After vehicle sellers in Guatemala in 2020 faced a complex panorama as a result of the crisis caused by the pandemic, during the first quarter of the year a 30% y-o-y increase in the number of new imported units was reported.
Statistics from the Superintendence of Tax Administration (SAT) detail that in the first three months of 2021, close to 9,300 new vehicles were imported in the country, a figure that exceeds by 30% what was reported in the same period of 2020.
In Guatemala, Cofiño Stahl opened a new service center in Alta Verapaz, at kilometer 214 of the road from Cobán to San Pedro Carchá.
The new enclosure will have the services of alignment, balancing and 4 bays for the support of the maintenance of the automobiles, one of express service, in which the service will be provided by means of appointment programming.
99,000 vehicles came into the country in 2014, of which 30% were new cars and 70% used ones.
Compared to the figures reported in 2013, imports of new cars grew by 11% and used cars by 17%.In 2014, the month registering the highest number of new imported vehicles was November, with 3,264, while for used vehicles it was December, with 2846. Car sales rose by 8.2% compared to 2013.
The first months of 2014 show that the industry is recovering from the decline in sales in 2012/2013 caused by the entry into force of the first registration tax.
An article in Prensalibre.com reports that José Javier Casas, general maanger of Cofino Stahl and president of the Union of Motor Vehicle Importers (Aidva) noted that "... In 2013 25,789 units were sold, in 2012 27,028 were sold; however, we predict that this year will close with an increase of 10%. According to Casas, this would mean about 30 thousand units being sold. Is expected that this will be achieved in the medium term and that they will beat the record of 2007, when 36,000 new cars were sold. "
Payment of the bonus raises expectations of better sales in cars and electronic equipment.
Jose Cofino, marketing manager at Volkswagen, said it expects a 30% increase in sales during July, while according to Cofiño Stahl, distributor for Toyota, "July is one of the best months," because the “14” bonus helps people pay the deposit, which in past years resulted in sales increases of 20%.
In the first quarter of this year a total of 7,000 new units were imported, compared with 5,307 in the same period in 2010.
It was a different situation for the importation of used vehicles, which fell by 4.2% from 22,807 in the first quarter of 2010 to 21,829 in 2011.
Elperiodico.com.gt reports, "José Javier Casas, manager of Stahl Cofiño , explains that the automotive market has recovered this year, as reflected in increased imports and sales of vehicles. "
On June 23rd, Cofiño Stahl, the Toyota distributor in Guatemala will officially launch the hybrid vehicle Toyota Prius.
More than 1.2 million Toyota Prius´ have been sold in 40 countries since it was introduced to the market in 1997, breaking the world record for the sale of vehicles in the hybrid category. The majority of these cars sold are circulating in the United States.
The business anticipates opening a new agency to assist clients in September.
The manager of sales, Jorge Vallendor, announced that next month they will present the 5-passenger Audi Q5 vehicle.
Roxana Larios writes in an article in Sigloxxi.com: "Starting this month, Group Cofiño Stahl will market Audi cars after the acquisition of Regesa, which is part of Continental Motors," reports the general manager of the Group, José Javier Casas.
Automotive dealership Cofiño Stahl ventured into the motorcycle market after the collapse in car sales.
Car sales have decreased by more than 60% in the last year, forcing the sector to react and adapt. In the face of this situation, Cofiño Stahl, Chevrolet dealer, decided to enter the growing motorcycle market by importing and distributing the Chinese brand Genesis.
In February 2009, 1,156 new cars were imported, a drop of 61.5% when compared to the 2,927 new cars imported in February 2008.
With regard to used vehicle imports, the decrease during the same period was 31.5% because 5,613 units were imported in February 2009 and there were 8,200 during the same period in 2008.
Nelson Escalante, a spokesman for the Used Vehicle Importers Union, told El Periódico of Guatemala, "The economic situation is tough and people are no longer saving to buy a car." He also indicated that if "the Congress of the Republic approves the establishment of the First Registration of Vehicles Tax (Iprima) to replace the current import tariff and surcharge with a rate of 26% on the estimated value of the vehicle, sales could drop between 50% and 60%, leaving about 150 thousand people out of business."
Sales of automobiles in Guatemala in the first four months of the year were 6.3 percent down on the same period of 2007, in tandem with a slowdown in the economy.
The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors said 10,910 units were sold from January through March, down from 11,645 in the 2007 period.
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