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Cyprus Saloon Car Registrations Surge In May Amidst Market Adjustments

Sharp Increase In May Registrations

Cyprus experienced a significant upsurge in saloon passenger car registrations in May 2025, with figures reaching 3,715—a robust 11.7% increase compared to May 2024. This marks a notable rebound from April’s 2,924 units, as reported by the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat).

First Five Months Reveal Mixed Trends

Over the first five months of 2025, overall registrations for saloon passenger cars declined by 5.5%, totaling 16,224 units relative to 17,176 during the same period last year. Of these, new vehicles numbered 6,874 (42.4%), while 9,350 registrations, or 57.6%, were for used cars.

Fuel Type Composition And Brand Leadership

Petrol and hybrid vehicles have maintained nearly equal market shares, accounting for 43.7% and 42.9% of registrations, respectively, as consumers continue to prioritize efficiency and performance. Electric vehicles further edged their market share to 4.7%, up from 3.4% from the previous year, even as diesel-powered cars fell to 8.8% from 10%.

Dominance In The Private Sector And Brand Rankings

Out of the 16,224 saloon vehicles registered from January to May 2025, a significant 13,927 were classified as private. Toyota led overall with 2,784 registrations, followed by Mazda at 1,687. Other prominent brands included Nissan (1,240), Kia (976), and BMW (953), while additional key players such as Mercedes (875), Volkswagen (666), Hyundai (560), Honda (531), and Audi (394) maintained strong market positions.

New Versus Used: Consumer Preferences

When distinguishing new car registrations, Kia emerged as the market leader with 949 new entries, trailed by Volkswagen (560), Nissan (525), Hyundai (519), and Toyota (493). The top ten for new models also featured BMW (393), Mercedes (331), Jeep (284), Renault (282), and Audi (243).

Resilience Of The Used Car Market

Used saloon cars sustained their dominance, representing over half of total registrations in the first five months of 2025. Toyota and Mazda led this segment with 2,291 and 1,653 used car registrations, respectively. Nissan, BMW, and Mercedes also registered significant numbers, further cementing the continuing consumer preference for pre-owned vehicles.

This evolving landscape underscores a dynamic market in Cyprus where consumer preferences are driving shifts in fuel efficiency, brand loyalty, and the balance between new and used vehicle acquisitions.

Evel Elects New President As Maria Theocharous Takes Over For 2026–2029 Term

Maria Theocharous has been elected president of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Evel), taking over from Yiannis Tsouloftas for a three-year term covering 2026–2029. Theocharous previously served as the chamber’s vice-president for tourism.

The leadership transition marks a new chapter for one of Cyprus’ main regional business organisations, with the new board set to represent the district’s key economic sectors.

New Leadership Emphasises Cooperation

The chamber’s annual meeting brought together government, business and local authority representatives, including Energy, Commerce and Industry Minister Michael Damianos, Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) president Stavros Stavrou, Limassol district local government organisation president Yiannis Tsouloftas and Limassol mayor Yiannis Armeftis.

Speakers highlighted the importance of closer cooperation between public authorities and businesses in supporting Limassol’s economic development.

Representatives of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC) also congratulated Theocharous on her election and thanked the outgoing president for his cooperation. The CSC described Evel as a longstanding partner, noting the chamber’s contribution to Limassol’s business development over more than six decades.

Tsouloftas Reviews Six Years As President

In his final address, Tsouloftas reviewed the chamber’s work between 2020 and 2026, highlighting its advocacy for major infrastructure projects and efforts to address development challenges across the district.

He also outlined initiatives to remove obstacles facing local businesses, accelerate development plans and improve the conditions for economic activity.

Tsouloftas will remain involved as immediate past president, providing continuity during the transition.

New Board Covers Key Business Sectors

The new board includes representatives responsible for the chamber’s main portfolios:

  • Ilikos Charalambous, vice-president for commerce
  • Vasos Demetriades, vice-president for industry
  • Christos Nicolaou, vice-president for services
  • Nicolas Agiomamitis, vice-president for tourism
  • Ilias Theodorou, vice-president for finance
  • Demosthenes Mavrellis, vice-president for innovation and technology
  • Ilias Neocleous, honorary secretary

Other board members are Minos Agathocleous, Marios Antoniou, George Demetriou, Anastasios Kounoudis, Marios Constantinou, Xanthos Nemptsas, Antonis Pappas, Charalambos Pattichis, Chrysis Petousis, Farah Shammas, Andreas Tsouloftas and Kyriacos Hadjiathanasiou.

Costas Ioannides, Agathi Katsi, Anna Petraki, Filippos Filis and Tonis Hadjiloucas have been appointed members by distinction. The chamber also highlighted the growing participation of women in business leadership and decision-making.

Chamber Recognises Longstanding Contributions

The annual meeting also recognised businesses and individuals for their contributions, including members who have maintained continuous membership for 50 years.

Tributes were paid to three former contributors to the chamber, Tonis Antoniou, Dimi Mavropoulos and Andreas Laou, in recognition of their service.

Under Theocharous’ leadership, Evel begins its 2026–2029 term with a board covering commerce, industry, services, tourism, finance and innovation. Its priorities include continuing to represent Limassol businesses and advocating for the investment and cooperation needed to support the district’s economic growth.

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