New models, better financing conditions and increased imports of used units would boost the sale of electric vehicles next year in Costa Rica.
Danissa, Q Group, BMW and Laudreni Auto, agencies in the country dedicated to marketing electric vehicles, estimate that between 2019 and 2020 their combined sales will increase by 45%, from 342 to 497 units.
Arguing that the objective is to ensure that used cars into Costa Rica are in optimal condition, the new Customs authorities are tightening controls on imported units.
Importers of used vehicles in Costa Rica report that since the new General Director of Customs took office in January this year, is promoting a new guideline that generates uncertainty in the sector.
In December 2016, 20% of the vehicles circulating in the countries of the region were between 1 and 5 years old, and 19% between 6 and 10 years old.
Data from the report"Vehicle Fleet in Central America 2016" compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaDatashows the different characteristics of the vehicles circulating in Central American countries.
In Costa Rica, companies in the automotive sector predict that eventual abrupt increases in the price of the dollar would have a greater impact on the spare parts market than on the sale of vehicles.
Most of the vehicle distribution agencies in the country agree that if the exchange rate continues its upward trend, a negative effect could be seen on the automotive spare parts market, since these are products that are imported in dollars but sold in colones, the local currency.In the case of vehicles, which are marketed in dollars, most companies believe that the dollar price increase has not yet had a significant impact, but they are focusing on advising their customers on how to manage the foreign exchange risk when taking out a loan to buy a car.
In the past five years used cars lost 24% of market share due to improvements made in installment terms and interest on loans for buying new vehicles.
The market for used vehicles in Costa Rica has seen five years of decline, lacking attractive incentives for imports and being at a competitive disadvantage to the new vehicles market.
In 2014, 84 000 new and used vehicles were sold in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Nicaragua alone, and it is expected that 2015 will close with an annual growth of nearly 10% across the region.
While the region has generally shown an upward trend in the marketing of vehicles, mainly new ones, the characteristics of each of the countries, particularly with regard to access to bank credit, makes the behavior of the auto market different in each.
After 2013 recorded a decrease of 3.4% compared to 2012, sales of new and used cars from January to September this year increased by 6% compared to the same period last year.
Elfinancierocr.com notes that "... The Association of Importers of Vehicles and Equipment (Aivema) recorded that, in nine months, 27,161 units have been sold, including cars, pick up trucks, sports vehicles, vans and light trucks; 60 different brands in over 26 dealerships. In the same period in 2013, 25,609 units were sold. "
Under pressure from importers the government has lowered taxes for importing used motor vehicles, but diluted the reduction by increasing the notional taxable value.
Car dealers in Costa Rica are asking for the establishment of a new formula for calculating taxes on used vehicles.
Cars between 0-6 years old will incur a 30% selective excise tax with a tax burden of 53%, and those over 6 years old will incur a tax of 48% and have a tax burden of 73%.
From a press release from the Ministry of Finance in Costa Rica:
Sellers of used cars in Costa Rica believe there is discrimination in the way the Ministry of Finance estimates import taxes on cars.
According to Jose Carballo, president of the Costa Rican Automotive Chamber, the industry complains that 52% is charged for new vehicles, while used cars which are over six years old are charged 79%.
español
2428