The number of vehicles rented by car companies in the Canary Islands is plummeting and this could be an indicator of the reduction in spending by tourists in the south of Gran Canaria or who are opting for collective vehicles. The president of Faconauto, Manuel Sánchez, points out that the figures for the month of August speak for themselves. The segment of passenger cars and SUVs fell by almost 40%. All channels are plummeting, with sharp falls in companies and rent-a-car. The sector is calling for support: "4 years and two governments have passed and we are still waiting for an incentive plan for the purchase and renewal of the fleet of vehicles on the islands."
In any case, spending is down. In the other markets, the stock and transport problems of last year have been resolved, and August has seen positive sales figures. Commercial vehicles have grown by 9,24% with 721 registrations. Buses and industrial vehicles have grown by 19,3% with 99 units, and the two-wheeled market has grown by almost 10% with 1.267 registrations.
August left worrying figures for the vehicle market in the Canary Islands. Although it is true that the summer season is traditionally a period of few registrations in the RAC channel and of companies, which have already supplied their fleets in previous months, the employers' association sends a message of alarm to the Government of the Canary Islands, for the implementation of a plan of aid to the automotive sector in the islands.
The private channel suffered the smallest fall, 3,12% with 1.739 registered units. Registrations by rental car companies fell by 75,29% with 315 units. And the company channel also fell by 54% with 515 vehicles registered during the month of August.
For the president of the Canarian association of dealers, “despite the drop in interest rates, companies continue to have difficulties in accessing credit. It is necessary to propose measures that not only help us to meet Europe's climate objectives, but also boost the automotive sector in our region, as other autonomous communities in our country have already done. We have drawn up an incentive plan and we are still waiting for its evaluation and implementation by the Canarian Executive”.
