Car sales in Puerto Rico fell 17% during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, according to the latest report from the Grupo Unido de Importadores de Automóviles (GUIA), the trade group representing the island's auto industry. From January to June 2026, 48,464 vehicles were sold, down from 58,284 units in the same period of 2025. Rosángela Guerra, GUIA president and managing director of Ford Puerto Rico, Central America and the Caribbean, attributed the decline to persistent inflation, geopolitical conflicts, and the current excise tax (arbitrios) system, which she said continue to weaken consumer purchasing power.
She projected total 2026 sales of roughly 107,000 units, a 3% decrease from the 111,000 sold in 2025, but said the industry is not overly concerned, describing it as a long stabilization process rather than a market downturn. June showed slight improvement, with 8,738 units sold versus 8,528 in June 2025, a 2.46% increase. Medium and full premium sedans rose 94.12%, and crossover sedans/sub-compacts rose 18.65%, while mini compacts fell 77.50% year-over-year.
Guerra noted that tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump last year caused market chaos and an unusual surge in demand, and that the sector is now moving toward a more stable future.