Oman Vehicle Registrations Hit 5.5% Growth in H1 2025: What This Means for the Local Auto Market

A data-driven examination of passenger and commercial vehicle registrations across Oman in the first half of 2025 — implications for EV adoption in Oman 2025, the rise of digital car-buying Oman services, and the evolving dynamics of the used-car market Oman.

By OmanWheels Editorial • Published: August 2025 • Data sources: NCSI, ROP, Dealer Networks, OmanWheels Market Scan

Executive summary

Oman recorded a 5.5% growth in vehicle registrations for H1 2025 compared to H1 2024. The increase reflects a combination of strengthened passenger-car demand, a sharper rise in light commercial vehicle registrations (supporting logistics and rental fleets), and a measurable uptick in EV registrations in urban centres. While the headline growth appears modest, the underlying shifts — higher commercial fleet turnover, improved online channels for purchase and financing, and rising EV interest — Electric & Hybrid cars in Oman 2025. signal structural changes that will influence dealer strategy, import patterns, and the used-car market dynamics for the next 24–36 months.

H1 2025 registration snapshot — Passenger vs Commercial

The table below summarises the registration counts and growth rates for passenger and commercial vehicles through the first half of 2025 (Jan–Jun), as compiled from ROP and NCSI aggregated reports and OmanWheels market scans.

Notes: figures are compiled from combined public registration releases and sampled dealer reporting; numbers are rounded to the nearest 50 units for clarity.

Color SVG — Vehicle registrations growth (2015–2025)

Breaking down the numbers — passenger vehicle trends

Passenger vehicle growth (+4.1% YoY H1 2025) demonstrates continuing consumer demand as confidence returns and personal mobility remains central to households. Key observations:

• Compact & mid-size SUVs remained the top-selling segments, reflecting practical family needs and road conditions across Oman.
• Young urban buyers (Muscat & Salalah) show higher interest in feature-packed compact cars and affordable crossovers — supporting brands that offer standard tech and warranty at competitive price points.
• EV adoption in Oman 2025 is visible in passenger segment mix — EV registrations represent a rising share (see next section) though still small in absolute numbers compared to ICE vehicles.

Passenger segment table — H1 2025 snapshot

Commercial registrations: Light commercial vehicle surge

Commercial registrations jumped +13.0% YoY in H1 2025, led by light commercial vehicles (LCVs) — vans, mini-trucks and pickups. Several structural drivers explain this pattern:

• E-commerce & last-mile logistics: demand for compact vans and LCVs rose as businesses refresh their delivery fleets.
• Rental & tourism fleet renewal: rental companies replaced older units ahead of high-season travel and to meet safety regulations.
• Construction & industrial projects: regional infrastructure development required more light trucks for material movement.

Commercial vehicle composition — H1 2025

EV adoption in Oman 2025 — where we stand

EV adoption in Oman 2025 remains an emergent but accelerating trend. While EVs still represent a small percentage of total vehicle registrations, year-on-year growth is strong, particularly in Muscat and urban governorates where charging infrastructure is expanding. Imported Car age Rules in Oman.

Key metrics & dynamics

• EV share (H1 2025): ~3.5% of passenger registrations (approx. 1,400 units) — up from ~1.9% in H1 2024.
• Popular EV models: compact crossovers and affordable long-range models (e.g., BYD ATTO / MG EV variants) dominate adoption.
• Infrastructure: public and private charging stations increased by ~30% year-on-year, reducing range anxiety in urban commuting.
• Policy & incentives: modest import and registration incentives plus growing corporate fleet electrification programs underpin EV interest.

EV adoption is not uniform across Oman — Muscat accounts for >60% of EV registrations due to higher charger density and urban commuter distances. However, fleet electrification pilots (rental and corporate fleets) are expanding EV visibility in Salalah and Sohar.

Digital car-buying Oman — online channels reshape purchase journeys

The trend toward digital car-buying Oman accelerated in 2024–25. Buyers increasingly research, compare and even complete transactions online. Key elements:

• Online listings & marketplaces: detailed vehicle data, verified history, and virtual tours enable confident remote purchases.
• Financing & digital approvals: integration with banks and fintech has reduced time-to-funding for buyers — crucial in closing online deals.
• Home delivery & inspection: certified inspection and doorstep delivery options make buying online practical for busy consumers.

Impact on dealer networks

Dealers are adapting by offering hybrid online-offline sales — digital lead capture, virtual showrooming, and contactless paperwork. Those who combine transparent online listings with after-sales service packages have seen faster inventory turnover and stronger margins.

Used-car market Oman — supply, demand & pricing pressures

The dynamics of the primary market directly feed the used-car market Oman. H1 2025’s growth in registrations increased both the pipeline of near-new trade-ins (from rental and corporate fleets) and market competition among dealers and online platforms.

Used market highlights — H1 2025

• Supply influx: higher commercial and passenger registrations mean supply of 1–3 year old used cars is rising — easing price pressure for value buyers.
• Price trends: popular models with strong service networks (Toyota, Nissan) retained higher resale premiums; Chinese brands are narrowing the resale gap.
• EVs in used market: early-stage EV trade-ins exist but remain limited due to warranty periods and battery health concerns — buyers are cautious without certified battery checks.

Used pricing table (illustrative)

Regional breakdown: Muscat vs Sohar vs Salalah

Registration growth is not uniform across the sultanate:

• Muscat: strongest passenger growth and EV adoption (dense charging network, higher disposable incomes).
• Sohar & Industrial North: commercial registrations rose fastest driven by industrial projects and logistics demand.
• Salalah: tourism-related rental fleet renewals and seasonal demand contributed to mixed passenger/commercial growth.

Why regional differences matter

Dealers and fleet operators should tailor inventory and service offerings by region — e.g., stocking LCVs and spare parts near Sohar’s industrial zones, while focusing on EV-friendly packages and compact SUVs in Muscat.

Dealer & importer implications

The 5.5% overall growth with a commercial spike implies:

• Inventory strategy: dealers should increase LCV stocks and certified nearly-new passenger cars with detailed service history to capture both fleet and retail demand.
• After-sales investment: expand light-commercial service bays, mobile fleet maintenance, and quick-turn parts supply to reduce fleet downtime.
• Pricing & financing: competitive financing and warranty bundles will be decisive in converting digital leads into purchases.

Policy & infrastructure: enabling EV adoption and sustainable growth

For the trends to translate into long-run benefits, policy and infrastructure must keep pace. Key policy levers include:

• Charging infrastructure rollout: accelerate public chargers on key corridors and in urban centres.
• Incentives: registration and import incentives for EVs to accelerate fleet electrification pilots (tax reductions, first-year rebates).
• Standards for used EVs: battery health reporting and certified inspections for used EV trade-ins to build buyer confidence.

Progress in these areas will push the needle for EV adoption in Oman 2025 and beyond.

What this means for consumers

For car buyers and fleet managers in Oman:

1. More choices: increased registrations mean a wider selection of nearly-new used cars and LCVs entering the market.
2. Better deals: competitive pressure from online channels and dealer promotions can lead to lower effective prices and improved financing.
3. EV evaluation: urban buyers should evaluate EVs seriously — check local charging availability and total cost of ownership (TCO) rather than sticker price alone.

Data limitations & methodology

This report synthesises registration releases from Oman’s public agencies (NCSI/ROP), dealer network sales reports, and OmanWheels’ marketplace data sampling. H1 2025 figures are compiled and rounded for clarity. While the trend and directional analysis are robust, readers should note granularity limitations in sub-segment splits and OEM-specific sales disclosures.

Actionable recommendations — for policymakers, dealers and buyers

For policymakers

• Fast-track public charging corridors and simplify EV import/registration for fleet pilots.
• Encourage certified used-EV inspections and battery-health disclosure standards.

For dealers & importers

• Invest in LCV stock and mobile fleet maintenance services to capture fleet demand.
• Enhance online listings with 360° inspections and verified service histories for trust-building in digital car-buying Oman.
• Offer flexible finance and certified warranty packages to attract both private and corporate buyers.

For buyers & fleet managers

• Prioritise total cost of ownership (fuel, maintenance, insurance) over sticker price.
• When considering EVs, evaluate local charging options and service support.
• Use trustworthy online platforms to compare offers, but confirm physical inspections before purchase.

Outlook — 2026 and beyond

Assuming continued economic activity and infrastructure investment, the local auto market is poised for gradual expansion. We expect:

• LCV demand to remain robust as logistics and tourism drive commercial mobility.
• Gradual but steady increase in EV adoption, aided by charging rollout and corporate fleet pilots.
• Digital channels to capture an increasing share of sales and to push transparency across listings — benefiting the used-car market Oman by reducing information asymmetry.

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Closing thoughts

Oman’s 5.5% registration growth in H1 2025 is more than a statistic — it reflects shifting mobility needs, growth in commercial activity, and the opening chapters of electrification and digital buying. For stakeholders across the ecosystem — policy makers, dealers, and buyers — the path forward is clear: modernise infrastructure, embrace digital trust mechanisms, and focus on value-driven offers that address both ownership cost and convenience.

At OmanWheels we will continue tracking weekly registration trends, EV adoption signals, and marketplace behavior to keep our readers and industry partners informed.

© 2025 OmanWheels — Market data and analysis. For data licensing, custom reports or editorial enquiries contact editorial@omanwheels.om. Sources include NCSI, ROP registration data, Statista regional reports and OmanWheels proprietary marketplace sampling.