Baku, August 3 — Sunday’s car market in Baku painted a familiar picture: low turnout, weak sales, and growing disinterest among buyers.
According to Milli.Az, the once-bustling auto market is now a shadow of its former self. Many potential buyers now prefer to search for vehicles via online platforms and social media instead of physically visiting the market.
One of the main reasons behind the shift is the surging popularity of Chinese cars, which are both affordable and readily available. Showrooms have responded to demand by replacing traditional models with Chinese brands.
Why Are Chinese Cars Dominating the Market?
Chinese automakers have rapidly expanded their global reach, thanks to competitive pricing, generous features, and a lead in electric vehicle technology. Government subsidies, export incentives, and the rising cost of Western brands have made Chinese vehicles more attractive to Azerbaijani consumers.
In recent years, Chinese brands have also improved in design and build quality, making them appealing alternatives on the global stage — including in Azerbaijan.
Brands Still Holding Their Ground
Despite the rapid rise of Chinese manufacturers, they still struggle to rival established giants in some key areas. Brands like Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and Porsche continue to dominate due to their long-standing reputations, engineering excellence, and customer loyalty.
Toyota remains the go-to for reliability and fuel economy, while Mercedes and BMW lead in luxury and performance. Audi’s tech-savvy approach and Porsche’s unmatched sports engineering keep them in a class of their own.
Though Chinese carmakers are making gains, they have yet to break into the prestige segments where brand heritage and consumer trust are critical.
As the Azerbaijani market continues to evolve, the growing influence of Chinese vehicles suggests a shift in consumer priorities — from prestige to practicality — but traditional brands are far from out of the race.
