As of January 2020, electric vehiclesimported into El Salvador and Honduras will be exempt from the import duty, which was 30% in El Salvador until now.
During the first ten months of 2019, 2,210 luxury vehicles were sold in Panama, a figure 9% higher than that reported in the same period of 2018.
According to the latest report of the General Comptroller of the Republic, between the first ten months of 2018 and the same period of 2019, the number of units registered in the country fell slightly, from 41,182 to 40,940.
From January to June 2019, companies from Central American countries imported new tires for $221 million, a figure 3% higher than that reported in the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
After the number of new vehicles sold in Panama fell 11% between 2017 and 2018, this year the distributors’ guild estimates that the year-on-year decline could be just 2%.
With the changes in the Manual of Procedures for the Inspection of Vehicles in force since November 6, the used units that are imported into Costa Rica and that have been declared in total loss or taken out of circulation in their country of origin, will not enter.
The importation is prohibited for registration of used vehicles established in Article 5 of the Transit Law such as, total loss, removed from circulation in their country of origin, unauthorized structural joints, altered odometers or right-hand drive, that have been declared in total loss in their country of origin or that do not comply with certain parameters that protect the final beneficiary as purchaser of the same in our country, explained the Ministry of Finance.
The number of luxury vehicles marketed during September in Panama increased by 6% compared to the same month in 2018, a rise that contrasts with the fall in vehicle sales overall.
According to the report of the General Comptroller of the Republic, between the first nine months of 2018 and the same period of 2019, the number of units registered in the country fell from 37,084 to 34,906.
At the end of the first half of 2019, 8% of the units on the streets of Central America were Honda, 7% Nissan, and 6% Hyundai, while Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Kia, Mazda and Ford made up 20% of the total.
The report "Vehicular Fleet in Central America", from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData gathers the most updated information on the automotive market in Central American countries.
In Guatemala, transporters are asking to postpone the entry into force of the rule that establishes that vehicles of 3.5 tons and 12 passengers and above must install a device that will report the speed at which they circulate.
The regulation in Governmental Agreement 38-2019, published in April of this year, establishes that as of November 14 heavy transport units must carry a device that will have the function of measuring the speed at which vehicles travel, which must not exceed 80 kilometers per hour.
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.
In the first quarter of 2019, the region imported vehicle parts and spare parts for an amount close to $288 million, 6% higher than reported in the same period of 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Excel Automotriz opened a new service center of 2 thousand square meters, at kilometer 126.5 of the highway to the Atlantic in Rio Hondo, Zacapa.
Company executives informed that in the new service center there will be maintenance and repair of vehicles, and also sell different types of spare parts.
In Panama, the decreasing behavior of reported sales continues, since between January and August of this year 31,498 vehicles were registered in the country, 6% less than in the same period of 2018.
According to the latest report of the General Comptroller of the Republic, between the first eight months of 2018 and the same period of 2019, the number of units registered in the country fell from 33,349 to 31,498.
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