In the first months of 2018 about 30% of the cars in circulation were of the brands Mitsubishi, Mazda, Chevrolet, Ford, Suzuki, Volkswagen and KIA.
Data from the report "Vehicle Fleet in Central America" compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData, provides details on the characteristics of the different vehicles that transit the streets of Central American countries.
Between January and May of 2018, 21,716 new units were registered in Panama, 12% less than in the same period in 2017, reaffirming the downward trend observed since last year.
The most up-to-date figures from the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic show that from January to May 2018, 7,747 new vehicles were registered, 19% less than the 9,549 units registered in the same period in 2017.
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.
Up to December 2017, 45% of the vehicles circulating in countries in the region were automobiles, and 13% were light load units.
Data from the report "Vehicular Fleet in Central America", compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData, details the different characteristics of the vehicles that transit the streets of Central American countries.
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.
Last year the region imported $422 million worth of motorcycles, and 80% of purchases were made from companies in China and India.
Information from the interactive system Motorcycle Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData, [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graph"]
In the first semester of 2017, Central American countries imported $174 million worth of motorcycles, 12% less than in the same period in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the the Motorcycle market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
The union of vehicle dealers in Panama expects stability in sales of new cars next year, after the year 2017 showed deceleration with respect to the previous year.
Laestrella.com.pa reports that "...The executive explained in an interview with Xinhua that Panama should not expect to see a greater fall in 2018 than in 2017, following a period between2000 and 2016, with a slight interruption in 2008 and 2009, in relation to with the global crisis, in which Panama's economy grew significantly, as did vehicle sales."
As of June 2017, 36% of automobile or sedan-type vehicles that circulated in countries in the region were of the Toyota and Hyundai brands.
Data from the report "Vehicle Fleet in Central America 2017" compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData shows different characteristics of the vehicles circulating in Central American countries.
In September, registrations of new vehicles showed a 13% decrease compared to the same month in 2016, mainly explained by a 20% drop in the sale of automobiles.
Figures from the Comptroller General of the Republic show that between January and September, 4,301 new vehicles were registered, 13% less than the 5,083 units registered in the same period in 2016.
Currently, the average engine size of new cars sold in Guatemala is 1,485 cc, while in 2011, the average size was around 1,625 cc.
Figures from CentralAmericaData's report entitled "Central American Vehicle Park" show that between 2011 and 2017, the average engine size of the vans sold in Guatemala was also reduced, as in 2011 average engine capacity was 2,962 cc, while in 2017 this figure is around 2,419 cc.
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.
The dealers' association projects closing 2017 with a 10% drop in new vehicle sales compared to last year.
The figures for the first three months of the year have not been very encouraging for companies that import and sell new cars in the country, since during that period the number of new vehicles registered was 11% lower than in the first quarter of 2016.
The union of vehicle dealers reported that the brands Toyota, Hyundai and Kia led sales in the country, with 35,000 units sold in 2016.
Figures from the Association of Automobile Dealers in Panama (ADAP) indicate that these three brands are the most commonly traded in the country. Capital.com.pa indicates that the Toyota brand"... leads the list with 42,249 vehicles sold in the last three years. In 2014 14,223 cars were sold and although in 2015 there was a drop in sales (13,642) they rebounded in 2016 and 14,384 cars were sold."