If you’ve ever thought about buying a car in Bangladesh, you probably had a moment where you checked the price, looked at your bank balance, and muttered, “Maybe next year.” The truth is, owning a car in Bangladesh feels more like a luxury than a necessity. But why are cars so expensive here? Let’s break it down and see why the car price in Bangladesh is high enough to make you reconsider your life choices.
Picture this: you see a car priced at $20,000 in another country. That sounds manageable, right? But in Bangladesh, you’d need around $60,000 for the same car. Why? Because our government loves taxes almost as much as we love cricket(or used to).
High Import Duties are the main culprit behind the car prices in Bangladesh
Every imported car is hit with customs duty, VAT, supplementary tax—you name it. By the time your dream car is ready for sale, it’s carrying a tax load heavier than Dhaka traffic on a rainy day.The government imposes customs duties, VAT, and supplementary taxes on imported vehicles. Combined, these taxes can account for up to 300% of the car’s original price. For example, a mid-range car priced at $20,000 abroad and that same car price in Bangladesh can be $60,000 , that’s really high.
No Local Manufacturing: Where Are Our Homegrown Cars?
Ever notice how cars are cheaper in countries like India or Thailand? That’s because they make their own cars. Meanwhile, we’re stuck importing almost everything.
Imagine if we had local car factories—jobs would be created, prices would drop, and maybe we wouldn’t have to sell our kidneys just to buy a Toyota. But until that day comes, we’re at the mercy of international carmakers and shipping companies.
Shipping and Logistics: The Hidden Costs behind car prices in Bangladesh
Your car has a long journey before it reaches you. It’s shipped across oceans, handled at ports, and sometimes sits in warehouses for weeks. All these logistics costs pile up faster than the traffic on Gulshan Avenue during rush hour. And who pays for all this? You, of course.
Middlemen and Dealerships: The Price-Padding Champions
In Bangladesh, car dealerships often remind you of that one friend who “forgets” their wallet at dinner—they just keep adding to your tab. With little competition in the market, dealers can set prices as they please.
Negotiating with them feels like trying to haggle at a luxury boutique. You might get a small discount, but they’ll make sure you leave feeling grateful they didn’t charge you more.
Used car price in Bangladesh is also high
You might think buying a used car would save you some cash. Think again. The government imposes high taxes on older vehicles to discourage imports of outdated models. That means even a second-hand car can feel as overpriced as Dhaka’s overpriced coffee shops.
Demand Outpacing Supply
Bangladesh’s middle class is growing, and with it, the desire for cars. But here’s the problem: the number of cars in the market hasn’t kept up. It’s like trying to buy festival tickets when the whole country is online at the same time. The result? Car price in Bangladesh shoot up, and you’re left wondering if a bicycle might be a better option.
Weak Currency Makes Things Worse
The Bangladeshi Taka isn’t exactly winning any “Strongest Currency” awards. Importing cars means dealing in dollars, and when the Taka loses value, prices rise. It’s like a double whammy—first taxes, then exchange rates. No wonder your budget feels so small.
Poor Public Transport: No Other Choice
If public transport were more reliable, fewer people would feel the need to buy cars. But with overcrowded buses and inconsistent schedules, owning a car becomes less of a luxury and more of a necessity. It’s a vicious cycle—the more people want cars, the higher the prices go.
Luxury Cars: A Whole Other Story
For the ultra-wealthy, high taxes on luxury cars are just another number to write off. But for the rest of us, seeing those million-dollar cars on Dhaka’s streets feels like a cruel reminder of how far we are from that level. Meanwhile, we’re just here Googling, “How to turn a CNG into a Tesla.”
Conclusion
The car price in Bangladesh is a product of many factors—taxes, import costs, weak currency, and a lack of local production. While it’s frustrating for buyers, the solution isn’t simple. Until policies improve and local manufacturing takes off, owning a car will remain an uphill battle for most people.
In the meantime, let’s hope public transport improves, and maybe—just maybe—prices come down someday. Until then, here’s to dreaming big and saving even bigger.
FAQs
- Why is importing a car so expensive in Bangladesh? High customs duties, VAT, and logistical costs make importing cars costly.
- Are cars cheaper in other South Asian countries? Yes, due to lower import duties and better-developed local manufacturing facilities.
- Does Bangladesh produce its own cars? No, most cars are imported, as local manufacturing is almost non-existent.
- What are the taxes on used cars in Bangladesh? Taxes on used cars are high, making them only slightly cheaper than new ones.
- How can car price in Bangladesh be reduced? By reducing import duties, fostering local production, and improving public transportation.
