For the third quarter of 2021 a slow recovery of the automotive sector is seen, reaching purchases in the Central American region for $451 million, with China being the main supplier, with 27% of the market.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
In the first quarter of 2020, the region imported vehicle parts and spare parts for an amount of approximately $267 million, 7% less than that recorded in the same period of 2019, a decrease that is mainly explained by the behavior of purchases by Panamanian companies.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graph"]
Retail sales in the automotive sector in Central America are predicted to be significantly affected by the covid-19 crisis, which would be partially explained by the drop in tire sales.
The "Information System for the Impact Analysis of covid-19 on Business", prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, measures the degree of impact that the crisis will have on companies according to their sector or economic activity, during the coming months.
In the first half of 2019, the region imported vehicle parts and spare parts worth nearly $560 million, and 50% was purchased by companies in Guatemala and Panama.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
Explore data in the interactive display.
Business in Central America with No Relevant Changes
Super Repuestos, a company dedicated to the marketing of vehicle parts, announced that next year will invest in the opening of two branches, one in El Salvador and another in Honduras.
The sales point of El Salvador will be located in the municipality of Nejapa and the establishment that will operate in Honduras, will be in the city of La Ceiba. Both buildings are currently under construction.
In the first quarter of 2019, the region imported vehicle parts and spare parts for an amount close to $288 million, 6% higher than reported in the same period of 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
In 2018, the region imported parts and vehicle spare parts for a sum close to $1.1 billion, of which 65% were purchased by companies in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
In the first nine months of 2018, the region imported parts and vehicle spare parts worth nearly $830 million, and 49% were bought by Guatemalan and Panamanian companies.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
In the first six months of 2018, the region imported vehicle parts and spare parts worth nearly $560 million, 4% more than it purchased in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
In the first half of 2018, countries in the region imported $105 million worth of vehicle batteries, 8% more than what was purchased in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system Market for Electric Lead Accumulators for Starting Plunger Engines in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
In the first nine months of 2018, Central American countries imported from Mexico $59 million in car batteries, 7% more than what was purchased in the same period of 2017.
Figures from the information system Market for Electric Lead Accumulators for Starting Plunger Engines in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
In the region there are about 15,000 lubrication centers, spare parts stores and auto mechanics workshops, and about 65% of the stores are in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Panama.
An analysis compiled by the Trade Intelligence area at CentralAmericaData provides interesting results on where and who are the stores that provide services related to the automotive sector in Central America.
The region imported vehicle parts and spare parts for about $270 million in the first three months of the year, and 65% was purchased by companies in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama.
Figures from the Central American Vehicle Parts Market information system from the Trade Intelligence Area of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
The countries of the region imported batteries for vehicles for $50 million in the first quarter of 2018, and 60% was purchased by companies in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Electric Lead Accumulators to Start Piston Engines in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]