Chinese Pickup Trucks Priced at Nearly $30,000 Offered for Sale in Havana

The state-run corporation Cimex has initiated the sale of Chinese KYC F3 model pickup trucks at a price of $29,950.

These vehicles are available at the agency located on Calle 20, between First and Third Avenue, in the Playa municipality, according to the Cuban News Agency.

Designed for both commercial and personal use, the trucks boast a maximum payload capacity of 745 kilograms, seating for five, and a 1.6-liter engine.

Characterized as a light-duty double-cabin pickup, the KYC F3 features manual transmission and 4x2 drive, making it suitable for daily operations and urban or intercity travel, the promotional information indicates.

The KYC F3 is predominantly distributed in Latin America and Asia, offering gasoline and diesel variants, with engines reaching up to 2.0-liter turbo diesel and 114 horsepower.

When compared to other Chinese pickups like the Foton Tunland and JAC T8, the KYC F3 provides a lower load capacity, rendering it more suitable for medium-duty tasks rather than intensive use.

Cimex notes that the introduction of this model aligns with the strategy to diversify Cuba's automotive offerings through partnerships with international manufacturers.

Recently, the Chinese state-owned Dongfeng Motor Corporation revealed a catalog of cars available for purchase in Cuba this year.

The prices for Dongfeng vehicles in Cuba for 2025 range from 15,900 euros (approximately $21,010) to 34,100 euros (around $37,510).

The 18 types of vehicles available include eight gasoline, six electric, two diesel, and two hybrid models.

Vehicle Sales in Cuba

In 2024, the Cuban government implemented regulations for the importation, sale, and transfer of vehicles, aiming to modernize the country's vehicle fleet and ease the "transportation crisis" affecting the population.

The regulations, published in the Official Gazette No. 128 of 2024, took effect on January 1, 2025. However, despite these regulatory changes, prices remain unaffordable for most citizens.

The regulatory framework includes provisions such as:

• A reduction of commercial margins to 20% for state entities.
• Preferential tariffs of 10% for electric and low-consumption vehicles, while internal combustion vehicles face rates of up to 30%.
• Incentives for the importation of electric vehicles and the development of charging infrastructure.
• The possibility of vehicle transfers between individuals and legal entities.

Moreover, the sale of used vehicles from the tourism sector in national currency is prioritized, though these prices will also be determined based on the secondary market.

While these reforms represent a step toward modernizing the vehicle fleet, the current prices continue to make vehicles inaccessible to the majority of the population.