The Chinese cars that are changing Cuba

The U.S.'s efforts to normalize relations with Cuba could eventually lead to an influx of American imports into the country. But when it comes to automobiles, one country has got there first: China.

Cuba has long been known for its 1950s American cars lining its streets, but Havana is now home to a small, but growing, number of brand new Asian automobiles which are altering the landscape.

Until recently, Cubans' choice of vehicles had be somewhat limited.

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After being hit by a U.S. embargo in 1960, residents have lovingly maintained a plethora of American Pontiacs, Buicks, Chevys and Cadillacs. The Communist country's close ties with the former-Soviet Union also means that there's also a large fleet of Russian Ladas from the 1970s and 1980s that outnumber the older American models.

But among the relics, a clutch of Chinese-made Geely CKs and South Korean Kias have found a home, after new laws that came into effect in January removed the limits on car purchases for the first time in 50 years.

Even before the reforms, workers at government ministries were allowed to import the cars, meaning that 10,000 Geely units were already in the country, according to China's Global Times, which cited statistics from the car manufacturer.

The Chinese company accounted for 50 percent of car imports in Cuba by the end of 2013, according to the newspaper, equal to the combined share of Kias, Peugeots (UG-FR) and other brands.

But there's a problem facing many ordinary Cuban consumers tempted by one of these Asian motors: the price.

Using the Cuban convertible peso (CUC) - which is equivalent to the U.S. dollar and is used by tourists and the more affluent Cubans - a new car can be pricey. A vehicle that might cost the equivalent of around 20,000 CUCs ($20,000) in the U.S. or Europe would be worth around 80,000 CUCs in Havana.

"These vehicles are still very expensive and out of reach. Property transfer operations in Cuba are heavily taxed," Diego Moya-Ocampos, a country analyst at research firm IHS who deals specifically with Cuba, told CNBC via email.