At the end of 2019, 32% of the vehicles circulating on the streets of Central America were of the brands Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai, while Honda, Suzuki, Kia, Isuzu, Mazda and Ford shared 25% of the total.
The report "Vehicles in Central America", from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData collects the most updated information on the automotive market in Central American countries.
Toyota, Nissan and Isuzu represented almost 60% of the light freight vehicles circulating in the countries of the region at the end of 2018.
An analysis of CentralAmericaData's Trade Intelligence unit provides details on the characteristics of the different vehicles transiting the streets of Central American countries.
At the end of 2018, 86% of the units circulating in the Guatemalan streets were cars and light cargo vehicles, and the remaining 14% were heavy cargo and buses.
Data from the report "Vehicle Fleet in Guatemala up to the first quarter 2018" compiled by the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData, provides details on the characteristics of the different vehicles that transit the streets of Central American countries.
In the first months of 2018 about 30% of the cars in circulation were of the brands Mitsubishi, Mazda, Chevrolet, Ford, Suzuki, Volkswagen and KIA.
Data from the report "Vehicle Fleet in Central America" compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData, provides details on the characteristics of the different vehicles that transit the streets of Central American countries.
JCB from England, Isuzu Motors Limited from Japan and China Railway International Group CO have set up under the conditions of the regime known as SEM (Sede de Empresa Multinacional or Site of a Multinational Company)
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced that from these sites companies will provide services to their subsidiaries in the region.
As of June 2017, 36% of automobile or sedan-type vehicles that circulated in countries in the region were of the Toyota and Hyundai brands.
Data from the report "Vehicle Fleet in Central America 2017" compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData shows different characteristics of the vehicles circulating in Central American countries.
In the first half of 2017, the Treasury department recorded the entry of 27,315 units, 10% less than the 30,290 registered in the same period last year.
Although several vehicle distribution agencies claim to have recorded increases in their sales during the first half of the year, in general the market has decelerated compared to the same period in 2016.
In Costa Rica, companies in the automotive sector predict that eventual abrupt increases in the price of the dollar would have a greater impact on the spare parts market than on the sale of vehicles.
Most of the vehicle distribution agencies in the country agree that if the exchange rate continues its upward trend, a negative effect could be seen on the automotive spare parts market, since these are products that are imported in dollars but sold in colones, the local currency.In the case of vehicles, which are marketed in dollars, most companies believe that the dollar price increase has not yet had a significant impact, but they are focusing on advising their customers on how to manage the foreign exchange risk when taking out a loan to buy a car.
The union of vehicle dealers reported that the brands Toyota, Hyundai and Kia led sales in the country, with 35,000 units sold in 2016.
Figures from the Association of Automobile Dealers in Panama (ADAP) indicate that these three brands are the most commonly traded in the country. Capital.com.pa indicates that the Toyota brand"... leads the list with 42,249 vehicles sold in the last three years. In 2014 14,223 cars were sold and although in 2015 there was a drop in sales (13,642) they rebounded in 2016 and 14,384 cars were sold."
In the first ten months of the year distribution agencies report having sold 2,115 units.
The companies who are member of the Association of Importers of Vehicles and Equipment (Aivema) reported increases of between 4.6% and 10% in imports of trucks in recent years, in a market with a high level of competition.
Of all vehicles circulating in the country at the end of 2015, 63% were automobiles, 19% motorcycles, 13% light duty vehicles and 3% heavy load vehicles.
Figures from the report "Vehicular Fleet in Central America" prepared by the Business Intelligence unit at CentralAmericaData.com, indicate that 1.3 million vehicles were in circulation up to December 2015, of which 63% were cars.
In the first quarter of the year,14,891 new cars were sold, which is 1,298 more than in the same period last year.
It is expected that this year the growth rate will be maintained and will rise above the 7% increase that was reported in 2014, when 60,000 new cars were sold during the year. Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Suzuki and Honda were still the most sought after brands, according to information from the Association of Automobile Dealers of Panama (ADAP).
In 2014 60.304 new vehicles were sold, 7% more than in 2013, with Toyota, Hyundai and KIA being the top of the list of best selling brands.
According to the Automobile Dealers Association of Panama (ADAP), sales projections for 2014 were for 58,000 units, however, with the Panama Motor Show sales surpassed 60,000 units. It is expected that for 2015 growth will be around 2% to 4%.
In 2013 61.815 vehicles entered the country having a total value of $540 million, with Toyota, Kia and Honda being the three most imported brands.
In 2013 vehicle imports into Guatemala fell by 5.5% compared to total imports in 2012, going from $570 million to $540 million (CIF value), according to a report prepared by the Department of Commercial Intelligence at CentralAmericaDATA.COM.
During 2013 the import of used vehicles in Costa Rica declined by 45%, the biggest drop since the 2009 crisis.
Importing used cars has ceased to be a business in Costa Rica. Last year the entry of used vehicles into the country declined by 45%, the strongest decline since the 2009 crisis.
Credit facilities provided by banks and the "new rules for the import sector in relation to the tax value of the units, odometers (mileage meter), total losses and new security devices have all affected sales."