Sales of new buses in Chile collapsed in 2026. Between January and September, 902 units were sold, 68% fewer than in the same period of 2025, according to the September Automotive Market Report of the National Automotive Association of Chile (ANAC). In September alone, 242 buses were sold, down 65.9% from September last year.
The sharpest fall is in urban transit buses: 327 units in nine months, 75.4% fewer. The comparison is with 2025, the year Santiago's RED system added 1,344 electric buses, the largest annual intake since e-mobility began in public transport in 2017. ANAC does not attribute the drop to a specific cause, but the high comparison base for city buses coincides with that record.
New bus sales by segment
Every bus segment declined in the year to date, according to ANAC. These are the January to September 2026 figures:
| Bus segment | Units January-September 2026 | Change vs. 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Urban transit | 327 | -75.4% |
| Minibus-style city buses (taxibuses) | 236 | -62.2% |
| Double-decker and long distance | 218 | -47.7% |
| Intercity and medium distance | 111 | -37.3% |
| Minibuses | 10 | -96.2% |
| Total buses | 902 | -68.0% |
Using the reported change, the 2025 year-to-date total would have been about 2,800 buses, including about 1,330 urban buses, according to an Energía Futura calculation based on ANAC's percentages. In other words, 2026 sales are about a third of the previous year's.
RED's record year for electric buses in 2025
Last year was exceptional for Santiago's electric fleet. In 2025, RED added 1,344 electric buses, and by year-end the electric fleet reached 3,849 units, 59% of buses in operation, as Emol reported with data from the Metropolitan Public Transport Directorate. In February 2026 the figure reached 4,088 electric buses, 62% of the fleet, according to Reporte Minero.
| RED electric fleet | Electric buses | % of fleet |
|---|---|---|
| End of 2025 | 3,849 | 59% |
| February 2026 | 4,088 | 62% |
| Target for March 2026 | 4,400 | 68% |
| Added in 2025 | 1,344 | Annual record |
Santiago has the largest electric bus fleet in Latin America. Most of those buses come from Chinese manufacturers, the same ones gaining ground in the car market, as we explained in Chinese electric cars in Chile.
New car sales fall 2.8% in September
The light and medium vehicle market also had a weak month. 30,989 new units were sold in September, 2.8% fewer than in September 2025. ANAC attributes it to a high comparison base: in September last year the emissions standard changed from Euro 6b to Euro 6c, and several dealers brought sales forward. Year to date, the market is still up: 237,181 units, 2.3% more.
| Segment (light and medium) | September 2026 | Change | 2026 YTD | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs | 16,849 | +0.6% | 129,576 | +10.1% |
| Pick-ups | 6,391 | +8.0% | 47,652 | +2.0% |
| Passenger cars | 4,886 | -18.6% | 38,669 | -8.3% |
| Commercial vehicles | 2,863 | -10.6% | 21,284 | -15.9% |
| Total | 30,989 | -2.8% | 237,181 | +2.3% |
The report places the figures in a weak economic context: the Imacec activity index fell 1% year on year in August and unemployment reached 9.6% in the June-August quarter, the highest since 2021, according to the Central Bank and the INE statistics office, cited by ANAC.
Trucks: also down
The truck market sold 1,160 units in September, 8.3% fewer, and 8,908 year to date, down 2.6%. Heavy trucks, the most used in mining and freight, fell 14.7% in the month.
Car sales by region
By region, September showed large differences. The biggest year-on-year increases were in the north and in Los Ríos, and the biggest drops in the far south and Biobío, according to ANAC:
| Region | Change in sales, September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Los Ríos | +32.3% |
| Atacama | +31.3% |
| Tarapacá | +30.5% |
| Biobío | -9.3% |
| Aysén | -9.6% |
| Magallanes | -18.4% |
What comes next for new bus sales and e-mobility
For cars, the electric market keeps growing despite the overall slowdown. By August, plug-in vehicles (battery electric and plug-in hybrids) already accounted for 6.2% of light vehicle sales, according to ANAC. The model ranking is in the best-selling electric cars in Chile.
For buses, sales depend mainly on public transport tenders and fleet renewals, which come in waves rather than evenly every year. After the 2025 wave, the 2026 market reflects a year of less renewal. In the regions, electrification of urban fleets is moving more slowly than in Santiago. If you are considering an electric car yourself, prices are in electric car prices in Chile.
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See advertising optionsFrequently asked questions
How many new buses were sold in Chile in 2026?
902 between January and September, 68% fewer than a year earlier, according to ANAC.
Why did new bus sales fall?
ANAC does not give a cause. The comparison is with 2025, when RED added a record 1,344 electric buses, which raises the base for city buses.
How many electric buses does Santiago have?
4,088 in February 2026, 62% of the RED fleet.
How many new cars were sold in September 2026?
30,989 light and medium vehicles, 2.8% fewer than a year earlier.
