Vehicle sales in Puerto Rico fell 11.8% in the first ten months of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, the United Group of Automobile Importers (GUIA), which represents the island’s automotive industry, reported on Wednesday, November 11. GUIA president Rosángela Guerra said in a statement that 79,532 vehicles were sold from January to October, against 90,181 in the same period of 2025, a reduction of 11.81%.
Of the total sold in the first ten months of this year, 7,783 were sold in September, a difference of 3.26% from the 8,045 sold in the same month of 2025, Guerra added. She said October’s results lead GUIA to estimate the industry will close 2026 below the 100,500-unit scenario it set in July, which would be the lowest sales level since 2020, the year the pandemic began.
Guerra cited persistent inflation, high interest rates, higher vehicle prices tied to tariffs, the burden of local excise taxes and uncertainty from geopolitical conflicts. In October, mini compact and premium mini compact segments fell 92.1% year over year, while sport and sport sedan cars rose 25%. The full electrified segment (hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric) grew 51% in the ten months, with hybrids leading at 65%.
Guerra said GUIA continues working on alternatives to cushion the impact on Puerto Rican consumers and support an sector that sustains more than 36,000 jobs. GUIA is an independent, nonprofit organization created in 2006.