In Puerto Rico, Toyota, Hyundai, Chrysler, Kia, and Nissan lead the best-selling brands until August 2020. ([email protected])
Even in the midst of the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the restrictions imposed by executive orders and the security measures that seek to guarantee physical distancing between people, car dealers managed to close the month of August with sales that exceed last year.
According to the most recent report from the United Group of Automobile Importers (GUIA), an organization that represents the automotive industry in Puerto Rico, the month of August 2020 ended with a total of 8,695 units sold. This figure represents an increase of 5.6% when compared to the sales of that same month during 2019, which by then were 8,236. However, so far this year the industry maintains a reduction of 24.3%.
For August, the van segment, as well as that of SUVs and mini vans, showed slight increases at a rate of 37%, 14% and 11.2%, respectively.
“For the third consecutive month the industry finished above the same month last year. We know that this pattern is due to the accumulated demand that existed for having been closed for two and a half months and for the federal funds that reached the country. For this reason, the Group (United Automobile Importers) now forecasts that new car sales will be around 85 thousand units in 2020. ”, stated Ricardo M. García, president of GUIA, in written statements.
So far this year, Toyota tops the list of best-selling brands, with a total of 14,874 units sold through August; followed by the Korean Hyundai , with 7,352 units. Meanwhile, Chrysler accumulates a total sales of 4,826 units; Kia has sold 4,153 cars, and Japan's Nissan, which launched about 4,113 new vehicles this year.
GUIA is an independent, non-profit organization that was created in 2006 in order to deal with matters that directly affect the automotive industry, as well as matters related to the general economy of Puerto Rico. Like the rest of the country's businesses, they have also been affected by the pandemic, and have had to implement security measures to avoid contagion between customers and employees, limiting the number of people to be attended both for sales and service of mechanics and parts.
