Iraq is witnessing a sharp rise in Chinese car imports. In just the first half of this year, Iraq imported more than 18,000 vehicles from China. That number marks a major increase compared to the 10,000 vehicles brought in during the same period last year. This rapid growth clearly highlights Chinese cars in Iraq.
This jump in numbers mirrors a broader regional trend. Across the Middle East, imports of Chinese vehicles rose by 65% in the first six months of the year. Total exports to the region reached over 584,000 units, far above the 353,000 seen last year. As a result, China’s presence in the regional auto market continues to strengthen.
The value of these exports also saw strong growth. China made $7.7 billion from vehicle exports to the Middle East, up from $4.5 billion last year. This increase shows how demand is rising quickly, especially for electric vehicles.
Among all Middle Eastern countries, the United Arab Emirates led the pack. The UAE brought in more than 221,000 Chinese vehicles, more than twice the number imported the year before. Saudi Arabia followed, importing 123,000 units, while Turkiye received around 91,000.
Jordan stood out with the fastest growth. The country imported over 23,000 Chinese cars this year, a dramatic rise from only 2,000 last year. This is a staggering 962% increase, showing strong interest from Jordanian consumers in affordable Chinese models.
Electric vehicles are gaining ground too. They made up 10% of China’s car exports to the Middle East. The UAE took in 25,000 electric cars, Turkiye 20,000, and Jordan added 15,000 to its streets. Clearly, the push for cleaner transport is growing across the region.
Looking beyond the Middle East, China exported over 750,000 electric vehicles worldwide. Belgium topped the global import list, bringing in more than 100,000 Chinese electric units. This global demand adds to the momentum behind Chinese manufacturers.
Back in Iraq, the trend shows no signs of slowing. Analysts expect that Chinese cars in Iraq will continue to increase in the coming months. Experts from Iraq’s Future Foundation predict total Chinese auto exports to the region will pass one million units by the end of the year.
With affordable pricing and rising interest in electric models, Chinese cars in Iraq are becoming a powerful economic signal of shifting preferences in the region.