Cuba is taking further steps to modernize its aging vehicle fleet, largely composed of classic american cars kept running through ingenuity and necessity [[1]]. State-owned Cimex Corporation is now offering Chinese-made KYC F3 pickup trucks for nearly $30,000, alongside a growing selection of vehicles from Chinese automaker Dongfeng Motor Corporation. These moves come after new regulations enacted in 2024 aimed to ease vehicle imports and sales, though affordability remains a key obstacle for most cuban citizens.
Cuba’s state-owned Cimex Corporation is now offering Chinese KYC model F3 pickup trucks for $29,950, as the country continues efforts to modernize its vehicle fleet.
The vehicles are available for purchase at a Cimex agency located on Calle 20, between Primera and Tercera streets, in the Playa municipality, according to reports from the Cuban News Agency.
Designed for both commercial and personal use, the KYC F3 boasts a maximum payload capacity of 745 kilograms (approximately 1,643 pounds), seating for five, and a 1.6-liter engine.
The truck is a light-duty, double-cab model with a manual transmission and 4×2 drivetrain, making it suitable for daily operations and both urban and intercity travel, promotional materials indicate.
The KYC F3 is primarily distributed in Latin America and Asia, with both gasoline and diesel versions available, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine producing 114 horsepower.
Compared to other Chinese pickup trucks available in the region, such as the Foton Tunland and the JAC T8, the KYC F3 offers a lower cargo capacity, positioning it as a better fit for medium-duty tasks rather than heavy-duty applications.
This addition to the Cuban market aligns with Cimex’s strategy of diversifying the country’s automotive offerings through agreements with international manufacturers.
The move follows a recent announcement from Chinese state-owned automaker Dongfeng Motor Corporation regarding the availability of its vehicles for sale in Cuba this year. The Dongfeng catalog lists prices ranging from 15,900 euros (approximately $21,010 USD) to 34,100 euros (around $37,510 USD).
The 18 vehicle types available include eight gasoline-powered models, six electric vehicles, two diesel options, and two hybrid vehicles.
Vehicle Sales in Cuba
In 2024, the Cuban government implemented new regulations governing the import, sale, and transfer of vehicles, aiming to address the country’s longstanding transportation challenges and modernize its aging vehicle stock.
The regulations, published in Official Gazette No. 128 of 2024, took effect on January 1, 2025. Despite these regulatory changes, vehicle prices remain largely inaccessible to the majority of Cuban citizens.
Key provisions of the new framework include:
-Reduced commercial margins to 20% for state-owned entities.
-Preferential tariffs of 10% for electric and fuel-efficient vehicles, while internal combustion engine vehicles face rates of up to 30%.
-Incentives for importing electric vehicles and developing charging infrastructure.
-The ability to transfer vehicles between individuals and legal entities.
The government is also prioritizing the sale of used vehicles from the tourism sector in local currency, although pricing will still be determined by secondary market conditions.
While these reforms represent a step toward modernizing Cuba’s vehicle fleet, current prices continue to present a significant barrier to entry for most of the population. The introduction of new models like the KYC F3 and Dongfeng vehicles signals a broader effort to expand consumer choice, but affordability remains a key challenge.
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