57,819 vehicles sold through the first five months of this year — from January to May — set a new sales record, with year-on-year growth of 9.4%. And, although American and Asian brands are still the leaders in this industry, European ones also have their own market, and some brands appear among the best sellers.

According to the figures of the Association of Automobile Companies of Ecuador (Aeade), among the 5 best-selling models, in five of the six segments of vehicles sold in the country — SUV, car, van, truck, van and bus — there are no European vehicles appearing. Only the German Mercedes Benz is in second place in the bus segment with 70 units sold. Other categories are led by other brands, such as Chevrolet and Ford (USA), Japanese Suzuki, Hino and Toyota; South Koreans Kia and Hyundai; and the Chinese Shineray, Jetour, JAC, Great Wall, JMC, Sinotruck, among others.

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Only two European brands appear in the top 20 best sellers. The first is the French Renault, in sixth place, with 2,337 vehicles sold; and six places behind (12) is the German brand Volkswagen with 1,440 units sold. However, the two European brands assemble some of their models in the region, including Ecuador, as in the case of Volkswagen’s Amarok truck, which is assembled in the country. The German brand also assembles other models in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.

Renault, for its part, assembles its vehicles in Colombia and Argentina.

According to the Chamber of the Ecuadorian Automobile Industry (Cinae), the Renault Duster is among the 20 best-selling models, in 15th place to be exact, with 663 units sold from January to May, a vehicle of Colombian origin that is assembled in those countries, like the Stepway model of the French brand that is sold 529 vehicles in Ecuador.

In total, 2,943 vehicles imported from Colombia were sold in Ecuador during that period, which represents a drop of 46.60 percent compared to the vehicles sold from January to May last year that arrived from the northern neighbor.

For its part, last May the Volkswagen T-Cross Trendline model ranked 19th in sales in Ecuador, with 112 units imported from Brazil, the country where they were assembled. In the past five months, 5,937 vehicles from that country were sold in Ecuador, 22.97% more than in the same period in 2022. Among others, Volkswagen, Fiat, and BMW vehicles are produced in Brazil.

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In that period, 1,619 vehicles of Mexican origin were sold, 10.97% more than in the first five months of 2022. Several European brands, such as Audi, BMW and Volkswagen, are assembled in the Aztec country. Although of Argentine origin, 1,216 vehicles were sold in Ecuador, 52.38% more than last year. Brands such as Fiat, Peugeot, Renault, Volkswagen, Scania, Mercedes Benz and Iveco are produced in that country.

However, in these countries there are also factories that assemble non-European brands, such as Chevrolet, Kia, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, among others, which also reach Ecuador.

However, the fact that most brands from the Old Continent assemble or produce their cars in the region does not mean that only these examples are sold in Ecuador. According to Cinae data, 3,949 vehicles from the European Union were sold from January to May last year, or 35 percent more than those sold in the same period in 2022.

Vehicle imports also recorded growth during the first five months of this year. According to Aeada data, 4,786 vehicles were imported from the European Union in that period, 1,317 vehicles more than in 2022.

In terms of market share, Aeada’s data shows those from the last month recorded, which was last May. In light vehicles — cars, trucks and SUVs — Renault held a 4.46% share of sales, with 437 units sold; while Volkswagen has a 3.13% share, with 307 units sold.

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Then there are other European brands, such as the French Peugeot, with 107 units sold, which represents a 1.09% share. British MG (Morris Garages) with 44 vehicles sold (0.45% share). German Mercedes Benz, with 41 vehicles sold (0.42% share); Audi, 34 units sold (0.35% share). French Citroen (31 vehicles sold and 0.32% share). Italian brand Fiat (31 vehicles sold and 0.32% share). Škoda, a brand from the Czech Republic, with 24 units sold (0.24% share). Opel also appears from Germany, with 20 units sold and 0.2% of the pie; and BMW, with 18 vehicles sold and a 0.18% share

Sale of European brands in Ecuador in May 2023

While in commercial vehicles — vans, buses and trucks — Mercedes Benz has a 2.17% share, with 31 units sold; Opel with 8 vehicles sold has 0.56%; the Swedish brand Scania with 6 units sold and a 0.52% share; Peugeot, with a 0.35% share and 5 units sold; and finally, the Italian brand Iveco, with only 23 units sold and a 0.21% market share.