By Ousman Jatta
The importation of second hand vehicles in the country has intensified over the past years. Part of the reason of this trend is as a result of the introduction of electric cars in Europe, America and Asia, which is now creating pressure for developing countries, as a result of the influx of vehicles imported annually.
Second hand vehicles of different categories could be spotted in almost every corner of the country. With the outbreak of the deadly Covid–19 pandemic coupled with the high tax levied on cars at the port, most car dealers are struggling to maintain their businesses.
Musa Njie, a local car dealer said: “If you see people are complaining about the high cost of vehicles, is because the custom tax charged at the port is too costly, before it was cheap, but now it is different.”
According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the global on-road vehicle fleet is set to double by 2050, with most future car purchases taking place in developing markets.
But while there is consistent rise in the importation of used cars vehicles in The Gambia, middle class Gambians cannot afford them.
“So if you consider what you spend on buying the car, plus the shipment is not very easy on us,” Njie said.
