EVOLUTION OF THE GABONESE AUTOMOBILE MARKET

1) Annual sales

Over the last seven years, we observe different moves.
The automobile market showed an increase from 1996 to 1998 with crossing the threshold of 4,000 new vehicles in 1998.
in 1999, the timber and oil crises had an impact on the economic situation of the country. All these factors explained a 47% decrease in the automobile market between 1998 and 1999.
Between 2000 and 2003, the market slightly recovered and tended to stabilize again. In 2004, a decrease occurred.
But since 2005, sales have been on the increase. In 2005 and 2006, sales increased by 54% and 22% when compared with the previous years.
The first two months of 2007 show a significant increase in monthly sales of about 29% when compared to the average monthly sales in 2006.

2 ) Monthly evolution of sales 

2005 was an exceptional year because of the presidential elections.

The drop forecast in 2006 did not occur as monthly delivery rates remained high. In 2007, business prospects look just as strong and excellent. 

Monthly evolution of the automobile market since 2000

Monthly evolution of sales since 2000

The Japanese brands are still very present on the Gabonese automobile market. However, their market shares decreased slightly by the end of 2006 and amounted to 77,9% down from 81,9% in December 2005.
The market shares of the European brands increased at the end of 2006 and reached 20,6% at the end of 2005.

4) TOYOTA sales by car type

At the end of 2006, the SOGAFRIC and CFAO groups held 91% of the automobile market (SOGAFRIC 50,3% and CFAO 40,6%).
together, these two groups represent 13 car brands.
12 car dealers sell the 25 car brands found on the Gabonese market.

5 ) Repartition by car type

At the end of 2006, we noticed that the market shares of commercial vehicles decreased by 0,5 points when compared to the 2005 figures, while the market shares of the all wheel drive decreased by 1,9 points.
On the other hand, saloon cars increased by 1,9 points, buses by 0,9 points and trucks by 0,6 points.

6 ) Problems faced by the automobile activity

a)Libreville clubs
The clubs 3 and 4 in Libreville have been signed and are being settled.

b)Informal sector
The decree ruling the import of second hand cars, signed by the Minister of Transport in December 2000, is not enforced yet. Therefore, we notice an ever growing number of dealers of second hand cars that are imported illegally; and the quality of those second hand vehicles is getting better and better.

c)Unleaded petrol
since December 2005, SOGARA produces unleaded petrol. Because the distribution networks were not improved before, delivery at the stations became effective only during the second semester 2006.
The validation of quality tests of unleaded fuel allowed the cars dealers to import new models equipped with catalytic converters.

d)Gazole
The sulfur rate in gazole remains very high. The dealers now face difficulties to import vehicles with sophisticated injection engines.