The authorities in Guatemala informed that the importation and registration of used vehicles that are seven years old or older, and whose engine does not start, will not be allowed.
The importer or assistant of the Customs Agent duly accredited before the Customs Service, may request before the customs authority, if deemed appropriate, the authorization to carry out a permitted activity whose objective is the corroboration of the starting or ignition of the vehicle, informed the Intendencia de Aduanas.
During the first semester of the year the sale of 108,000 new vehicles was recorded, well above the 67,000 used units sold in the same period.
According to figures from the Superintendency of Tax Administration, between January and June 2017 and the same period of this year, sales of new vehicles went up by 28%, rising from 84,075 units to 107,949 units.
Up to December 2017, 45% of the vehicles circulating in countries in the region were automobiles, and 13% were light load units.
Data from the report "Vehicular Fleet in Central America", compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData, details the different characteristics of the vehicles that transit the streets of Central American countries.
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.
Currently, the average engine size of new cars sold in Guatemala is 1,485 cc, while in 2011, the average size was around 1,625 cc.
Figures from CentralAmericaData's report entitled "Central American Vehicle Park" show that between 2011 and 2017, the average engine size of the vans sold in Guatemala was also reduced, as in 2011 average engine capacity was 2,962 cc, while in 2017 this figure is around 2,419 cc.
In December 2016, 20% of the vehicles circulating in the countries of the region were between 1 and 5 years old, and 19% between 6 and 10 years old.
Data from the report"Vehicle Fleet in Central America 2016" compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaDatashows the different characteristics of the vehicles circulating in Central American countries.
Of the total number of vehicles circulating in the country in December 2016, 35% were automobiles, 31% motorcycles, 22% light-duty vehicles and 7% heavy load vehicles.
Figures from the report "Central American Vehicle Park", prepared by CentralAmericaData's Business Intelligence Unit, show that as of December 2016, 2.2 million vehicles were circulating in Guatemala, of which more than half were automobiles and motorcycles.
The distributors' association reports a reduction of almost 4% in new vehicle sales for the first quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2016.
Jean Pierre Devaux, executive director of the Association of Importers and Distributors of Motor Vehicles (Aidva), commented to S21.gt that between January and March of this year"...6 thousand 894 new units have been sold."
In 2016 the value of imports of lubricants from the United States fell by 6% compared to 2015, going from $96 million $90 million.
Figures from the information system on the the Lubricants Market in Central America , compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData : [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
In the first nine months of 2016, imports of vehicle parts grew by 13% in value compared to the same period in 2015.
Figures from the Information System on the Marketfor Vehicle Parts and Accessories in Guatemala,complied by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [Figure caption = "Click to interact with graphics"]
Following a downward trend that occurred between 2009 and 2013, sales of used cars have now started to pick up, recording an increase of 35% in 2016 compared to 2015.
Distribution companies attribute the used car sales increase in the last two years to an increase in insecurity and loss of value of the dollar against the local currency.
Suzuki S.A., Canella S.A. and Agencia y fábrica Honda S.A. are the three companies with highest number of commercial establishments dedicated to the sale of motorcycles, cars, and spare parts in the country.
In Guatemala 5,500 commercial establishments are registered in the automotive sector dedicated to selling vehicles, parts and replacements, 75% of which are concentrated in the department of Guatemala.
The SAT has announced that from January 2017, 42% of the commercial value of the vehicle will be applied when calculating the amount of import tax to be paid.
The taxable values for calculating the circulation tax on vehicles (ISCV) will not be changed.Abel Cruz, Indentent of Revenue, told Prensalibre.com that"...The new amendments, which will come into effect on January 1, 2017, refer to the SAT applyling 42% of the commercial value of the vehicle, a figure supplied by distribution companies."
In December 2015, 22% of the vehicles circulating in the countries of the region were between 1 and 5 years old, and 19% were between 6 and 10 years old.
The report "Vehicular Fleet in Central America in 2015," compiled by the Business Intelligence unit at CentralAmericaData com details the age of vehicles circulating in the countries in Central America.