China-Made Vehicles Reach 57% Of Ecuador Auto Sales In H1 2026
Vehicles assembled in China represented 57% of Ecuador's auto sales in the first half of 2026, according to Cinae.
Of 78,136 vehicles sold in Ecuador during the period, nearly six in ten came from factories in China.
Trade Agreement Effect
The China-Ecuador trade agreement took effect in May 2024. Before it entered into force, China-origin vehicles represented 37% of sales between January and April 2024.
In 2026, Ecuador is selling more than 7,000 China-origin vehicles per month. In June 2026, sales reached 8,363 units, the highest monthly level on record.
Tariff Path
The agreement gradually reduces import tariffs on vehicles from previous rates of 35% to 40% toward 0%.
| Segment | Current tariff | 2027 tariff |
|---|---|---|
| Most light Chinese vehicles up to 1,500 cc | 32% | 29.3% |
| Larger SUV models up to 3,000 cc | 34% | 32% |
Electrification Link
Electric-vehicle sales rose from 614 units in H1 2024 to 5,457 units in H1 2026.
Of 5,493 electric vehicles sold in H1 2026, 95% were made in China. Of 14,086 hybrids sold during the same period, 52% came from China.
What To Watch
Watch tariff-stepdowns, hybrid demand after fuel-subsidy reductions, Chinese brand consolidation, and local assembly share as imported models become more price-competitive.
Source
Primicias — "Casi el 60% de los carros que se venden en Ecuador vienen de fábricas de China, a dos años del acuerdo de libre comercio"
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