During the first 11 months of 2019, 2,421 luxury vehicles were sold in Panama, a figure 8% higher than that reported for the same period in 2018.
According to the most recent report from the General Comptroller of the Republic, between January and November 2018 and the same period in 2019, in general the number of units registered in the country fell slightly, from 45,896 to 44,101.
According to the downward trend reported in recent years, between January and April this year 15,771 vehicles were registered in the country, 8% less than in the same period in 2018.
The most recent figures of the General Comptroller of the Republic, detail that between the first quarter of 2018 and the same period of 2019, the number of units registered in the country fell from 17.098 to 15.771.
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.
Between January and September 2018, in accordance with the behavior reported since last year, 37,078 new vehicles were registered, 13% less than in the same period in 2017.
According to the most recent figures of the General Comptroller, from January to September 2018, 12,938 new automobile type vehicles were registered, 21% less than the 16,299 units registered in the same period of 2017.
During the first eight months of 2018, 33,343 new vehicles were registered, 13% less than in the same period of 2017, according to the behavior reported since last year.
The latest figures from the General Comptroller's Office show that from January to August 2018, 11,767 new car-type vehicles were registered, 20% less than the 14,643 units registered in the same period in 2017.
Between January and April 2018, 17,099 units were registered, 10% less than in the same period in 2017, reaffirming the decreasing trend that has been seen for several months.
Figures from the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic report that from January to April 2018, 6,145 new vehicles were registered, 18% less than the 7,454 units registered in the same period in 2017.
Following the trend seen since last year, in January 2018 in car sales in Panama sale registered 3,997 units, 1% less than was reported in the same month in 2017.
Figures from the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic show that in January 2018, 1,552 new vehicles were registered, 10% less than the 1,716 units registered in the same month in 2017.
At the end of November 2017 the downward trend continued, adding up to almost 53 thousand new vehicles registered since January, 14% less than in the same period in 2016.
Figures from the Comptroller General of the Republic show that in November 2017 3,556 new vehicles were registered, almost 50% less than the 6,899 units registered in the same period in 2016.
The union of vehicle distributors projects better results in the second semester than those obtained between January and June, closing the year 2017 with 19,000 units sold.
At the Andiva Motor Show 2018, which begins today in Managua, the Nicaraguan Association of Automotive Vehicle Distributors (Andiva) plans to sell between 1,800 and 2,000 units.
Between January and August of this year, 38,213 new vehicles were registered, 15% less than in the same period in 2016.
Figures from the Comptroller General of the Republic indicate that in August, 4,432 vehicles were registered, of which 1,595 corresponded to the automobile category, 189 to luxury cars, 1,650 to SUVs, 93 to minivans, 101 to panel vans, 596 to pickup trucks, 89 to buses, 98 to trucks and 23 were in the category 'others'.
In the first half of 2017, the Treasury department recorded the entry of 27,315 units, 10% less than the 30,290 registered in the same period last year.
Although several vehicle distribution agencies claim to have recorded increases in their sales during the first half of the year, in general the market has decelerated compared to the same period in 2016.
The business sector estimates that if the trend observed in the first semester is mantained, by the end of the year the overall sales will be 3,000 units below the sales of 2016.
The Superior Council of Private Enterprise (Cosep) estimates that in the first half of the year vehicle sales were 15% lower than those in the same period in 2016.According to the Cosep, last year 20 thousand vehicles were sold.
In the first quarter of the year,14,891 new cars were sold, which is 1,298 more than in the same period last year.
It is expected that this year the growth rate will be maintained and will rise above the 7% increase that was reported in 2014, when 60,000 new cars were sold during the year. Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Suzuki and Honda were still the most sought after brands, according to information from the Association of Automobile Dealers of Panama (ADAP).
During 2014 15.100 new vehicles were sold which is 4.45% more than sold in 2013.
Although the automotive industry experienced a slight slowdown in sales in early 2014, goals for the end of the year were reached, thanks to a rebound in the fourth quarter.
Elnuevodiario.com.ni reports that "... In 2012 a total of 12,524 units were sold, which demonstrates the annual rate of growth of the sector which is benefiting from the financing terms offered by various financial institutions. "
Between January and October this year more than 1,300 high-end vehicles were sold, equivalent to 5% of new car sales in the same period.
According to the Association of Importers and Distributors of Motor Vehicles, the bestselling luxury car brands up until October of this year were: Audi, with 382 units, BMW, with 340 units sold, Land Rover with 127 units and finally Porsche with 104 cars.