Nigeria vehicle imports from US rose 81% to $985m in 2025, driven by strong demand for passenger cars, trucks and auto parts amid easing FX pressures

Nigerians spent a total of $985m importing motor vehicles and auto parts from the United States in the first 10 months of 2025, representing a sharp increase from the $543m recorded in the same period of 2024, according to data from the US Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

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Figures contained in the US International Trade in Goods and Services reports for October 2024 and October 2025 show that vehicle-related imports from the US to Nigeria rose by $442m, an 81.4 per cent year-on-year increase.

Passenger cars accounted for the largest share of imports, with Nigeria bringing in vehicles worth $727m between January and October 2025, compared with $411m in the corresponding period of 2024.

The $316m increase, representing 76.9 per cent growth, highlights sustained demand for US-made cars despite high import costs and pressure on foreign exchange.

Imports of trucks, buses and special-purpose vehicles more than doubled, rising from $30m in the first 10 months of 2024 to $63m in 2025.

Analysts say the 110 per cent jump reflects growing activity in logistics, construction and industrial transport, even as businesses contend with high interest rates and operating expenses.

Vehicle parts also recorded strong growth, increasing from $103m in 2024 to $195m in 2025.

The $92m rise, or 89.3 per cent, points to higher maintenance of existing vehicles and Nigeria’s continued reliance on imported components amid weak local manufacturing capacity.

On a monthly basis, Nigeria imported $136m worth of vehicles and parts from the US in October 2025, up from $116m in September. Passenger cars accounted for $102m, while trucks and buses stood at $8m, and parts at $26m.

Although month-on-month growth remained positive in 2025, it was more moderate than in 2024, when October imports jumped by over 40 per cent from September, suggesting a possible stabilisation following an earlier rebound.

By contrast, US vehicle imports in October 2024 stood at $83m, compared with $59m in September, with passenger cars alone accounting for $65m.

Year-to-date imports for 2024 closed October at $543m, well below the 2025 level.

Earlier data from the National Bureau of Statistics also showed a rebound in Nigeria’s passenger motor car imports in 2025, supported by relative stability in the foreign exchange market.

According to the NBS, the value of passenger car imports rose to ₦1.01tn in the first nine months of 2025, up from ₦894.09bn in the same period of 2024.

The ₦113.15bn increase, representing 12.66 per cent growth, signals renewed confidence among dealers and buyers after months of subdued demand caused by currency volatility and rising landing costs.

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Analysts attribute the recovery to improved access to foreign exchange, even as vehicle prices remain elevated.