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.
From January to September 2019, imports of spare parts and vehicle parts in Nicaragua totaled nearly $41 million, 15% less than in the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
From January to November 2019, Central American countries imported $72 million in car batteries from Mexico, 2% more than what was purchased in the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
In the first six months of the year, the countries of the region imported $111 million in vehicle batteries, 6% more than in the same period of 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
Explore data in the interactive display.
Variation in Regional Imports Between the first half of 2018 and the same period in 2019, the value of car batteries imported into Central America registered an increase from $105 million to $111 million.
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
From January to June 2019, companies from Central American countries imported new tires for $221 million, a figure 3% higher than that reported in the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
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"]
Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua are the Central American markets which reported reductions in sales of new and used vehicles during 2018.
According to figures from the Ministry of Finance of Costa Rica, from January to November 2018 imports of new vehicles totaled 31,008 units, and used vehicles 17,134 units, registering falls of 12% and 23% respectively compared to the first eleven months of 2017.
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"]