Yemeni Vehicle Market in 2025 report mild expansion. Full-year figures grew by 6.5%, with Toyota securing the top spot (+25.2%). Lexus and Suzuki followed in 2nd, behind by a large margin despite the impressive gains.
Economic Environment
In 2025, Yemen’s economy is projected to contract by 1.5%, with nominal GDP per capita declining by 19%, reflecting deepening economic fragility amid ongoing conflict and fragmentation. Inflation in IRG-controlled areas exceeded 30% in 2024, while the Yemeni Rial depreciated sharply from YER 1,540 to YER 2,065 per USD, eroding household purchasing power. The blockade on oil exports by Houthi forces slashed IRG revenues to just 2.5% of GDP, though budget support and spending cuts helped narrow the fiscal deficit. Red Sea tensions and over 450 maritime security incidents in 2024 severely disrupted trade, raising shipping costs.
Socioeconomic conditions have deteriorated, with more than two-thirds of the population facing inadequate food consumption and increasingly destructive coping strategies. Fragmentation between IRG and Houthi areas, marked by dual institutions and currencies, continues to undermine coordination and deepen disparities. Houthi-controlled regions face deflation, liquidity constraints, and rising reliance on informal or barter-based transactions. Declining donor financing and sanctions compliance risks are expected to further suppress liquidity and household income. Despite bleak short-term prospects, the report outlines that under a peace scenario, Yemen’s economy could grow by 5% annually over the next 15 years, driven by investment, institutional recovery, and reconstruction.
The Yemeni market started the year off positively as the growth rate increased during H1 to preak in June at +14.9%. Then, it started to slow down during Q3 and Q4 to reach an overall year-on-year volume change of +6.5%.
Brand-wise, the leader Toyota reported 25.2% growth in sales while holding 91.5% market share, followed by Lexus with a 4.2% market share, up by 219.1%. Suzuki climbed 1 spot and grew 63.5%.
For what concerns the best selling models, the Toyota Hilux remained on top falling 6% while the Toyota Land Cruiser gained 41.8% and ranked 2nd.
Medium-Term Market Trend
Yemen’s light vehicle market has experienced dramatic shifts over the past decade. After recording 6,117 vehicle sales in 2014, the industry saw a sharp contraction, falling to just 2,992 units by 2016. A modest recovery began in 2017, particularly in the second half of the year, with total sales reaching 3,938 units. The rebound continued in 2018, with sales rising by 37.8% to 5,231 units, marking the second consecutive year of growth.
In 2019, the market accelerated significantly, closing the year with 8,483 registrations, an impressive 62.2% increase. However, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a substantial decline in 2020, with sales falling 38.9% to 5,182 units. Importantly, this drop was not the result of structural weaknesses within the market. In fact, 2021 saw a strong recovery, with sales surging by 61.2% to 8,507 units.
The market stabilized in 2022, recording a slight decline of 2.3% to 8,274 vehicle registrations. Growth resumed in 2023, with sales jumping 45.9% to reach 12,085 units, the highest annual total to date. In 2024, the market remained strong despite a 7% year-over-year decline, ending the year with 10,892 units sold, the second-highest figure on record.
