and difficulty accessing genuine spare parts. Moreover, the large-scale influx of used vehicles has affected the formal automotive market, leading to a sharp decline in imports through official channels.
Detailed data revealed by Al-Dabbash further highlights the severity of the market split. In 2025, the official authorized dealership system in Tunisia imported about 63,000 vehicles, representing a year-on-year decline of approximately 14%. In sharp contrast, the parallel market continued to expand robustly, with a year-on-year growth of about 23%. To vividly describe the current market structure, Al-Dabbash summed up: “For every 4 legally imported vehicles, there is 1 used car with 4 to 5 years of age entering through parallel channels”, adding that most of these used vehicles are internal combustion engine models. This structural imbalance not only distorts the market order but also hinders the healthy development of the country’s automotive industry.
The trend of market split has continued into 2026, showing no sign of abating. Al-Dabbash noted that in January 2026, Tunisia imported about 2,500 vehicles through the parallel market, reflecting year-on-year growth of around 23%. Meanwhile, the official authorized channels only imported about 3,300 new vehicles, a year-on-year decrease of approximately 14%. Faced with this worsening situation, Al-Dabbash has called for an urgent meeting, organized by automotive agents and Tunisia’s Ministry of Commerce and Export Development, to be held as soon as possible. The purpose of this meeting is to explore feasible solutions to address the impact of the parallel market, prevent further pressure on official channels, and promote the balanced development of the automotive market as a whole.
Against the backdrop of the global energy transition, Tunisia’s automotive market is also facing the challenge of upgrading its energy infrastructure. Al-Dabbash mentioned that the Tunisian government is encouraging residents to purchase electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles through tariff incentives in the “2026 Finance Law”. However, he also made a realistic judgment: due to insufficient charging infrastructure, the import of pure electric vehicles may decline in 2026. As of 2025, Tunisia had only about 570 registered electric vehicles, and the number of public charging stations is far from meeting growing demand, creating a major bottleneck to the development of pure electric vehicles in the country.
In contrast, rechargeable hybrid vehicles (which can be recharged with electricity or refueled with gasoline) are better aligned with Tunisia’s current practical conditions and are expected to see strong demand growth. Al-Dabbash added that the number of authorized dealers of new brands introduced in Tunisia has now increased to 45, and inquiries from Tunisian consumers about hybrid models are “very intensive”, indicating that hybrid vehicles have gradually become the preferred choice for local consumers under the dual demands of energy conservation and practicality. This also indicates that the Tunisian automotive market is in transition, with consumers increasingly prioritizing environmental protection and cost-effectiveness.
A brief comment on Tunisia’s auto market: The key signals emerging from the market are clear. On the one hand, the government is vigorously promoting new energy vehicles through policy incentives. Still, the pace of the transition ultimately depends on the development of supporting infrastructure, such as charging stations. On the other hand, the official authorized channels are shrinking while the parallel market is expanding, creating an unbalanced market structure. For Chinese automotive brands seeking to gain a foothold and grow in Tunisia, entering the market with hybrid/plug-in hybrid models in the short term is a more feasible strategy. At the same time, it is crucial to work closely with local dealers to consolidate spare parts supply and strengthen the after-sales service network. This will not only help address price competition from the parallel market but also build a strong brand reputation, laying a solid foundation for long-term growth in the Tunisian market.
In conclusion, Tunisia’s automotive market is currently in a critical period of structural adjustment. The expansion of the parallel market and the promotion of the new energy transition are reshaping market dynamics. Balancing the development of official and parallel channels, accelerating the construction of new energy infrastructure, and meeting changing consumer demands will be the key issues facing Tunisia’s automotive industry in the coming period. For foreign brands, including Chinese ones, gaining a grasp of market trends and adjusting their strategies promptly will be key to seizing and capitalizing on opportunities in this emerging North African market.
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