KATHMANDU: Passenger car imports remained subdued this year due to the absence of major tax hike rumors ahead of the budget announcement. In (Baisakh) mid-April to mid-May, the first month of the Nepali New Year, Nepal imported a total of 1,438 passenger vehicles. Of these, 1,335 units were electric vehicles, while ICE models accounted for 103 units.
More than 65 percent of the imported EVs were SUVs, with newly launched models dominating the market during the month.
Models like the BYD Atto 2, Deepal S05, iCaur V23, Nammi Vigo, and Jaecoo J6 appeared among the most imported electric SUVs in Nepal.
The BYD Atto 2 became the highest imported SUV during the period. BYD’s official distributor in Nepal, Cimex Inc, imported 250 units of the Atto 2.
The Atto 2 entered the Nepali market only last (Shrawan) mid-July to mid-August. However, total imports have already reached 1,574 units within nine months. In the first four-and-a-half months of 2026 alone, 502 units were imported.
The second most imported SUVs were the iCaur V23 and Deepal S05, with 150 units each.
SPG Automobiles imported the iCar V23, while MAW Vriddhi brought the Deepal S05. The Deepal S05 was launched last mid-July to mid-August, while the iCaur V23 entered the market in (Poush) mid-December to mid-January.
In overall imports for 2026, the iCaur V23 remains ahead. A total of 352 units have been imported in the first four-and-a-half months of the year, while Deepal S05 imports reached 282 units during the same period.
The Nammi Vigo secured third position with 128 units imported during the period. MAW Vriddhi imported the SUVs. Since its launch last mid-July to mid-August, the Vigo has become one of the fast-selling SUVs in the market. Total imports reached 323 units in 2026.
The Jaecoo J6 ranked fourth with 69 units imported during the period. SPG Automobiles recently introduced the facelift version of the J6, which appears to be attracting more customers. Total imports of the J6 reached 91 units in 2026.
The Mahindra BE6 secured fifth position with 32 units imported during the period. Agni Incorporated imported the SUVs. The BE6 has recorded total imports of 156 units in 2026. The model also went on sale in Nepal from last mid-July to mid-August.
