In the second quarter of 2021, Guatemala is positioned as the largest importer in the Central American region with $32.3 million, during this period the main country supplying tires for trucks and buses is China.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
China is the source market for imports that has remained the most stable since 2012, since in that year it represented 42% of regional purchases and in 2020 it represents 72%.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"].
Transporte Masivo de Panama S.A. tenders the supply of original spare parts and tools for Volvo chassis for Gran Viale B7R and Torino B290R buses that make up the company's fleet.
Panama Government Purchase 2021-2-81-01-08-LP-003129:
"The Contractor shall maintain proper inventory levels in all warehouse facilities and possess the specialized tools that facilitate the work of technicians in order to perform preventive and corrective maintenance in each of the six (6) workshops that make up each Operation and Execution Center (COE) of Transporte Masivo Panama, S.A., for a period of thirty-six (36) months counted from the notification of the order to proceed issued once the respective contract has been countersigned.
Between the first four-month period of 2020 and the same period of 2021, vehicle sales in the local market increased by 20%, a rise that is largely explained by the behavior of marketed units of cars and SUVs.
The Office of the General Comptroller of the Republic reported that between April 2020 and the same month of 2021, the number of new units registered in the country increased 2,634%, going from 117 to 3,199.
During the first months of 2021, 20% of the automobile-type vehicles circulating on the streets of Central American countries were Honda, Mazda, Chevrolet and Ford brands, while of the total number of light-duty vehicles, Isuzu, Hyundai and Hino accounted for 10%.
The report "Vehicle fleet in Central America", from CentralAmericaData's Business Intelligence area, gathers the most updated information on the automotive market in Central American countries.
Costa Rican Social Security Fund tenders the supply of pick up, microbus, ambulance and truck type vehicles.
Costa Rican Government Purchase 2021LN-000002-0001101101161:
"Detail of vehicles required:
-Pick ups diesel engine 4x4 traction, manual gearbox, four doors, with capacity for 5 passengers.
-High roof microbuses with capacity to transport 15 passengers, 4x2 traction, with four cylinders and manual gearbox.
In Central America, tires for buses and trucks from Thailand have gained importance in terms of the amount purchased, since in the first half of 2014 they represented 0.4% of total imports and for the same period of 2020 the proportion rose to 5%.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"].
Restrictions on mobilization due to the number of plates, the fear of using public transportation and the increase in demand for delivery services explain the 8% growth that Guatemala's vehicle fleet experienced between 2019 and 2020.
As a result of the outbreak of covid-19, during the second quarter of 2020, Guatemalan authorities decided to suspend ground passenger transportation and also imposed restrictions on the mobility of vehicles with private plates, which were applied based on their license plate number.
After the Ministry of Communications announced the new protocols for passenger transport companies to operate, the transporters disagree with the sanctions that will be imposed on them when they fail to comply with the rules.
Ministerial Agreement 645-2020 was published, a document that details the circulation protocol that must be complied with by extra-urban passenger transport units, for the application of the Health Alert System for the covid-19 epidemic.
The General Directorate of Public Procurement tenders vehicles, buses and trucks, for State entities during the period 2020-2022.
Panama Government Purchase 2020-1-27-0-99-LM-002148:
"Given the situation of fortuitous case or force majeure, which in some way prevent the holding of the Preliminary Meeting and Approval in person, this will be carried out virtually, using technological means, thus creating a stable 'online' session, which will allow consultations by participants and give verbal or written answers by the General Directorate of Public Procurement.
During May 2020, only 96 vehicles were reported for sale in the Panamanian market, 98% less than the same period in 2019.
The General Comptroller of the Republic reported that in the context of restrictions to economic activity by the outbreak of covid-19 sales have fallen considerably, since between May 2019 and the same month of 2020, the number of new units registered in the country decreased from 4,048 to 96.
At the beginning of 2020, 25% of the automobile type vehicles circulating on the streets of Central American countries were of the KIA, Suzuki, Mazda and Nissan brands, while of the total of light cargo vehicles, Ford, Mitsubishi and Chevrolet monopolized 14%.
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.
The Ministry of Education tenders the supply of different types of vehicles for use in the Operational Areas of the institution.
Dominican Republic Government purchase MINERD-CCC-LPN-2020-0005:
"Vehicles required:
-30 mini buses of 30 passengers, from 2019 onwards, 6 cylinders minimum, reinforced suspension, diesel fuel, high roof, cloth seats.
-20 double-cabin vans, model year 2020, five-passenger, six-speed automatic, 4-wheel drive, 3,000 to 3,200 cc turbo diesel engine, diesel fuel.
In the first six months of 2019, countries in the region imported $106 million in bus and truck tires, and purchases from companies in China grew 11% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]