AZE.US
Azerbaijan’s car market is showing clear signs of stagnation, with sellers reporting plenty of vehicles for sale but far fewer buyers ready to close a deal.
The slowdown is visible both in Baku and in regional car markets. Sellers say demand has weakened sharply, especially for older models.
Some dealers who previously sold five or six cars a month now say they are moving only one or two.
In Tovuz, sellers described a market where buyers come, look around and leave without making a purchase. Some owners say they are prepared to negotiate, but even lower prices do not always lead to a sale.
The same mood is visible in car markets around the capital. Sellers complain that real buyers are scarce, while buyers say prices still feel high compared with their budgets. The result is a market where many vehicles remain unsold for weeks.
Car sales specialist Sarkhan Gadirov said the main reasons behind the slowdown are weaker purchasing power, tougher loan conditions and higher prices for new vehicles. Those pressures have made buyers more cautious, especially in the lower and middle segments of the market.
Demand has also shifted toward cars with lower running costs. Fuel-efficient vehicles, hybrids and cars imported from the United States are attracting more interest.
According to Gadirov, much of the current market activity is now built around U.S.-imported cars.
Older gasoline-powered vehicles are in a weaker position. Buyers are paying closer attention to fuel consumption, maintenance costs and resale value, making large-engine and less efficient cars harder to sell.
Experts expect newer model-year vehicles to see some price growth in the coming months. Older cars, especially less economical gasoline models, may continue to lose value if demand remains weak.
AZE.US