The Colombian automotive market is going through one of its best periods of the past decade. Between January and August 2026, 213,377 new vehicles were registered, an increase of 42.1% compared with the same period last year, according to a report by business associations Andi and Fenalco. The pace of growth has led the industry to project a historic year-end.

Forecasts indicate that Colombia could end the year with around 330,000 units sold, a figure that would surpass the 327,000 recorded in 2014, which has so far been the best sales year for the country’s automotive industry. The rebound is also accompanied by a transformation in buyers’ preferences, with hybrid and electric vehicles gaining ground rapidly.

Kia remains the leading brand in the Colombian market and is, at the same time, one of the companies taking the greatest advantage of the strong rebound in demand. The company accumulated 28,077 registered vehicles between January and August, a 43.1% increase compared with the same period in 2025.

Jorge Neira, general manager of Kia Colombia, told the financial newspaper La Republica that 2026 could become “the best period for Colombia’s industry” and estimated that the company could end the year with around 47,000 units, equivalent to a market share of up to 15%.

Kia’s strategy is also linked to the technological transformation underway in the sector. The brand is preparing to launch two new hybrid SUVs during the second half of the year and plans to expand its charging infrastructure. The company expects to have around 92 company-owned locations, some of them associated with EV charging stations, by the end of this year and into 2027, with an investment of US$1.5 million.

Renault ranks second in the market with 21,266 vehicles registered through August, while Toyota has 18,946 units. In terms of growth, Renault was up 8.7% compared with the same period in 2025, while Toyota increased its sales by 11.2%.

Chevrolet ranks fourth, with 15,782 new vehicles registered, compared with 12,578 units the previous year. The result represents growth of 25.5% and confirms the recovery of one of the brands with the longest-standing presence in Colombia.

Mazda rounds out the top five with 15,281 units and growth of 13.2%. Together, Kia, Renault, Toyota, Chevrolet, and Mazda account for 46.6% of all vehicles registered in Colombia during the first eight months of 2026.

They are followed by Tesla, with 14,107 units; Suzuki, with 11,695; Nissan, with 9,402; Hyundai, with 9,139; Volkswagen, with 8,377; and BYD, with 8,127. Ford reached 6,019 vehicles, while Foton reached 5,288. Chery, Dongfeng, JAC, MG, Mercedes-Benz, Citroën, and BMW round out the market’s leading registrations.

The growth in sales is not limited to combustion-powered vehicles. Between January and August, 33,889 electric vehicles were registered, a jump of 222.5% compared with the same period in 2025. Hybrids are also continuing to expand significantly, with 63,210 units and growth of 61%.

The shift is reflected in the best-selling models. The Tesla Model Y leads the market by model, with 12,161 units, followed by the Renault Duster, with 7,628, and the Kia K3, with 6,804. The Kia Picanto accumulated 6,254 units, while the Mazda CX-30 reached 6,043.

Purchasing an electric or hybrid vehicle in Colombia today offers economic, tax, and mobility benefits. Electric vehicles come with a 10% discount on SOAT — the mandatory accident insurance — and a 30% discount on the mandatory technical and mechanical inspection, and they are exempt from circulation restrictions during Car-Free Day.

In addition, they are subject to a 5% VAT rate — instead of 19% of regular sales — and receive tariff benefits. Hybrid vehicles also qualify for tax incentives and, in Bogota, are exempt from circulation restrictions—known in the country as “Pico y Placa,” which prohibits driving on alternate days in order to reduce traffic. These benefits are complemented by lower operating costs, particularly for maintenance and energy consumption, as well as reduced pollutant emissions compared with conventional vehicles.

For the industry, sales performance reflects a combination of greater consumer confidence, a recovery in consumption, and a rapid transition toward new technologies.

If the trend continues during the final four months of the year, Colombia will not only recover pre-pandemic levels but could also set a new all-time high for vehicle sales in 2026, despite global economic turbulence and the high interest rates recorded this year.