The figures
| Indicator | Jan–Jul 2025 | Jan–Jul 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| New cars sold in Panama | 33,243 | 36,452 (+9.7%) |
| Chinese brands’ share | 24.5% | 29.9% |
| Chinese-brand units | — | 10,894 (+33.7%) |
| Growth of the rest of the market | — | +1.8% |
| Chinese contribution to total growth | — | 2,748 of 3,209 additional units (86%) |
ADAP data published by Infobae on September 14, 2026. Between January and May, the 20 Chinese brands in ADAP’s ranking sold 7,867 vehicles, 29.5% of the total, according to La Prensa.
Who leads
- Geely is the top Chinese brand and fourth in the country, with 1,820 units between January and July.
- JETOUR is the second Chinese brand and sixth in the market between January and May, with 45% growth in the first half. Its X70 Plus entered the top 10 models in February.
- Changan is the third Chinese brand and seventh in the market, and was the top-selling Chinese brand in May.
- Behind them come Forthing, Kaiyi, Chery, GAC, Dongfeng, BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda and SOUEAST, among others. In 2025, Kaiyi grew 260% and Chery 91%.
Why they grow
Price and equipment
Chinese models usually offer more equipment for the same outlay: large screens, 360-degree cameras and driver assistance on entry versions.
SUVs, the segment that rules
More than half of new cars in Panama are SUVs, and Chinese brands arrived with almost entirely SUV line-ups.
Long warranties
Five- to seven-year coverage has become the sales argument to offset the brands’ short history. JETOUR offers 7 years or 200,000 km.
Global scale
China is the world’s largest car exporter; Chery, JETOUR’s parent, has been China’s top exporter for 23 consecutive years.
The other side: complaints
According to ADAP and consumer authority Acodeco statistics cited by Infobae, the market average is 5.4 complaints per 1,000 new cars sold, and some Chinese brands exceed that average while some established brands sit below it. The vast majority of claims are explained by warranty non-compliance, not necessarily by lower vehicle quality. The lesson for buyers is the same with any young brand: the written warranty, the workshop network and parts supply weigh as much as the price.
What to check before buying
- Ask for the warranty policy in writing, with exclusions and required services.
- Locate the nearest authorised workshop and ask about delivery times for common parts.
- Check whether the warranty transfers to the next owner, which affects resale.
- Compare the price of the first three services, not just the car.
Frequently asked questions
What share of new cars in Panama are Chinese?
29.9% between January and July 2026, up from 24.5% in the same period of 2025, according to ADAP.
Which are the best-selling Chinese car brands in Panama?
Geely, JETOUR and Changan, in that order, according to ADAP’s January–May 2026 report. Geely is the country’s fourth brand and JETOUR the sixth.
Are Chinese cars reliable in Panama?
They pass the same tests as the rest and some brands carry warranties of up to seven years. Complaints filed with Acodeco are mostly explained by warranty non-compliance, so the distributor’s after-sales network is the factor most worth checking.
Related articles
- Best-selling car brands in Panama: the ADAP ranking
- Guide to buying a Chinese car in Panama
- What JETOUR is and why it wins awards on four continents
Sources
- Infobae, Chinese-made cars take over Panama’s streets (ADAP and Acodeco data).
- La Prensa, Chinese cars account for 29.5% of sales in five months (ADAP data).
- Octanos Media, 2025 close (ADAP data).
- CarNewsChina, Chery, 23 years as top exporter.
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