Georgia’s declining automotive trade is affecting not only car importers and logistics companies but also thousands of ordinary citizens and public sector employees, according to Aleksandre Noniadze, head of the Georgian Association of Auto Importers and Vehicle Owners. Speaking on BMGTV, he said many people relied on car trading as an additional source of household income or a way to invest their savings.
Noniadze said the impact has reached people from various professions, including police officers, rescuers, prosecutors and even doctors, many of whom were involved in importing and reselling vehicles. He added that the sector’s difficulties have significantly reduced incomes and caused financial losses for small-scale traders.
According to Noniadze, logistics companies have reported trade declines of 20% among major operators and 60–70% among small and medium-sized businesses. He also estimated that 60–70% of car dealers have largely suspended trading, while higher investment costs, longer delivery periods and reduced profit margins have pushed many operators out of the market.
The association head urged the government to reconsider recent legislative changes increasing vehicle excise taxes. According to Geostat, Georgia's car re-exports generated $1.5 billion in the first nine months of 2026, down $475 million (24%) year-on-year, while vehicle imports fell 13% to $2.6 billion.
