Binoculars at the border with North Korea

In July 2026, China's share of vehicle imports to Colombia reached 30.1%, up from 16.1% four years prior, according to the think tank of the National Association of Financial Institutions (ANIF). This surge was driven by an overall 31.7% increase in Colombia's total imports, from US$5.850 billion to US$7.702 billion, including cost, insurance, and freight (CIF). ANIF attributes this growth to the strengthened Colombian peso against the dollar and a longer-term upward trend that began in early 2025.

Among vehicle-related imports, China and South Korea emerged as the leading suppliers, capturing 30.1% and 11.6% of the market, respectively. These gains were made at the expense of Brazil and Mexico, with the former losing the most market share. The automotive industry's share of total imports grew from 9.1% in 2025 to 12.1% in 2026, exceeding its 2022 share of 7.4%.

The trend in vehicle sales mirrors the import growth, with new car registrations increasing by 36.1% in September 2026 compared to the previous year, rising from 24,894 to 33,890. This upward trajectory, driven by consumer preference for hybrid and electric vehicles, is expected to continue, potentially culminating in imports nearing US$80,000 billion CIF by year-end.