Image: Hyundai official image
Nepali car buyers faced a quieter import year in FY 2025/26, as new arrivals slowed and electric vehicle (EV) shipments fell sharply, while petrol models quietly gained ground.
Overall passenger vehicle imports
According to data from the Department of Customs, Nepal imported 15,806 passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs and vans) in FY 2025/26.
- This is about 1,900 fewer vehicles than the previous year, when 17,720 units entered the country.
- The drop in numbers works out to an overall decline of around 11% in passenger vehicle imports.
- The total value of these vehicles reached about Rs 30.24 billion, down from around Rs 36.44 billion last year.
- Customs revenue from passenger vehicles stood at about Rs 26.06 billion.
Importers and dealers had entered FY 2025/26 with large unsold stocks. Ahead of the previous national budget, many companies rushed to bring in roughly 5,500 extra vehicles expecting higher taxes. When demand did not grow as fast as anticipated, these vehicles stayed in showrooms and yards, so the immediate need for fresh imports dropped.
EV imports slow down
Electric vehicles took the biggest hit.
- Nepal imported 10,847 electric cars, SUVs and vans in FY 2025/26.
- This is a 20% drop from 13,578 EVs the year before.
- The number of EVs fell by 2,731 units, even though the category still made up the majority of passenger vehicle imports.
- The total value of EV imports reached about Rs 25.56 billion, generating around Rs 15.47 billion in customs revenue.
By motor power, the EV mix included:
- 3,680 units up to 50 kW
- 6,357 units between 51–100 kW
- 798 units between 101–200 kW
- 10 units above 200 kW
- 2 unassembled EVs up to 50 kW
For buyers, this means a slightly slower flow of new EV options in the short term. Existing models like the Tata Nexon EV (starting around Rs 35.99 lakh in Nepal) and Nexon EV Max (around Rs 46.49 lakh) continue to anchor the mainstream EV market, according to manufacturer announcements.
Petrol cars gain share
While EVs cooled, petrol vehicles moved in the opposite direction.
- Nepal imported 4,959 petrol cars, SUVs and vans in FY 2025/26.
- That is a nearly 20% increase, up 817 units from 4,142 petrol vehicles a year earlier.
This points to some buyers shifting back toward conventional engines despite more EV choices, likely influenced by price, charging access and resale concerns.
Hyundai’s growing local role
Hyundai stayed a key player in the petrol segment.
- Out of total petrol imports, 2,280 units arrived as CKD (completely knocked down) kits for local assembly.
- Hyundai is currently the only brand assembling passenger cars in Nepal, focusing on models like the Creta and Venue.
Local assembly can help stabilize supply and may support more competitive pricing over time. For Nepali buyers, the FY 2025/26 numbers indicate a market still interested in EVs but more cautious, while demand for petrol cars — especially locally assembled Hyundai models — is strengthening.
Current prices on Nepal AutoMart
- Hyundai Creta price in Nepal: Rs 51.96 lakh – Rs 87.96 lakh ex-showroom, 20 variants
- Hyundai Venue price in Nepal: Rs 40.96 lakh – Rs 59.96 lakh ex-showroom, 8 variants
- Tata Nexon EV K3 price in Nepal: Rs 48.99 lakh ex-showroom
- Tata Nexon price in Nepal: Rs 34.99 lakh – Rs 42.99 lakh ex-showroom, 5 variants
Reported by the Nepal AutoMart news desk. Prices verified against Nepal AutoMart's own distributor-sourced data.
