Cars and vehicles in Taiwan

 

Taiwan has a distinctive automotive culture that reflects its dense cities, mountainous terrain, and advanced tech scene. Here's a breakdown:






Popular Vehicle Types in Taiwan

  1. Scooters & Motorcycles – Dominant in daily life:

    • Over 13 million registered scooters (more than half the population!)
    • Brands: Kymco, SYM, Yamaha, Gogoro (electric)
    • Used for commuting, deliveries, and short-distance travel
  2. Compact & Subcompact Cars – Ideal for tight urban roads:

    • Toyota Corolla Altis
    • Honda Fit (Jazz), Mazda3, Nissan Tiida
    • Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Venue
  3. SUVs – Gaining popularity:

    • Toyota RAV4 (top-selling SUV)
    • Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson
  4. Electric Vehicles (EVs) – Growing interest, especially in scooters:

    • Gogoro – Dominates the e-scooter market with battery-swapping network
    • Tesla Model 3/Y
    • EV infrastructure is expanding but still behind some countries
  5. Luxury & Imported Cars – Niche but visible:

    • BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Porsche
    • Higher taxes and prices due to import duties





Vehicle Regulations & Infrastructure

  • Drive on the right side of the road
  • Well-maintained highways and urban roads
  • Car ownership is less common in cities due to traffic, parking costs, and strong public transport
  • Annual vehicle inspections required
  • Vehicle tax based on engine size and age







Local Auto Industry

  • No major local car brands, but Taiwan has a strong auto parts and electronics industry
  • Yulon Motor assembles and distributes Nissan and Luxgen (its own brand with limited success)
  • Taiwan is a global supplier for EV components and smart car tech






Driving Culture

  • Urban driving can be chaotic, especially with scooter traffic
  • Many prefer scooters or MRT (metro) in Taipei, Kaohsiung, etc.
  • Road trips are popular around Taiwan’s scenic coastal highways and mountains