Best-selling car brands in Panama in 2025
| # | Brand | Units 2025 | Share | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota | 11,507 | 19.1% | +2.8% |
| 2 | Kia | 7,626 | 12.7% | +2.3% |
| 3 | Hyundai | 6,985 | 11.6% | -0.9% |
| 4 | Geely | 3,138 | 5.2% | +33.8% |
| 5 | Suzuki | 3,094 | 5.1% | +16.4% |
| … | JETOUR | 1,999 | 3.3% | +58.1% |
| … | Forthing | 1,229 | 2.0% | +69.1% |
| … | Kaiyi | 1,066 | 1.8% | +260.1% |
| … | Chery | 973 | 1.6% | +91.2% |
New cars registered in 2025 according to ADAP, published by Octanos Media. The top three brands took 43.4% of the market. Shares calculated on 60,233 units.
How 2026 is going
In the first half of 2026 the market grew 10.6%, with March the strongest month (6,473 units). Toyota keeps the lead with 5,633 units and an 18% share; Hyundai moved into second with 3,849 and Kia was third with 3,669. Suzuki and Geely complete the top five, almost level. Between January and May, according to the ADAP report published by La Prensa, Geely was fifth, JETOUR sixth and Changan seventh in the overall market.
| # | Brand | Units, first half 2026 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota | 5,633 | 18.0% share |
| 2 | Hyundai | 3,849 | Overtakes Kia |
| 3 | Kia | 3,669 | |
| 4 | Suzuki | 1,541 | |
| 5 | Geely | 1,532 | Top Chinese brand; fourth nationally by July |
| 6 | JETOUR | 1,151 (Jan–May) | +45% in the half; second Chinese brand |
| 7 | Changan | 1,034 (Jan–May) | +44%; top Chinese brand in May |
First half according to Octanos Media (ADAP data); positions 6 and 7 and January–May units according to La Prensa (ADAP data).
Best-selling models
- 2025: Toyota Hilux (3,177 units), Kia Soluto (2,763), Toyota Yaris Cross (2,284) and Hyundai i10 Sedan (2,209).
- First half of 2026: the Hilux still leads pickups with 1,403 units, followed by Isuzu D-Max (566) and Mitsubishi L200 (511). Among compact SUVs the Yaris Cross leads (1,231), with Hyundai Creta (675) and Geely Coolray (482) behind.
- February 2026: the JETOUR X70 Plus entered the country’s top 10 models for the first time, according to Best Selling Cars Blog.
What explains JETOUR’s rise
JETOUR arrived in Panama in 2023 through Petromotors, its official distributor, which also brings the SOUEAST brand. In 2024 it sold 1,264 units, already the third Chinese brand; in 2025 it jumped to 1,999 with 58% growth; and in 2026 it is holding a 45% pace. It is an SUV brand in a market where more than half of new cars are SUVs, with a 7-year or 200,000-kilometre warranty and branches in Panama City and David. Behind it is Chery, the Chinese group that has been its country’s top car exporter for 23 consecutive years.
What comes next: the Panama Motor Show
ADAP’s fair runs from October 2 to 11 at the Panama Convention Center in Amador, with more than 40 brands. It is where the market usually closes its best stretch of the year. Radar Panamá published a guide to the event.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best-selling car brand in Panama?
Toyota, with 11,507 units in 2025 (19.1% of the market) and 5,633 in the first half of 2026, according to ADAP.
Which are the best-selling brands in Panama?
In 2025: Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, Geely and Suzuki. In the first half of 2026: Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Suzuki and Geely, with JETOUR sixth and Changan seventh between January and May.
How many new cars are sold in Panama a year?
60,233 in 2025, 10.8% more than in 2024. ADAP projects 2026 could approach 70,000 units.
Where does JETOUR rank in Panama?
Sixth brand in the market between January and May 2026 and second Chinese brand, with 45% growth in the first half, according to ADAP.
Related articles
- Almost one in three new cars in Panama is Chinese
- Radar AI: which SUV artificial intelligence recommends in Panama
- Guide to buying a Chinese car in Panama
Sources
- Octanos Media, Panama closes 2025 with 60,233 new cars (ADAP data).
- Octanos Media, first-half 2026 sales (ADAP data).
- La Prensa, Chinese cars gain ground (ADAP data).
- Octanos Media, ADAP projects close to 70,000 units in 2026.
- Best Selling Cars Blog, Panama February 2026.
- Deagencia, 2024 sales in Panama.
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