PHNOM PENH, June 30 (Xinhua) -- An automotive industry insider said here on Tuesday that the demand for new vehicles in Cambodia is increasing, a trend projected to persist due to improving living standards.
Chhoeurn Makara, project manager at auto distributor RMA Cambodia, said Cambodia has around 100 automotive brands, including new and used passenger cars, commercial vehicles, buses, and trucks imported through official distributors, importers, and grey-market channels.
He said about 30,000 new and 15,000 used vehicles in various brands were sold in the Southeast Asian country from January to May this year.
Makara said market share for new vehicles rose to 66 percent in the first five months of this year, up from 59 percent in 2025, while used vehicles dropped from 41 to 34 percent.
"If the current trend continues, new vehicles could account for 80 to 90 percent of vehicle sales by 2028, while used vehicle sales are expected to continue declining but not disappear," he said at the 2026 automotive outlook forum.
According to Makara, the kingdom currently has 12 automotive assembly plants. ■
