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"]
During the first seven months of 2018, 28,959 new vehicles were registered, 14% less than in the same period in 2017, aggravating the behavior that has been reported since last year.
According to the latest report from the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic, from January to July 2018, 10,205 new vehicles were registered, 22% less than the 13,048 units registered in the same period in 2017.
In line with the behavior reported since last year, during the first semester, 25,522 new vehicles were registered in Panama, 13% less than in the same period in 2017.
According to the latest data from the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic, between January and June 2018, 9,012 new vehicles were registered, 21% less than the 11,368 units registered in the same period in 2017.
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.
In 2017 imports of vehicle parts in Guatemala totaled approximately $306 million, which represents an increase of 4% compared to the previous year.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Spare Parts for Vehicles in Guatemala, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA Caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
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 2016, $170 million worth of motorcycles were imported, 9% more than in 2015, and the value imported from China and India grew by 6% and 9%, respectively.
Figures from the information system on the the Motorcycle market in Guatemala, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
According to the guild of vehicle importers, the premium car and SUV segment accounts for about 15% of total sales.
Data from the Association of Importers of Vehicles and Machinery (Aivema), "... on imports and sales shows that the total number of premium cars and SUV's oscillates between 5% and 8% of the 36,000 new units that came into the country in 2017, but they represent 15% of sales.