Ecuador's Motorcycle Market Experiences Significant Growth, Driven by Utility and Local Assembly

Between January and August 2026, new motorcycle sales in Ecuador reached 211,479 units nationally, marking a 20.2% increase compared to 175,934 units sold during the same period in the previous year. This follows a 25.4% year-on-year growth recorded at the end of 2025, when the national market totaled 275,011 units, according to the Association of Automotive Companies of Ecuador (Aeade).

Genaro Baldeón, executive president of Aeade, indicates that motorcycles have transitioned from secondary vehicles to everyday tools, facilitating agile movement in urban environments, offering accessible investment, and serving as a means of work. Reports from IGM Motos, the third best-selling motorcycle brand in Ecuador, highlight fuel efficiency, low maintenance costs, financing offers, and high demand in home delivery and agricultural services as key factors sustaining this sales acceleration. Market analyses in the Costa region by IGM Motos show that approximately 20% of motorcycles acquired for family use are purchased by women, primarily for work commutes and household activities.

The distribution of sales shows a concentration in provinces with higher urban density. Guayas province leads the national market, capturing 28.1% of units sold between January and August 2026, totaling 59,481 motorcycles. Pichincha follows with 11.7% (24,814 units), Los Ríos with 9.8% (20,812 units), and Manabí with 9.6% (20,260 units).

As of August 2026, Aeade statistics position Shineray as the top-selling brand with 36,847 units, followed by Daytona (29,139 units), IGM (17,144 units), Tuko (16,023 units), and Thunder (11,516 units).

Official import statistics through August 2026 indicate that 68% of motorcycles sold in Ecuador are locally assembled from imported parts in CKD (Completely Knocked Down) format. Of the 215,549 units registered in the import breakdown from January to August, 145,946 entered as disassembled parts for assembly in Ecuador. Sebastián Vega, general manager of IGM Motos, states their motorcycles are imported from China in CKD format, with 18% of local parts integrated at their Ecuadorian plant. Local assemblers also register their own Ecuadorian brands, such as Tuko or Thunder.

Ecuador's market growth aligns with a broader regional trend. According to the MotoLatam Regional Motorcycle Market Bulletin, Latin American sales grew 21.7% between January and July 2026, reaching 2,153,364 units. Ecuador ranks as the fourth largest volume in the two-wheel motorcycle segment in the region, with 179,018 units sold between January and July 2026, an 18.9% increase. The country leads regionally in the three-wheel and four-wheel motorcycle segments, with 2,574 and 1,967 units sold respectively in the first seven months of 2026, showing significant growth rates.

What to watch

Continued growth in motorcycle sales is anticipated through the end of 2026. The potential for local assemblers to shift towards importing Complete Built Units (CBU) if tariff costs for CKD and CBU units equalize could impact local manufacturing. IGM Motos plans to incorporate electric models and cargo tricycles, which could diversify the market and cater to emerging needs in the agricultural sector.

Sources: eluniverso.com.