Between the first four-month period of 2020 and the same period of 2021, vehicle sales in the local market increased by 20%, a rise that is largely explained by the behavior of marketed units of cars and SUVs.
The Office of the General Comptroller of the Republic reported that between April 2020 and the same month of 2021, the number of new units registered in the country increased 2,634%, going from 117 to 3,199.
After in 2020 in the Salvadoran market the marketing of vehicles classified as luxury decreased 20%, brands such as BMW expect that 2021 will be better, since its local sales in the first two months of the year started off well by increasing 8% year-on-year.
During last year, 220 premium segment vehicles were sold in El Salvador, 47% of the total number of units sold corresponds to the BMW brand.
After a 50% year-on-year fall in new car sales in 2020, Panamanian businessmen expect a 25% increase in the number of units sold in the local market by 2021.
During the first seven months of the year, 26,188 vehicles were imported to El Salvador, of which 18% were new units and 82% were used. Second-hand cars are still in demand in this new business scenario.
According to representatives of the Association of Vehicle and Automotive Parts Importers (Asiversa), the demand for used vehicles has been maintained in this context of economic crisis, but sales have fallen due to the drop in prices.
Focusing on increasing income from after-sales services and making alliances with banks to offer better financing conditions are some of the strategies that car dealers in Panama intend to implement in this new reality.
Representatives of Ricardo Perez S.A., a Toyota brand distributor in the country, believe that because the purchase of a vehicle represents the second most important financial transaction in a family, the automotive sector will be seriously affected in this context of the spread of covid-19.
Making alliances with factories, applying distance protocols at points of service and encouraging the use of digital platforms are some of the strategies that have begun to be implemented by new vehicle distributors in the region.
Managers of Grupo Q, a company that operates 40 salesrooms in Central America, explained that given the spread of covid-19 and the restriction of consumer mobility, they are working to deepen alliances with factories and achieve a comprehensive chain of savings in different areas.
Due to the crisis generated by the Covid-19, car dealers in Panama estimate that during 2020 the number of units sold could fall by almost 50% compared to the figure reported in 2019.
If businessmen's forecasts are true, the negative trend of recent years would continue, since during 2019 47,866 units were registered in the country, 6% less than in the previous year.
After registering increases in the number of imported vehicles in November and December, car dealers in Costa Rica expect that this 2020 will reinforce the positive trend.
According to data from the Ministry of Finance in November last year, 4152 vehicles were imported into the country, a figure that exceeds by 12% that registered in the same month of 2018.
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.
Although the downward trend in new vehicle sales continues in Panama, the declines in the number of units marketed reported in recent months compared to the same periods in 2018 are decreasing.
In Panama, the downward trend in sales reported in recent years continues, since between January and June this year 23,520 vehicles were registered in the country, 8% less than in the same period in 2018.
According to the latest report of the General Comptroller of the Republic, between the first six months of 2018 and the same period of 2019, the number of units registered in the country fell from 25,521 to 23,520.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of vehicles manufactured in China and sold in the Costa Rican market, due to better quality models and better support from distributors.
Figures from the Association of Importers of Vehicles and Machinery (Aivema) specify that between 2016 and 2018 the number of units sold increased by 17%, from 1,198 to 1,407.
According to the downward trend reported in recent years, between January and May this year, 19,819 vehicles were registered in the country, 9% less than in the same period in 2018.
The latest report of the General Comptroller of the Republic, details that between the first five of 2018 and the same period of 2019, the number of units registered in the country fell from 21,715 to 19,819.
Focusing on segments looking for SUVs is one of the strategies Panama's new car dealers are using to boost sales.
Focusing on segments that seek vehicles such as Data of the General Comptroller of the Republic of Panama specify that between 2016 and 2017 the number of new vehicles registered in the country fell 15%, and between 2017 and 2018 the fall was 11%.
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.
español
6779
