Automotive Market

Israel's EV market faces severe stagnation as upcoming elections delay crucial purchase tax decisions, leaving importers without inventory and dividing buyers into polarized luxury and budget segments.

GEELY updates its local model lineup: the E5 crossover will be marketed with an enlarged battery and a range of 475 km with no change in price, and a new trim level for the Starray will improve electric range. All the details.

Automotive giant Colmobil announces a strategic move, launching a dedicated service that offers businesses a flexible solution for work vehicle rentals without long-term commitments.

Huge, well-equipped, and cheap vehicles with electric and hybrid drives are conquering the Israeli market. But behind the attractive price, which is often subsidized for competitive reasons, hide significant potential costs in spare parts and maintenance - from giant tires to expensive sensors.

The Tax Authority, the Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection have released the new purchase tax formula for vehicles. Despite rumors, the implementation of a mileage tax remains unlikely in the near term due to regulatory and logistical hurdles.

The Chinese automotive market highlights that post-sale service quality is becoming a key driver of brand loyalty. As the Israeli market undergoes 'Sinization,' it faces similar challenges where poor service standards are beginning to impact brand reputation and long-term vehicle value.

The rush of Israelis for Chinese cars is reaching the importers' reports. Carasso, with the help of the Chery brand, increased its market share to a record of about 15.3%. Delek Automotive, on the other hand, an importer of Mazda that once dominated the roads, is at a record low of 3%. And how much did the importers earn on each car sold?

A new database, govil.ai, uses AI to analyze government data, revealing key trends in the Israeli automotive market, from electric vehicle distribution to recall statistics and personal imports.

As revealed in Globes, Chinese car manufacturers like Chery, SAIC, and Geely are preparing to establish direct offices in Israel. This shift suggests they may decide to take control of their own distribution. Since the beginning of the year, every second car sold in the country was made in China.

Kia is expanding its hybrid vehicle range in Israel with the launch of two new models. The updated Sportage Plug-in Hybrid and Niro Hybrid offer improved fuel efficiency and modern features, with prices starting at 170,000 NIS.

The Ministry of Transport extended the Chery import license until 2030 despite competition concerns, while adopting a cautious approach toward other major importers like Colmobil and Union.

Chinese car exports have reached record levels, accounting for nearly half of the Israeli market. However, this rapid growth hides risks: many brands may disappear, leaving owners without spare parts and support.

The Carasso Group ("Freesbe") has begun importing vehicles from the new Chinese brand LEPAS. Despite being marketed as an independent entity, LEPAS is part of the Chery concern, which currently holds a 22% share of the Israeli automotive market.

The Israeli electric vehicle market is undergoing a shift, moving from mass-market dominance to a polarized landscape. Data indicates a clear correlation between a brand's delivery ranking and its ability to retain value.

BYD is launching the new generation of its popular electric vehicle, the ATTO 3 EVO. We tested the new model to see if it can repeat the success of its predecessor in a challenging market.