The classifieds portal Patiotuerca.com, revealed that over 4.5 million used vehicles were browsed on the platform last year. The top brands were Chevrolet (American), Toyota (Japanese), and Kia and Hyundai (Korean), accounting for more than 40% of searches.

Most Popular Models in 2024

The models that topped searches on Patiotuerca.com included:

• SUVs: Kia Sportage, Toyota Fortuner, and Hyundai Tucson.

• Pickup Trucks: Chevrolet D-Max, Toyota Hilux, and Ford F-150.

SUVs Lead the Market

The study also highlighted that SUVs were the most in-demand vehicle type in 2024, followed by pickup trucks, sedans, and hatchbacks.

The preferences for specific models and vehicle types show a growing interest in versatility and performance among Ecuadorian buyers.

Source: Primicias.

As of January 2025, the state stopped subsidizing Gasoline Extra, whose price now reflects international costs. Diesel is still subsidized in Ecuador.

Causes

• Price Band System: Introduced in June 2024, this system allows fuel prices to fluctuate within set limits based on changes in international oil prices.

  • Prices can increase by up to 5% or decrease by up to 10%.

  • This flexibility aligns local fuel costs with global market trends, gradually reducing the need for subsidies.

• Decline in Oil Prices: The global price of oil dropped from $84.44 per barrel in July 2024 to $74.59 per barrel in January 2025.

  Lower oil prices reduced the gap between the cost of importing gasoline and its retail price in Ecuador.

Savings

In 2024, fuel subsidies cost $208 million, saving $231 million compared to 2023.

Source: El Mercurio. 

New car sales in Ecuador saw a significant drop in 2024, with only 108,266 units sold—an 18.2% decrease compared to 2023, according to the annual report from the Association of Automotive Companies of Ecuador (AEADE).

This marks the second consecutive year of decline. In 2022, 134,170 new vehicles were sold, followed by 132,388 in 2023. By December 2024, only 8,701 new cars were sold, representing a 2.2% decrease compared to December 2020, the year of the pandemic.

While sales rebounded in December 2021 and 2022 with 10,145 and 11,393 units sold, respectively, the numbers dropped again in 2023 to 9,053 and fell further in 2024 to 8,701.

Breakdown of Vehicle Sales

- Light Vehicles: In 2024, sales reached 98,042 units, a 19.5% drop from 121,736 in 2023.

- Heavy Vehicles: Sales also declined slightly, with 10,224 units sold in 2024 compared to 10,652 in 2023—a reduction of 4%.

Hybrid Cars Buck the Trend

Amid the overall decline, hybrid vehicles (those with both electric and combustion engines) performed exceptionally well. Sales surged to 12,726 units in 2024—12 times the amount sold in 2020. Hybrid vehicles were the only segment to grow, with a 21.8% increase in sales compared to the previous year.

Electric Vehicles Struggle

In contrast, the electric vehicle market contracted. In 2024, 1,778 electric cars were sold—a 2.5% decrease compared to the 1,823 units sold in 2023.

Factors Impacting Sales

Genaro Baldeón, executive president of AEADE, attributed the decline in new car sales to several factors, including the uncertainty surrounding the presidential elections, security concerns, and an energy crisis, all of which dampened consumer confidence. “Additionally, there was a contraction in credit,” he added.

While most of the automotive market faced challenges in 2024, hybrid vehicles stood out as a rare bright spot in an otherwise tough year.

Source: El Mercurio.

As part of the recent increase in the Unified Basic Salary (SBU) in Ecuador from $460 to $470, traffic fines have also gone up. Here are the key changes:

• Pico y Placa in Quito: For a first offense, the fine will increase from USD 69 to USD 70.5. For a second violation, it will jump to USD 117.5, which is 25% of the SBU.

• Seatbelt Violation: The fine for not wearing a seatbelt will rise to USD 23.5 starting in January.

• Illegal Parking: Parking in prohibited areas will now cost USD 47, up from USD 46.

• Using a Cell Phone While Driving: The fine for using your phone while driving will increase to USD 47 from USD 46.

• Running a Red Light: The penalty for running a red light will go up to USD 141, instead of USD 138.

Although giving bribes is quite common in Ecuador, it is still illegal for both the person offering the bribe and the one receiving it. This was experienced by a woman who tried to bribe the local traffic police in Cuenca: 

The arrest occurred on Thursday afternoon, September 12, 2024, in the area of Avenida Del Migrante and Panamericana Norte.

According to the police report, the ECU911 requested the presence of police officers in that area to make contact with the traffic officer.

She reported that while conducting an operation, she was issuing a citation to Mr. Julio U. A., the driver of a vehicle.

At that moment, the passenger, Alexandra G. P., proceeded to "offer" money to the officer, attempting to bribe her.

Since it was a flagrant offense, the woman was arrested.

(Source: El Mercurio)

The Cuenca-Azogues-Biblián highway will soon have four new interchanges aimed at alleviating traffic congestion, particularly at peak hours. Three will feature elevated lanes, while the one near the IESS hospital will include both elevated and sunken lanes. The Ministry of Transportation (MTOP) is managing the $105 million project, with funding from a development bank loan. Local authorities and businesses have been briefed, and the first interchange, near the IESS hospital, will begin construction by late 2024, followed by others in key areas.

Source: El Mercurio.

The governments of Ecuador and the Republic of Korea have restarted the development of the new Guayaquil-Cuenca highway, facilitated through the public company Korea Expressway Corporation, as announced by the Public-Private Investment Secretariat.

The secretariat indicated that by the end of 2024, contracts are expected to be signed to conduct studies identifying the best technical solution for a fast route connecting Guayaquil and Cuenca. If construction proceeds, the national government estimates that the new highway will benefit 3.6 million people in both Azuay and Guayas.

What is the Guayaquil-Cuenca Highway?

For many years, Cuenca has sought a reliable, fast highway connecting it to Guayaquil, one that would not suffer from frequent closures due to weather. The capital of Azuay has been advocating for an optimal route to the Ecuadorian coast for over 150 years, though promises and proposals have been repeatedly delayed by successive governments.

The idea of a new route, an alternative to the existing Cuenca-Molleturo-El Empalme road, was revitalized in the 21st century. In March 2023, then-President Guillermo Lasso signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Expressway Corporation to conduct prefeasibility and feasibility studies for the highway. However, the agreement stalled due to the political instability in Ecuador at the time.

Now, under the leadership of President Daniel Noboa, the agreement has been revived. According to the Public-Private Investment Secretariat, the project is expected to progress this year.

During a press conference, Cuenca's Mayor Cristian Zamora invited various professionals, associations, and consortiums to present projects for the construction of the new North Bypass (Circunvalación Norte).

The Circunvalación Norte is a proposed 40 km long northern and western bypass around Cuenca, designed to alleviate congestion, reduce travel times, and connect new areas to the city. The bypass will stretch from the Guangarcucho sector east of Cuenca to Victoria del Portete south of Cuenca. Refer to the image below for the projected route of the road.

The Municipality of Cuenca has conducted studies on the bypass dating back to 2005-2009 and 2014. Mayor Zamora has asked interested parties to specify whether the project should be executed through a public or private partnership, or through a consortium.

Source: El Nuevo Tiempo.

Since July 2024, it's not allowed to ride with two people on motorcycles in the Quito Metropolitan Area. When you fail to comply with this rule you can receive a fine that is 15% of the unified basic salary. 

The  exceptions to this rule are: 

• Spouse or common-law partner of the driver, registered in the Civil Registry.

• Children or siblings of the driver.

• People with disabilities.

• Older adults (65+).

• Women.

• Children under 12 years of age.

• Public servants who, in the performance of their duties, ride institutional motorcycles.

Newspaper Primicias has published an article with seven tips from the National Police in case of assaults on expressways and highways.

Recent assaults were reported on the road between Cuenca and Loja, along the route between Cuenca and Guayaquil via Cañar, the Ruta Viva between Quito and Tumbaco, and near Anconcito in the Salinas region.

During these assaults, criminals attempt to rob or kidnap drivers and passengers. These assaults usually occur at night or in the early morning when there is less traffic.

The seven tips from the National Police

1. Be alert for vehicles circulating around you.

2. Do not stop on the road.

3. If you experience a puncture in your car's tires, call ECU 911 and move to the safest place nearby.

4. Avoid driving alone and in the early morning hours.

5. Send your location in real-time to friends and family so they are aware of your journey.

6. If a car cuts you off, try to evade it, do not brake, and call ECU 911.

7. Put nitrogen in the tires of your vehicle.

ANT Ecuador (Ecuador's national traffic authority) has a new website: https://ant.com.ec/.

In the header is a menu with a link ('Simulador') to the exam questions: https://ant.com.ec/licencias/simulador.

Ecuavisa reports that a gallon of Super Premium 95 has been costing USD 4.21 since May 12. This gasoline has increased 65 cents in price so far in 2024. This last increase by 11 cents is based on oil prices.

In Ecuador, the price of Super Premium 95 must be set based on the prices of oil and its derivatives in the international market.

Prices of other fuels as of May 12, 2024

Extra and Ecopaís gasoline: USD 2.46 per gallon.
Diesel: USD 1.80 per gallon.