With private licences for imports of utility vehicle being suspended, sales centers and car dealers face an uphill battle to maintain sales.
The price for imported Japanese utility vehicles have gone up about K3 million to K8 million over the past few months.
"Imported right-hand drive cars have been banned in Myanmar, which limits the market," said car importer U Sein Maung.
"As we're limited to left-hand drive we have to choose from Chinese and Korean-made cars. Dealers are also limited to brand new cars only, making it difficult to maintain a competitive price. Showroom permit prices have also started to rise," he explained.
"It's difficult to work in this sector with so many restrictions. After the right-hand drive vehicles were banned, car prices went up. The highest price increase was for the 600cc Daihatsu Hijet utility, which went from K7 million to K9 million, then almost K13 million," said, Ko Aung Myo, a Yangon-based car dealer.
Myanmar's import policy permits the following types of utility vehicles for importation: 2016 to 2020 model trucks, mini buses and express buses (left-hand drive); 2011 to 2020 model heavy trucks (left-hand drive); fire engines and ambulances donated to the government, post 2006 models (both left-hand and right-hand drive); and off-road heavy-duty vehicle need to have been manufactured within the last 15 years before being approved for importation. - Translated
