Over 200,000 cars imported in 2013

Zimbabweans imported 206,519 cars worth over $606 million between January and November last year, statistics from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency has shown. Most of the vehicles were second-hand, the Chronicle reported.

Responding to questions from our Harare Bureau this week, Zimstats said the imports included luxury vehicles, buses, ambulances, hearses, fire-fighting vehicles, dumpers, crane lorries, tractors, haulage trucks, concrete mixer lorries and mobile drilling derricks.

Racing vehicles were also imported.

Most vehicles came from Japan, South Africa, the United Kingdom, China and the United States.

Statistics show that Zimbabweans import an average of 3,000 cars monthly from Japan, and at least 2,000 from other countries.

Imports from Japan are mainly used vehicles for personal use while those from the US and UK are dominated by utility/commercial vehicles.

Zimbabweans are also buying vehicles from Botswana, Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, Namibia, Mozambique, Tanzania, India, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Switzerland and Germany.

Government recently said it would regulate importation of goods by issuing import licences to businesses and individuals to stem outflows of money from the country.