🚘 Globally and at home, the automotive sector witnessed a clear shift in 2025 that’s been described by some as a turning point in the relationship between market and consumer. After a prolonged stall in the market following the pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, the genocide in Gaza, FX volatility, and inflation, signs of recovery began to emerge in terms of both supply and increased demand. The sector saw a “recovery in terms of sales volumes, rather than prices,” according to Al Ahly Pharos Head of Research Hany Genena.

Why are we seeing so many car offers lately? Car dealer and showroom offers increase as their inventory grows and they resort to deeper price and interest rate cuts to clear out stock faster, according to Genena, and we will likely see a continuation of that trend in 2026.

So is this the right time to buy a new car? You might want to wait a little longer, Maged El Taweel, automotive expert, Egyptian YouTuber, and founder of Auto Forsa, told us. A car’s lifespan is measured by its release year, not just its mileage. “There is no need for a buyer to lose part of the car’s value by purchasing a 2025 model when we are on the verge of new models,” El Taweel told EnterpriseAM, especially as we anticipate further interest rate cuts.

But if you intend to purchase the car in cash and know exactly which model suits you, now is a good time. When it comes to financing options, the list is long and confusing, and the process may take some time. Start by setting a budget, which requires understanding the types of cars available. The factors a customer will prioritize are usually based on needs, but El Taweel emphasizes safety as the most critical element when selecting a new vehicle.

Owning a car doesn’t just mean paying the installments, so — as obvious as it may seem — it’s also important to calculate the installment value relative to total income. Other factors to consider are licensing fees, ins., and operating costs like periodic maintenance, fuel consumption, and the cost of spare parts.

The playbook:

  • Identify the type of car you want and fully understand its fuel consumption and maintenance costs;
  • Check if spare parts are easily available or rare and expensive;
  • Compare installment offers from showrooms, dealers, financing platforms, and banks to find the best deal for your budget;
  • Join car owner communities on social media and follow specialized content creators to understand the fundamental real-world differences between various car types.

Bank financing

Once you’ve made your choice, you’ll find that both public and private banks provide car financing loans with amounts starting from EGP 2 mn (AlexBank) up to EGP 10 mn (CréditAgricole), and periods from one year to 10. Financing benefits can vary significantly from one bank to another, giving you a lot to consider — while you might find financing up to 100% of the value at CIB and Crédit Agricole, you can get complimentary life ins. alongside your financing at Bank of Alexandria. Naturally, the process is much easier if the loan is issued by the same bank where the buyer receives their monthly salary.

Required Documents:

  • A copy of the National ID, or a passport for foreigners;
  • A price quote for the car from the dealer;
  • Some banks may request additional documents for freelancers or non-bank customers, including:
  • bank statements for the last six months;
  • an original commercial register for business owners.

Every bank may have its own required documents, and you will find full details on fees and expected interest rates on their respective websites.

Non-banking consumer financing

When applying for a loan through a consumer finance platform, required paperwork is usually limited to a National ID or passport, and income data may be requested in certain cases.

#1- Valu Shift offers plans ranging from six months to seven years. Minimum car value is EGP 600k, with an average interest rate of 15.5% and no administrative fees. The platform also offers perks for a 40% down payment, where a credit study is conducted to obtain the car without a sale ban. Valu also offers conveniences like instant approval, and, in some cases, no ins. requirement, with the ability to pay maintenance installments through the app.

The best part? It’s a fully digitized process. Through the app, the customer can apply by entering data such as the car type (new or used), model details, and price. They then choose a payment plan, enter personal and professional details, and submit the request for approval.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can visit any Valu branch or download the app via the App Store or Google Play.

#2- Contact is one of the more popular consumer finance players in the local automotive sector due to its vast network of dealers and showrooms and flexible payment plans. Contact offers financing up to EGP 10 mn with down payments starting 10% and repayment periods of up to five years.

The benefits: Optional ins., the possibility of early repayment, or paying the first installment after three months, alongside licensing and renewal facilities. The company’s website also features an installmentcalculator. Customers can fill out the application online and attach a copy of their ID to facilitate contact and approval.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can visit any Contactbranch across Egypt or download the app via the App Store or Google Play.

#3- Souhoola launched Start, a program specifically designed for car financing, which allows customers to finance up to 80% of the car’s value — up to EGP 7 mn — with repayment periods extending up to seven years through a group of partnered showrooms.

What distinguishes this option is the promised experience: Souhoola asserts that the credit decision and approval are processed in just one hour using only the National ID.

WHERE TO FIND IT-You can visit Souhoola activation points located in major malls such as City Centre Almaza, Mall of Egypt, and Citystars, or download the app from the App Store or Google Play.

#4- Carofi specializes in car financing and installmentservices, with down payments starting from 10%, financing up to EGP 30 mn, and interest rates starting from 13.9%.

The process: The customer specifies the model, average price, and down payment amount, then contacts the platform via the phone number listed on their website. They then submit the required car documents, including a price quote for the new or used car from an authorized showroom. The app promises quick approval procedures in two hours or less, with car ins. options available.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Carofi operates through WhatsApp primarily, but the platform also provides a digital app for merchants and dealers to help them track and manage financing requests.

#5- Seven, a consumer finance company under Beltone Holding, offers diverse installment deals for luxury goods and various products, including cars. The company provides financing up to EGP 140 mn for new cars with interest rates starting from 10% and zero down payment. Administrative fees are 10%, and repayment plans extend up to four years.

To qualify, the customer must be Egyptian, with an age minimum of 21 and maximum of 60 for government employees and 65 for business owners. Documents required include a national ID, six-month bank statement, medical ins. card, employment letter, and a commercial and tax register for freelancers.

WHERE TO FIND IT-You can visit activation branches in Citystars, City Centre Almaza, and City Centre Maadi, or download the app from the App Store or Google Play.

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