This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 2/28/2017

Overview                                                                                           

Madagascar has a single publicly owned car company, but it produces very few vehicles, and these do not meet international export-standards.  As such, the vast majority of the market for vehicles is serviced through imports. 
Units: USD thousands
 201320142015
(Jan-May)		2016
(estimated)
Total Market SizeN/AN/AN/AN/A
Total Local ProductionN/AN/AN/AN/A
Total Exports31826748N/A
Total Imports28,43926,3487,944N/A
Imports from the U.S.1,9961,763686N/A
Exchange Rate: 1 USD2,308.322,414.812,738.88N/A
Total Market Size= (Total Local Production + Total Imports) - (Total Exports)
Data Sources:
Total Local Production: N/A
Total Exports: Malagasy Customs (FOB)
Total Imports: Malagasy Customs (CIF)
Imports from U.S.: Malagasy Customs (CIF)
Products covered are within HTS Chapter 87 including all categories between 870321 and 870324.  Cars running with diesel are not included, since they are not produced on a large-scale in the United States, nor deemed to suit the Malagasy market.           

Opportunities                                                                                  

U.S. brand cars are popular in Madagascar, especially the hatchback and sedan models.  Some U.S. brands have traditionally been seen as fuel inefficient and incompatible with Madagascar’s high fuel costs, however, the more recent American models have been deemed more economic and perfectly in line with the Malagasy consumer’s requirements.  Small and less expensive cars fit the average Malagasy family’s needs, whereas pickup trucks and utility vehicles fit those of internationally-owned extractive firms operating in the country.  

Resources                                                                         

For additional information on export opportunities in vehicles, potential exporters can contact the Ministry of Commerce, the American Chamber of Commerce, or other business associations (see Chapter 9).  Please also do not hesitate to contact the Embassy’s Political-Economic Section for more information.
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.