In the first half of 2025, Colombia's new car market continued its robust growth trajectory, recording a year-on-year increase of 23.2% to reach 105,033 units sold.

Amidst the overall market expansion, the rise of Chinese brands stood out notably. Companies like BYD, Great Wall, Chery, and MG surged ahead, altering the traditional competitive landscape dominated by Japanese, Korean, European, and American brands. The Toyota Corolla Cross maintained its sales momentum, retaining the title of best-selling model, while Renault reclaimed the top spot among brands.

The expansion of Chinese brands in the Colombian market is evident not only in terms of quantitative growth but also in the gradual acceptance of their electrified products by local consumers.

01 Overview of Colombia's Auto Market in H1 2025

In the first half of 2025, Colombia's new car sales amounted to 105,033 units, marking a 23.2% increase year-on-year. In June alone, sales surged 23.5% year-on-year to 18,000 units. This growth was fueled by factors such as a low base in 2024, market recovery, and improved supply chain efficiency.

From a brand perspective:

◎ Renault reclaimed the top spot with a market share of 13.5% (14,157 units), up 35.9% year-on-year.

◎ Kia ranked second with a share of 13.2% (13,835 units), displaying robust growth.

◎ Despite having the best-selling model, Toyota's sales declined 9% year-on-year in the first half, placing it third with 11,742 units.

◎ Chevrolet (8,802 units, -5.6%) and Nissan (5,919 units, +15.0%) occupied the fourth and fifth positions, respectively.

◎ Mazda sold 9,363 units, slightly down from the previous year but maintaining stable growth at 23.1%.

◎ Hyundai recorded a significant increase of 126.6%, with sales reaching 4,918 units, ranking eighth.

◎ Suzuki experienced a decline due to aging model lines and intensified market competition.

◎ Several emerging brands entered the market or achieved explosive growth. Notably, Chinese brands such as BYD (+353.9%), Great Wall Motor (+1966.7%), Chery (+4141.7%), MG (+159.3%), and Foton (+51.2%) made substantial progress in sales and brand penetration.

In terms of models:

◎ The Toyota Corolla Cross emerged as the best-selling model with 4,174 units (+15.5%). The Renault Duster (3,609 units) and Kia K3 (4,143 units) closely followed, creating a tight competition among the top three.

◎ The Chevrolet Onix surged to fourth place with a growth rate of 51.8%.

◎ The Kia Picanto, despite a slight decline, still ranked fifth with 2,564 units.

◎ Among new models, the Renault Kardian, BYD Yuan Up, and Hyundai Kona performed impressively, indicating a growing acceptance of new technologies and designs in the market.

Regarding powertrains, the Colombian market remains dominated by traditional fuel vehicles, but the adoption of electric vehicles is gradually increasing. BYD, Hyundai, and MG, which focus on electric or hybrid products, have seen significant improvements in market acceptance. Additionally, low-carbon policies and rising fuel costs are further driving the expansion of the new energy vehicle market.

02 Rapid Ascent of Chinese Brands in the Colombian Market

In the first half of 2025, Chinese brands made a significant impact on Colombia's auto market.

◎ BYD ranked tenth among the top brands with sales of 3,994 units, a year-on-year increase of 353.9%. Its product portfolio includes pure electric and plug-in hybrid models tailored for urban families, with the Yuan Up and Seagull models proving particularly popular.

The Yuan Up entered the top ten with 2,198 units, and the Seagull ranked 28th on the sales chart with 1,169 units, signifying BYD's penetration into the mainstream consumer segment.

◎ Great Wall Motor achieved a remarkable cumulative growth of 1966.7% in the first six months, making significant breakthroughs in the pickup truck and SUV segments.

◎ Chery sold 509 units in half a year, marking a year-on-year increase of 4141.7%, demonstrating its growing adaptability of SUVs and compact sedans to the local market.

◎ MG also made rapid strides, with sales of 765 units in half a year and a growth rate of 159.3%. Its flagship ZS SUV entered the top 50 in sales, reflecting its competitive edge in design and cost-effectiveness.

◎ Furthermore, Foton Motor showed strong momentum, with its commercial vehicles and minicars becoming preferred choices for logistics and small to micro-enterprise users.

In the realm of new energy vehicles, Chinese brands undeniably lead the way.

◎ Multiple BYD new energy vehicles featured in the top sales list, with the Yuan Up and Seagull making significant breakthroughs.

◎ Although Kia has introduced new energy models like the EV5, it still faces stiff competition from Chinese brands in the pure electric segment.

◎ Brands such as JAC, JMC, and Dongfeng are also steadily advancing their presence in the Colombian market. Although their sales volumes are still relatively small, multiple models have made it onto the monthly sales charts, indicating their potential for future growth.

Local consumers prefer compact SUVs, small sedans, and multi-purpose urban vehicles. Chinese brands have advantages in these segments, including high product concentration, fast update cycles, and low price sensitivity, which offer them opportunities for market breakthroughs.

From a sales channel perspective, Chinese brands are actively expanding their local agency and cooperation networks in Colombia, enhancing after-sales service capabilities, and further strengthening their market competitiveness. BYD, for instance, has established a comprehensive sales and service system in multiple major cities, leading to increased user loyalty.

Summary

In Colombia's automotive market, while traditional powerhouses like Renault, Toyota, and Kia maintained stable performances, Chinese brands rapidly emerged as significant players with their new energy products, cost-effectiveness, and ability to swiftly respond to local demands. Notably, BYD not only achieved substantial sales breakthroughs but also made considerable progress in brand recognition and user reputation.