In the countries of Central America, more than 21 million people are looking to buy a vehicle online, and of this consumer segment, close to 4% explore options for acquiring a Suzuki brand car.
CentralAmericaData's interactive information system monitors in real time the changes in consumer habits in all markets in the region, with fundamental information to understand the current commercial environment in which companies from all industries must operate.
In Guatemala since April 12, interactions in the digital environment associated with the purchase of vehicles has rebounded; however, in April and May, prices of cars and pickups grew more slowly compared to the number reportes on the first quarter of the year.
Through a system that monitors in real time changes in price levels, interests and consumer preferences in Central American countries, developed by CentralAmericaData, it is possible to project short and long term demand trends for the different products, sectors and markets operating in the region.
Making alliances with factories, applying distance protocols at points of service and encouraging the use of digital platforms are some of the strategies that have begun to be implemented by new vehicle distributors in the region.
Managers of Grupo Q, a company that operates 40 salesrooms in Central America, explained that given the spread of covid-19 and the restriction of consumer mobility, they are working to deepen alliances with factories and achieve a comprehensive chain of savings in different areas.
Honda invested $8 million in the construction of its new service center, which has a 14,000 square meter area and is located in Zone 10 of the capital.
The Honda Center is a five-story, two-basement building in which the company has areas for salesrooms, parking spaces and vehicle repair shops.
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.
In 2017, the regional spare parts and auto parts market registered a 5% compared to the same period in 2016, motorcycles numbers remain unchanged, and imports of new tires went down 4%.
Data from the interactive report "Automotive market in Central America" compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData.
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.
From March 3 to 5 automotive companies in Guatemala and the region will be exhibiting their products and exploring business opportunities in the Motor Expo trade show.
The event will be held in Parque de la Industria from March 3 to 5 and is expected to include the participation of more than 1,000 business representatives.There will be product displays, networking activities for participating companies and training workshops.
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.
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.