The Hyundai Tucson is reportedly the top-selling car in Cyprus for August, marking a significant shift in the automotive scene for the island nation.
Vehicle sales trends in Cyprus have taken an interesting turn, according to fresh data released by local industry authorities, SEMO Cyprus and INNOSOFT. The figures reveal that the market for new passenger cars in Cyprus dipped by 12.2% in August, with just 713 units rolling out of showrooms. This slowdown has contributed to a year-to-date drop of 5.4%, bringing total new registrations to 10,371 vehicles so far. The changing fortunes of various brands and models in Cyprus offer valuable insights for car enthusiasts, dealers, and industry watchers across Nigeria and West Africa, where imports of European vehicles remain strong and trends often ripple through local markets.
With the overall market softening, Hyundai has emerged as the month’s strongest performer, recording a modest 2.2% growth and capturing a 12.9% share of the Cypriot market—significantly higher than its 9.2% share year-to-date. This leap allowed Hyundai to surge two positions up the leaderboard and become the second top-selling brand so far this year. Toyota, a global powerhouse favored for its reliability in West Africa, struggled with a 15.9% decline for August but still secured the second spot for the month. Nissan made the most spectacular monthly leap, improving sales by 109.4% compared to the previous year and clinching third place for the month.
Meanwhile, Kia, a familiar site on Nigerian roads, experienced a dramatic 75.2% tumble in August—a sharp reversal from its exceptional performance last year, when it dominated with a 26.8% share. BMW delivered one of its best showings ever, almost doubling its sales (up 91.7%) and moving into the fifth position with a 6.5% share. Renault, Jeep, and Dacia also posted striking triple-digit percentage increases, while BYD, a new Chinese entrant, wasted no time in establishing itself by landing at eleventh place and achieving a 3.1% market share in its very first complete month on offer.
In the model rankings, the spotlight was on the Hyundai Tucson. Despite a decline of 27.7% year-on-year in August, the Tucson still managed to lead the pack with a 4.8% market share for the month, even though it remains in third on the year-to-date chart. This underscores the shifting preferences of Cypriot buyers and highlights the Tucson’s consistent appeal, echoing its popularity in West Africa’s elite circles where SUVs increasingly feature in daily commutes, official convoys, and family outings.
Other notable model performers this August were the Kia Sportage, which dropped to second, and the Toyota Yaris Cross, which doubled its sales volume compared to last year and maintained a strong third-place standing. The surge was even more dramatic for several other models: Renault Arkana saw a record 475% growth, while the Hyundai Kona, Nissan Qashqai, and Nissan Juke posted increases of 250%, 225%, and 120% respectively. Such numbers suggest a growing appetite for compact SUVs and crossovers—a trend mirrored in Lagos, Accra, and even Abuja, where city dwellers often prioritize ride height, durability, and modern features in their vehicle choices.
For a deeper look at brand performance in Cyprus this August, here’s a snapshot of the market’s leading brands and their positionings:
| Pos | Brand | Aug-25 | % | /24 | Jul | 2025 | % | /24 | Pos | FY24 |
| 1 | Hyundai | 92 | 12.9% | + 2.2% | 3 | 951 | 9.2% | – 10.6% | 2 | 5 |
| 2 | Toyota | 74 | 10.4% | – 15.9% | 2 | 945 | 9.1% | – 16.4% | 3 | 2 |
| 3 | Nissan | 67 | 9.4% | + 109.4% | 5 | 875 | 8.4% | – 24.8% | 5 | 4 |
| 4 | Kia | 54 | 7.6% | – 75.2% | 1 | 1,687 | 16.3% | – 25.1% | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | BMW | 46 | 6.5% | + 91.7% | 6 | 569 | 5.5% | + 7.0% | 6 | 6 |
| 6 | Volkswagen | 43 | 6.0% | – 39.4% | 4 | 937 | 9.0% | – 21.6% | 4 | 2 |
| 7 | Renault | 43 | 6.0% | + 152.9% | 8 | 447 | 4.3% | + 83.2% | 8 | 11 |
| 8 | Jeep | 33 | 4.6% | + 135.7% | 14 | 401 | 3.9% | + 91.9% | 9 | 9 |
| 9 | Mercedes | 30 | 4.2% | – 25.0% | 10 | 513 | 4.9% | + 11.0% | 7 | 7 |
| 10 | Dacia | 28 | 3.9% | + 115.4% | 7 | 347 | 3.3% | + 57.0% | 12 | 16 |
| 11 | BYD | 22 | 3.1% | new | 30 | 25 | 0.2% | new | 28 | – |
| 12 | MG | 20 | 2.8% | + 17.6% | 26 | 81 | 0.8% | – 5.8% | 23 | 19 |
| 13 | Audi | 19 | 2.7% | – 52.5% | 11 | 364 | 3.5% | – 5.5% | 10 | 8 |
| 14 | Ford | 19 | 2.7% | – 17.4% | 9 | 352 | 3.4% | + 21.4% | 11 | 10 |
| 15 | Peugeot | 17 | 2.4% | n/a | 17 | 140 | 1.3% | + 4566.7% | 19 | 31 |
| 16 | Skoda | 15 | 2.1% | + 25.0% | 15 | 264 | 2.5% | – 10.8% | 13 | 12 |
| 17 | Volvo | 14 | 2.0% | + 180.0% | 22 | 170 | 1.6% | + 15.6% | 17 | 17 |
| 18 | Lexus | 13 | 1.8% | + 0.0% | 12 | 150 | 1.4% | + 24.0% | 18 | 18 |
| 19 | Land Rover | 11 | 1.5% | – 35.3% | 19 | 205 | 2.0% | – 12.0% | 15 | 13 |
| 20 | Mini | 9 | 1.3% | + 125.0% | 13 | 223 | 2.2% | + 57.0% | 14 | 14 |
| 21 | Porsche | 7 | 1.0% | – 58.8% | 16 | 194 | 1.9% | – 8.1% | 16 | 15 |
| 22 | Honda | 7 | 1.0% | – 46.2% | 21 | 82 | 0.8% | – 18.0% | 21 | 21 |
| 23 | Seat | 7 | 1.0% | + 250.0% | 23 | 81 | 0.8% | + 76.1% | 22 | 22 |
| 24 | Cupra | 6 | 0.8% | – 33.3% | 20 | 84 | 0.8% | + 18.3% | 20 | 24 |
| 25 | Mazda | 3 | 0.4% | – 66.7% | 24 | 57 | 0.5% | – 41.2% | 24 | 20 |
| 26 | Opel | 3 | 0.4% | n/a | 32 | 24 | 0.2% | + 700.0% | 29 | 36 |
| 27 | Suzuki | 2 | 0.3% | – 71.4% | 27 | 42 | 0.4% | – 38.2% | 27 | 25 |
| 28 | Alfa Romeo | 2 | 0.3% | + 100.0% | 28 | 11 | 0.1% | – 35.3% | 31 | 27 |
| 29 | Ssangyong | 1 | 0.1% | – 75.0% | 25 | 51 | 0.5% | – 10.5% | 25 | 23 |
| 30 | Citroen | 1 | 0.1% | n/a | 18 | 50 | 0.5% | + 1566.7% | 26 | 33 |
| 31 | Bentley | 1 | 0.1% | + 0.0% | 29 | 13 | 0.1% | + 18.2% | 30 | 30 |
| 32 | Maserati | 1 | 0.1% | – 83.3% | 33 | 10 | 0.1% | – 77.8% | 32 | 26 |
| 33 | Ferrari | 1 | 0.1% | n/a | 34 | 8 | 0.1% | + 33.3% | 33 | 34 |
| 34 | Lamborghini | 1 | 0.1% | – 50.0% | 35 | 6 | 0.1% | + 0.0% | 34 | 32 |
| 35 | Rolls Royce | 1 | 0.1% | n/a | 31 | 4 | 0.0% | + 100.0% | 36 | 35 |
When it comes to individual models, the monthly picture can sometimes look different from full-year trends, as certain promotions, new launches, or supply issues can have immediate effects. Note that the following ranking is based on models’ August sales:
| Pos | Model | Aug-25 | % | /24 | Jul | 2025 | % | /24 | Pos | FY24 |
| 1 | Hyundai Tucson | 34 | 4.8% | – 27.7% | 2 | 416 | 4.0% | – 40.9% | 3 | 3 |
| 2 | Kia Sportage | 28 | 3.9% | – 17.6% | 1 | 498 | 4.8% | – 28.6% | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Toyota Yaris Cross | 27 | 3.8% | + 80.0% | 3 | 221 | 2.1% | – 45.3% | 11 | 6 |
| 4 | Nissan Qashqai | 26 | 3.6% | + 225.0% | 4 | 371 | 3.6% | – 36.4% | 4 | 4 |
| 5 | Renault Arkana | 23 | 3.2% | + 475.0% | 8 | 252 | 2.4% | + 111.8% | 8 | 16 |
| 6 | Nissan Juke | 22 | 3.1% | + 120.0% | 12 | 313 | 3.0% | – 15.2% | 6 | 8 |
| 7 | Hyundai Kona | 21 | 2.9% | + 250.0% | 9 | 272 | 2.6% | + 169.3% | 7 | 29 |
| 8 | Jeep Avenger | 19 | 2.7% | – 38.7% | n/a | 243 | 2.3% | + 173.0% | 9 | 21 |
| 9 | Dacia Duster | 19 | 2.7% | + 137.5% | 10 | 145 | 1.4% | + 38.1% | 18 | 27 |
| 10 | Toyota C-HR | 16 | 2.2% | – 27.3% | 6 | 238 | 2.3% | – 6.3% | 10 | 10 |
Source: SEMO Cyprus and INNOSOFT
Local Relevance: What These Numbers Mean for Nigeria and West Africa
The trends seen in Cyprus have immediate implications for buyers and dealers in Nigeria, Ghana, and across West Africa. Imported vehicles from Europe dominate local markets, and models like the Hyundai Tucson, Toyota Yaris Cross, and Kia Sportage are a familiar sight in cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Accra. Shifts in demand for SUVs and crossovers often signal what we can expect in showrooms and auctions across the region in the coming months.
Furthermore, new entrants like BYD highlight the growing presence of Chinese automakers, a development that local dealers and city dwellers are watching closely as these brands begin to introduce affordable electric and hybrid options. Lagos-based automotive analyst Chinedu Okon noted, “We are seeing more young professionals ask for modern compact SUVs, and demand for electric vehicles is slowly but steadily building—especially among those commuting within city limits where fuel costs and traffic congestion are top of mind.”
In the face of import bans on used cars or shifts in customs duties, having up-to-date knowledge of global trends allows West African traders and consumers to make smarter purchasing decisions. The presence of European and Asian models in Cyprus’s quarterly data often matches trends in port cities like Tin Can Island, where cars are cleared for resale across the region.
Global Automobile Shifts and West African Response
With economic pressures leading to drops in new car purchases and consumers increasingly turning towards pre-owned vehicles, there could be a trickle-down effect on prices, availability, and brand preferences in Nigeria. Local mechanics, banks offering auto finance, and rideshare drivers may see newer models like the Tucson and Yaris Cross become more prominent on the roads—especially as more models enter the used market through Europe-to-Africa import routes.
Environmental concerns may also rise, as analysts like Abuja transport policy expert Hafsat Sule suggest: “We encourage government and private importers to keep an eye on emissions standards and promote models with better fuel efficiency or hybrid options. What happens in Europe and the Middle East today quickly becomes relevant in our local Lagos and Accra traffic tomorrow.”
Looking Ahead: Will These Trends Take Root in Nigeria?
As car shoppers in Nigeria and across Africa weigh options for their next ride—factoring in everything from road conditions and maintenance costs to status and resale value—the shift towards compact, tech-enabled SUVs and the growth of new automakers may shape the future. Dealers will need to watch global trends closely, while regulators and associations could collaborate to promote safer, cleaner, and more affordable options for local drivers.
What model do you think will dominate Nigerian roads next year? Which features are you prioritizing in your next car—durability, tech, or low fuel consumption? Share your thoughts below and let’s spark a conversation about the future of mobility in Africa!
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