Cyprus' automotive market continues to demonstrate strong growth. According to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat), 22,597 passenger cars were registered in the country during the first half of 2026, representing a 13% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 20,004 vehicles were registered.
The positive trend continued in June. A total of 4,338 passenger cars were registered during the month, compared to 3,780 a year earlier, marking a 14.8% increase. Experts attribute the strong demand to several factors, including a wider range of available models, the rapid expansion of the hybrid vehicle market, accessible car financing, and the continued interest of Cyprus residents in upgrading their personal vehicles.
Used Cars Remain the Market Leader, While Hybrids Gain Momentum
Despite growing sales of new vehicles, used cars continue to dominate the market. Between January and June 2026, they accounted for 67.9% of all registrations, or 15,352 vehicles. New cars represented 32.1% of the market, with 7,245 registrations.
The most significant trend of 2026 has been the rapid rise in hybrid vehicle registrations. While hybrids accounted for 43% of the market a year ago, their share has now increased to 51.7%, surpassing half of all registrations for the first time. The market distribution by powertrain is as follows:
- Hybrid vehicles — 51.7% (up from 43% a year earlier);
- Electric vehicles — 4.9% (up from 4.8%);
- Petrol vehicles — 35.2% (down from 43.6%);
- Diesel vehicles — 8.2% (down from 8.6%).
The growing popularity of hybrid vehicles is driven by lower fuel costs, reduced emissions, and Cyprus' ongoing transition toward greener transportation. The government also continues to expand the charging infrastructure and encourage the adoption of low-emission vehicles.
Which Car Brands Lead the Cyprus Market?
Out of the total number of registered vehicles, 19,995 were private passenger cars. Toyota remained the market leader with 5,176 registrations. It was followed by:
- Mazda — 2,529;
- Nissan — 1,732;
- BMW — 1,427;
- Mercedes — 1,195.
The top ten also included:
- Kia — 867;
- Honda — 865;
- Volkswagen — 604;
- BYD — 483;
- Audi — 459;
- Hyundai — 459.
Particular attention should be paid to the rapid growth of the Chinese brand BYD, which continues to strengthen its position in the Cypriot market thanks to an expanding lineup of hybrid and fully electric models.
Which New and Used Cars Do Cyprus Residents Prefer?
During the first six months of 2026, 7,245 new passenger cars were registered, including 6,467 private vehicles. The leading brands among new cars were:
- Kia — 830 registrations;
- Nissan — 565;
- Toyota — 536;
- BYD — 478;
- Volkswagen — 419.
They were followed by BMW (412), Hyundai (404), Mercedes (314), Renault (282), and Jeep (243). The used car market recorded 15,352 registrations, including 13,528 private vehicles. These figures include vehicles sold by both authorised dealerships and specialised used car dealers. The most popular used car brands were:
- Toyota — 4,640 registrations;
- Mazda — 2,501;
- Nissan — 1,167;
- BMW — 1,015;
- Mercedes — 881.
The top ten also included Honda (804), Audi (289), Lexus (284), Suzuki (237), and Volvo (237). The statistics confirm that Cyprus' automotive market continues to develop rapidly. The key trend of 2026 is the accelerating shift toward hybrid vehicles, while demand for traditional petrol and diesel models is gradually declining. At the same time, the new car market continues to grow steadily, and competition between established global manufacturers and Chinese brands is becoming increasingly intense.
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Photos: DOM, Pixabay
