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.
As of September 2019, imports of vehicle parts into the Costa Rican market totaled approximately $46 million, and purchases from U.S. companies increased 5% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
In the first half of last year, imports of vehicle parts in Honduras totaled nearly $76 million, representing a decrease of 2% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
In the first half of last year, imports of vehicle parts into Panama totaled about $127 million, representing a 14% increase over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
Explore data in the interactive display.
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
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"]
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"]
In the first quarter of the year the country reported nearly $50 million in purchases of vehicle parts, and imports from Japan grew by 3% compared to the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Vehicle Parts and Accessories Market in Costa Rica, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In the first quarter of 2018, Central American countries imported $19 million worth of car batteries from Mexico, and 49% were bought by companies in Guatemala and Honduras.
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 graph"]