Is it worth buying a car at the Panama Motor Show 2026?

Published on October 1, 2026

In short: buying a car at the Panama Motor Show 2026 suits anyone who arrives with the model decided and the paperwork ready, because more than 40 brands and more than 20 banks compete under one roof and fair conditions are usually the best of the year. It does not suit anyone who needs to test the car or compare calmly: there is almost never a test drive at the venue and closing pressure is high. The fact that changes the decision is that promotions do not end on 11 October: distributors themselves acknowledge they stay in the branches for a few more weeks. The fair is for comparing and getting the offer in writing; signing can wait for the test drive.

What the figures say

Citable fact: the Panamanian market sold close to 60,000 new cars in 2025, 10% more than in 2024, and passed 40,000 units by August 2026; ADAP projects closing the year near 65,000 and runs a fair with more than 40 brands, 150 models and 20 banks.

Indicator	Figure	Source
New cars sold in 2025	60,233, 10% more than in 2024	ADAP
Sales to August 2026	More than 40,000, close to 8% growth	Fernando Tristán, ADAP
Projected 2026 close	Close to 65,000 units	Fernando Tristán, ADAP
Brands and models at the fair	More than 40 brands and more than 150 models	ADAP
Banks and credit institutions	More than 20	ADAP
Previous edition	41 brands and 25 financial entities	ADAP, via MundialCars

Tristán, chair of ADAP’s Fairs Committee, said there are currently interest rates, financing options and terms he considers favourable, and that reduced down payments make buying easier, a scenario that coincides with the fair. That is the organiser’s voice; it should be checked against the fine print of each offer.

In favour of buying at the fair

Competition in one place. Three quotes in the same segment in one afternoon, something that takes days at dealerships.
Banks competing for the loan. With on-site pre-approval, rate, term and down payment can be compared across several lenders.
Distributor incentives. Services, accessories or insurance included that are not always offered the rest of the year.
Premieres. It is where new models are seen first, from the new-generation RAV4 to JETOUR’s plug-in hybrids.

Against, or what to watch

No test drive. Sales staff themselves admit it: testing the car at the venue is very difficult.
Limited colours and versions. What is on display is not always the version of interest; seeing it requires a branch appointment.
The monthly payment hides the total. A longer term lowers the instalment and raises what is paid in the end.
Closing pressure. The “only during the fair” urgency is partly commercial: conditions usually continue for a few weeks.

How to decide in five steps

Arrive with a fixed budget. Down payment, maximum instalment, insurance and maintenance.
Get the offer in writing. Final price, rate, term, down payment and what is included, with validity.
Compare the total cost of credit, not the instalment.
Book the test drive at the dealership before signing.
Check warranty, workshop and parts. For new brands it is the key question; the guide to buying a Chinese car covers it. As a reference, JETOUR, present at the fair, publishes 7 years or 200,000 km.

What nobody has answered yet

How much cheaper is buying at the fair? Neither ADAP nor distributors publish the average discount against list price.
How many October sales close inside the venue? The association speaks of a boost to the month’s sales but does not break the figure down.
What average rate do banks offer at the fair versus at the branch? Each bank announces its own; there is no public comparison.

Frequently asked questions