Sorry that this topic is old. but here are more information
In 80s, the government mostly were controlling most of the trade. they made deals to import American car, and that Passat from Brazil in large numbers, also known in Iraq as "Brazili" for Brazilian. this was very popular. the government also granted some of those models especially the Passat as compensation to families of those killed in war, and as gift for those served in war. There were also government sponsored list to give free cars to people. I remember my father registered but he never got one.
Celebrity started to appear in the end of 1989 and 90 also in large numbers. in 1991, there were cars stolen from Kuwait, but those didn't make much difference in the streets of Iraq unlike previous comment.
In 90s, most cars deteriorated and stayed almost same. but in end of 90s, the government imported from South Korea KIAs in huge numbers, that's why you see a lot of KIAs. the mini-buses mostly sold in regular prices in market, some mini-suvs grants to government managers. There were little cars coming from abroad by private owners during that period.
After 2003, immediately after the invasion. people started to import second hand cars, mostly through UAE to Kuwait then to Iraq. Opel immediately entered after 2003, even in right hand wheel which supposedly illegal in Iraq, but with no traffic law enforcement, those cars with right hand steering wheel were driving in the street en masses. Streets became overcrowded.
I know friends that were working on importing cars from Kuwait, until later they were ambushed by armed gangs. Some passed away as result .
During that time already car shops started to modify steering wheel to the left.
But American cars have been always in Iraq and well known, but along with German, Japanese and Russian cars. Many Iraqis love their American cars. I even saw on news hummers dealership .
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