AZE.US
Azerbaijani buyers are increasingly turning away from Georgia’s once-popular car market, with vehicle imports from the neighboring country falling sharply in the first half of 2026.
According to Georgia’s National Statistics Office, 2,456 vehicles worth $82.89 million were exported to Azerbaijan in January-June.
Compared with the same period of 2025, the number of vehicles fell by 45%, while the total value of exports declined by about 36%.
Transport expert Eyyub Aliyev told Baku TV that Azerbaijani buyers have increasingly shifted toward the U.S., South Korean and Japanese markets over the past seven to eight years.
He said ordering a vehicle online and arranging delivery from those countries can often be cheaper than traveling to Georgia and purchasing a car there.
The prolonged closure of Azerbaijan’s land borders following the COVID-19 pandemic also disrupted the traditional flow of buyers to Georgian auto markets.
Another factor is the growing popularity of online car purchases, according to automotive expert Eldaniz Jafarov. Buyers can now choose, purchase and ship vehicles remotely without traveling to another country.
Restrictions on the import of older vehicles have also reduced Georgia’s appeal. The Georgian market has traditionally been popular for used cars, but Azerbaijan’s limits on importing vehicles more than 10 years old have narrowed that segment.
At the same time, imports from China have increased significantly, giving Azerbaijani consumers another alternative. Both new and used vehicles are arriving through eastern and trans-Caspian transport routes.
The latest figures suggest that Georgia is gradually losing its former position as one of the main sources of imported cars for Azerbaijani buyers.
The decline is visible in both the number of vehicles shipped and the total value of trade, indicating a broader shift in consumer preferences and supply routes.
AZE.US