Colombia Automotive Industry Outlook 2011

The Republic of Colombia is the fifth largest economy in Latin America with the third largest population of approximately 45 million inhabitants. It is the only country in South America with two sea coasts providing tactical shipping advantages in today’s global market. Transition from a highly regulated economy has been underway for more than 15 years. Aided by major security improvements, steady economic growth and moderate inflation, Colombia has become a free market economy with major commercial and investment ties to North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

The automotive sector is the fourth most important industry in Colombia and represented about 8% of all imports. After a significant drop of 49 percent in 2009, the outlook for the automotive parts sector is excellent once again due to a positive trend in vehicle sales. During 2010 vehicles sales increased approximately by 30 percent in comparison to year 2009. Industry observers project that 2011 will be the second best year of sales after 2007.

Colombia is a market with a high demand for automotive parts. An estimated 3.7 million vehicles are currently operating in Colombia, of which approximately 2.9 million were produced by the three local assemblers: GM-Colmotores, CCA-Mazda, and Sofasa-Renault. Colombia averages one vehicle per 15 inhabitants, based on its population of 45 million. As result of the Venezuelan automotive industry recession, Colombia has become the third largest automobile assembler in Latin America after Brazil and Mexico. The average age of motor vehicles in circulation is about 15 years, making Colombia an excellent market for spare parts for older cars. Another key factor driving demand is the frequent need to replace broken parts due to Colombia’s poor road infrastructure.

In 2009, the auto parts and accessories market reached about USD 500 million representing almost a ten percent decline compared to 2008. In 2010, the market increased approximately by 25 percent to about USD 630 million. The U.S., Brazil, Japan and China have the highest market shares. The U.S. and Brazil compete with quality and state-of-the-art products, while the Asian countries have obtained larger market share pursuing a low price strategy and offering correspondingly low quality. U.S. imports dominate the market with a 27 percent market share, followed by China with a 7 percent market share. China is becoming a serious competitor in the automotive parts market competing mainly on price. When the U.S. - Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CTPA) is approved by the United States Congress, this will result in a measurable increase in U.S. exports of automotive parts and accessories to the country. Existing tariffs range from five to thirty percent. When the treaty is implemented, Colombia will eliminate its prohibition of remanufactured automotive goods, as defined in Chapter Four – Rules of Origin; and most tariffs will be eliminated within 10 years. When the FTA with U.S. is implemented, Colombia will eliminate tariffs on priority automotive products, including large-engine, 4x4 vehicles, engines, brakes, shock absorbers, and other auto parts will be phased out immediately upon implementation of the agreement.

Despite a challenging economic environment since 2008, the local automobile market keeps offering excellent discount prices and financing for the purchase of new vehicles with approximately over 45 brands and 250 models available. The industry is also making a real effort to advertise and promote new models and products, seeking gains in new market shares. Although Chevrolet, Renault and Hyundai remain the top performers, auto dealership owners are seeing changes in the Colombian market. More women and younger university-educated professional buyers are looking for brands, technology, design and security. Volkswagen has performed best during this economic downturn, growing by 10% with the Jetta Jalona model. The U.S. is the main source of imports for vehicles and auto parts but Colombia is looking at China and Japan for lighter, more fuel-efficient and computerized trucks and working equipment.

Local production of automotive parts and accessories grew by ten percent in the last three years. Therefore, local manufacturers foresee good opportunities in the near future as a result of the good performance of the automotive sector and the opportunities opened by new agreements signed by Colombia. Since 1990, local automotive parts industrialists have made large investments in capital equipment and remodeling of their plants, although, some medium and small companies were not able to adjust to the innovation process and closed operations. Other industries initiated joint ventures with local and international companies to manufacture products for the three local auto assemblers, the aftermarket and for exports to those countries that Colombia has subscribed trade agreements.

According to the Colombian Statistics Department (DANE) there are approximately 150 local manufacturers. Products include suspension parts, brake systems, bodies for buses, trucks and mini buses, chassis, security glass, pumps, electric wires, starters, batteries, shock absorbers, clutches, wheel rims, gasoline engines, among others.

Until the 2009 trade restrictions, Ecuador and Venezuela were the top export destinations for the great majority of Colombia’s automotive parts and accessories. The U.S., Chile, Brazil, Panama, and Peru are also important buyers. Contraband and money laundering in the sector are significant threats and continue to affect the automotive sector. Although, contraband has decreased, local importers estimate that the black market retailers of automotive parts were about U.S. $ 2 million.

The Colombian end-users of automotive parts and accessories are numerous, varied, and difficult to quantify because of the many brands traditionally found in the local market and the number of motor vehicles imported. Approximately 45 brands and some 250 models are found in the market. About eighty-three percent of total Colombian vehicles are for private use, fifteen percent are in public service and three percent are for official use. Buses are the main form of intercity and inter-state transportation. Cargo transport by road is very active due to the chronically deficient railroad system. Statistics from the Ministry of Transportation indicate that nearly 90 percent of Colombian cargo moving between seaports and the main cities is transported by truck. The long distances and poor roads mean high operational costs, which translate into constant demand for truck parts and accessories. Most of the larger passenger and freight transportation companies maintain good repair facilities for their own vehicles and are strong prospective customers.

INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT, GLOBAL BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLC ®, 2011. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, LUIS MULET, INTERNATIONAL TRADE SPECIALIST, 2011. ARTICLE WROTE TO BE PUBLISHED AT TS MAGAZINE, MAY 2011.