Cambodia’s automotive market boasts a unique landscape—used cars capture up to 90% of market share, earning the country the title “Used Car Paradise.” Japanese brands heavily influence this market. The Honda CR-V stands out as one of the brand’s most popular models in Cambodia, thanks to its outstanding reliability, practicality, and strong resale value.
1. Cambodia’s Market Prefers Used Cars and Japanese Brands
Cambodia’s automotive market features a distinctive structure. According to 2021 data, used vehicles make up about 90% of annual car imports. New cars represent just 10% of the market.
High import taxes primarily drive this phenomenon. New cars face import duties reaching 122.75% of the vehicle’s value. Luxury cars incur an additional 20% tax.
Japanese brands dominate the Cambodian market. World Automobile Organization (OICA) statistics show that Japanese brands like Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Suzuki led new car sales in 2019.
In the used car market, Japanese vehicles claim over 90% of share. Cambodian consumers particularly prefer SUV and pickup truck models. This preference stems from the country’s complex road conditions: only main urban roads have pavement, while dirt roads dominate elsewhere. Potholes become especially common during the rainy season.
2. Why the Honda CR-V Wins Cambodian Consumers’ Favor
In Cambodia, the Honda CR-V ranks among the top-selling models. It shares popularity with the Toyota Camry, Toyota Hilux, and Lexus SUVs.
The CR-V’s global reputation significantly boosts its appeal. This model stands as one of the world’s most successful compact SUVs. By 2025, Dongfeng Honda’s CR-V had surpassed 15 million units in cumulative global sales.
The CR-V’s ability to handle complex road conditions gives it another major advantage in Cambodia. It offers good ground clearance and an available Real Time AWD™ system. These features prove particularly valuable for Cambodia’s challenging roads.
Spaciousness and Fuel Economy: The CR-V earns praise for its excellent interior space and practicality. Its fuel efficiency also impresses—the turbocharged 1.5L version achieves up to 34 MPG on highways (approximately 6.9 liters per 100 kilometers).
Strong Resale Value: Honda has always maintained a reputation for high resale value. While data specific to Cambodia remains unavailable, the Honda Accord retains 62.9% of its value after five years in overseas markets. This performance reflects the brand’s strong value retention.
3. Product Portfolio—Diverse Options From Gasoline to Hybrid
The Honda CR-V provides multiple powertrain options to suit different consumers. The gasoline version features a 1.5L turbocharged engine that delivers 190 horsepower.
The hybrid version generates 204 horsepower combined. It consumes as little as 40 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. Honda also offers the CR-V e:FCEV hydrogen fuel cell plug-in hybrid version, which provides a 270-mile combined range.
Recently, Cambodia’s electric vehicle market has demonstrated explosive growth. Registered electric vehicles reached 2,253 units in 2024—a dramatic 620% increase from the 313 units recorded in 2023.
Although electric vehicles still hold a relatively small market share, growth momentum remains strong. BYD, Toyota, and Tesla currently rank as the most popular electric vehicle brands locally.
4. Honda’s Important Position in the Motorcycle Market
Beyond automobiles, Honda holds a significant position in Cambodia’s motorcycle market. NCX Company began importing complete Honda vehicles to Cambodia in 1992. The company established its first production line in Phnom Penh in 1999.
Today, the company assembles five motorcycle types: Click, Scoopy, Dream, Wave, and Beat. Before the pandemic, it assembled and sold approximately 400,000 motorcycles annually. In 2024, the company installed and distributed about 250,000 units.
The Honda SH125 scooter also enjoys strong popularity across Southeast Asia. This model features a water-cooled 125cc engine. Consumers favor it for its fuel efficiency and durability.
5. Market Outlook—Rapid Growth in the New Car Market
Although used cars dominate Cambodia’s market, new car sales have grown significantly in recent years. First-quarter 2025 figures show new car sales reached 19,000 units—a 48% year-on-year increase.
The Cambodian market now hosts numerous globally renowned automotive brands. These include Ford, Land Rover, Changan, Peugeot, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, GAC, BYD, Hongqi, and Tesla.
This diversity indicates that Cambodia’s automotive market continues to expand. Consumers now enjoy richer choices. As local economic development drives higher consumption levels, premium brands like Audi, Porsche, Jaguar, and Land Rover have opened sales outlets in Cambodia.
Cambodia’s economy continues developing rapidly. First-quarter 2025 new car sales surged 48% year-on-year to 19,000 units. This growth means more consumers can afford new cars.
However, high import taxes and the price advantage of used cars will keep the used vehicle market dominant for the foreseeable future.
The Honda CR-V will likely maintain its leading position among Honda models in Cambodia. Its reliability, excellent resale value, and capability on complex road conditions continue to drive its popularity.
