Young Consumers Fuel Cambodia’s USD 865M Car Market Surge, Ford Plant Boosts Industry

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Nov. 28, 2025) — Cambodia’s automobile market is accelerating rapidly as family car imports reached USD 865 million in the first ten months of 2025 — a surge of nearly 58% compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

Industry leaders say the boom is being fueled by Cambodia’s young and growing middle class, who are now entering peak car-buying age. Ngorn Saing, Country Manager at RMA Cambodia, noted that demand has risen steadily each year since the pandemic, as more young people seek mobility and convenience.

Improving economic conditions, higher employment levels, and rising incomes are also driving stronger purchasing power, pushing car demand to new highs. Increasing investor activity in the country has added further momentum to the market.

In 2024, Cambodia spent more than USD 1 billion on importing all types of vehicles, up from nearly USD 903 million in 2023 — reinforcing a clear trend of sustained market expansion.

Adding to the momentum, RMA Cambodia inaugurated a second Ford sub-assembly plant in Pursat in April 2025, presided over by Prime Minister Hun Manet. The facility represents a landmark investment in Cambodia’s industrial growth, diversifying the economy and strengthening the automotive supply chain.

The facility is capable of producing more than 10,000 vehicles annually, marking a major step in Cambodia’s automotive industry. In 2025, Ford Cambodia earned international recognition when the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International) officially validated its vehicle identification number — a milestone that allows cars assembled in Cambodia to carry the label “Made in Cambodia, by Cambodians.”

Since 2022, the company has assembled 7,492 vehicles, including popular Ford Ranger pick-up models — Wildtrak, XLT and XL — as well as SUVs such as the Ford Everest Titanium, Everest Sport and Ford Territory.

Operated by RMA Cambodia, Ford’s presence in the Kingdom dates back to 1997, with dealerships and service centers in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. The new plant is expected to support local assembly, create jobs, and reduce reliance on imports while meeting rising domestic demand.