In the first half of 2026, Algeria imported approximately 143,000 cars from China, a year-on-year increase of 235.5%, ranking 10th among the top ten automobile export destinations in the world for China.

According to data disclosed by Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Market Information Association, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported that in the first half of 2026, Algeria imported approximately 143,000 vehicles from China, a year-on-year increase of 235.5%. China entered the top ten in the world for automobile export destinations and ranked tenth.

For comparison, Russia imported about 448,000 vehicles from China during the same period, Brazil about 411,000 vehicles, and the United Kingdom about 255,000 vehicles. Although the absolute size of Algeria is still lower than the above-mentioned markets, its year-on-year growth rate of more than 235% has made it one of the fastest-growing North African markets for China's automobile exports this year.

What deserves more attention from China's used car export industry is that reports say that a considerable part of this batch of vehicles are related to the import demand of "used cars less than 3 years old" in Algeria. Due to the high prices of European car sources and the insufficient supply of new cars in Algeria, China is rapidly becoming an alternative purchasing market for local importers and individual buyers.

China has changed from a "brand export destination" to a comprehensive vehicle source market in Algeria

In the past, Algeria consumers talked about imported cars, and Europe has long been the preferred market. But that pattern is changing as vehicle prices rise in Europe and the supply of used and quasi-new cars in China expands.

Rachid Mizabi, general manager of United Cars, said in an interview with the New Arab that Algeria consumers choose China cars first because of the obvious price difference, and secondly because of the improvement in quality and configuration of China cars in recent years. At the same time, local consumers 'acceptance of China brands has also been significantly higher than in the past.

The market logic behind this is very realistic: Algeria has a long-standing problem of shortage of cars, and it is difficult for local production and formal new car imports to fully cover demand. As a result, personal imports have become an important channel for many residents to obtain vehicles. Under the condition of "less than 3 years old," the China market has a huge inventory of quasi-new cars and a rich variety of models, and the prices are generally competitive than those in Europe, which has naturally become a new procurement focus.

From the perspective of China exporters, this means that Algeria is no longer a market that simply "tests the waters of China cars", but is gradually forming a stable China procurement chain.

Not only China brands, but Volkswagen and other "Made in China International Brands" are also in stock

Another change that is easily ignored is that the so-called "China automobile imports" does not mean importing only China's own brands.

According to reports, the vehicles currently purchased by Algeria from China include China brands such as Geely, Chery, and Livan, as well as European brand models such as Volkswagen produced in China or sold to the China market.

This is especially important for China used car exporters. China's huge car ownership and complete industrial chain are making the domestic market a source of used cars for global brands. For Algeria buyers, purchasing a Volkswagen exported from China does not have a natural conflict with purchasing a China brand. As long as the vehicle year, configuration, price and local compliance conditions are appropriate, demand may arise.

Therefore, there is no need to limit the scope to independent brands when selecting Algeria products. Joint venture and international brand models with large domestic ownership, mature parts, and high recognition by local consumers are also worthy of attention.

Behind the high growth rate of 235.5%, Algeria is still "car shortage"

The report believes that the fundamental reason why Algeria's imports of China vehicles has increased significantly is the long-standing local car supply gap. When consumers have limited domestic models to choose from, they will naturally look for overseas markets with more suitable prices and more stable supply.

China just meets these two conditions: on the one hand, the number of models is huge, with sufficient vehicle sources from economy cars to SUVs, hybrids and international brand products; on the other hand, prices are generally more attractive than similar European products.

But how long this rapid growth can last depends on the development of local manufacturing in Algeria. In recent years, Afghanistan has been hoping to reduce its dependence on vehicle imports by resuming automobile production and increasing the proportion of localization. Once local production capacity really increases, or individual import policies are adjusted again, the current import structure may also change accordingly.

For exporters, 143,000 vehicles is proof of demand, but a growth rate of 235.5% cannot be simply used to predict next year. Algeria remains a highly policy-sensitive market.

written in the end

Algeria ranks among the top ten automobile exports in China. The most important signal to the domestic used car industry is that China has begun to replace Europe and become an important source of used and quasi-new cars in the region within three years, and demand has expanded from China's own brands to "international brands made in China." This leaves exporting companies with greater room for product selection. However, there are still many variables that really affect profits in Algeria: the three-year-old red line, personal import policies, shipping prices and local after-sales parts supply all need to be closely watched.

Source: Guangdong Good Car

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