Colombia February 2021

 

Dongfeng Rich-6 EV: Available in Colombia

Mercedes GLC PHEV #1 in hot market

EVs in Colombia are growing fast, jumping this year 52% YoY, with February signaling a record month, with 218 registrations, allowing the plugin share to grow, with the 1,3% share of last month allowing the YTD number to cross the 1% mark, now at 1,1%, being the first country south the US border to do so, which added to the hundreds of electric buses being deployed there, keeps the Colombian market at the forefront of the EV Revolution in Latin America.

Looking at the Year Best Sellers, it does look like a rather original Top 5, doesn't it?

Mercedes is in the lead, thanks to its GLC SUV, while below it, you will find two representatives of one of the most important trends in South America, the rise of Chinese EVs, while Legacy OEMs have their eyes focussed elsewhere, Chinese EV brands are investing their export efforts in these markets, and because they already have a foothold here, thanks to previous efforts made with ICE models, it becomes easier for them to win ground, unlike Europe or North America, where Chinese brands are unknown. 

Also important to remember, here they are playing in a levelled field with the Legacy OEMs, because neither have the home advantage, making the race all more interesting.

Outside the podium, in #5 we have the three times winner (2018, '19 & '20) BMW i3, that is also a popular EV in a number of neighboring countries, like Costa Rica, but this year it has seen its sales fall off a cliff, down by two thirds, allowing its French rival Renault Zoe to surpass it and occupy the 4th spot.

Another interesting aspect of the Chinese investment in this market (28% of plugin sales this year belong to Chinese makers), is the diversity of models offered, from small city cars, to larger 7-seat SUVs or MPVs, there is something for everyone, including vans and even an electric pick-up truck, the Dongfeng Rich-6 EV, that has 6 registrations so far this year.

By brands, Mercedes is the new King, with 35% share, with BYD in the runner-up spot, with 15% share, while Changan and BMW share the Bronze medal, both with 10% share.

Colombia March 2020

Dongfeng Rich-6 EV: A success story in Colombia?

BMW i3 #1

EVs in Colombia have hit the brakes last month, due to the COVID lockdown, in the second half of March, with the 99 units sold last month representing a 11% drop, but despite this, the YTD numbers are still up by 4%.

And because the overall market is faring even worse (-39% in March, -6% YTD), the plugin share has grown, to 0,6% (0,8% in March), which is already above the 2019 mark (0,5%). 

Colombia will likely be the first Latin American market to reach 1% share, at least in a few months of 2020, confirming itself as the most promising plugin market south of the US border.

Looking at the Year Best Sellers, there weren't major changes in the last few months, with the two times (2018, '19) winner BMW i3 firm in the leadership, followed by its stablemate BMW 330e in #2, although the sedan is now threatened by the #3 Nissal Leaf, that registered 18 units last month, its best result this year.

Outside the podium, we have the three times winner (2015, '16 & '17) Renault Twizy, tied with another BMW, the X5 PHEV, both in #4.

But last month most interesting news was the landing of the Dongfeng Rich-6 EV, with 13 registrations in March of the Chinese Pick-up Truck (based on the Nissan Frontier / Navara), it has become immediately the most successful Chinese EV in this market, so it will be interesting to see how the Best Selling electric pick-up truck in the World (there isn't much competition...), with its 57 kWh battery, will do in Colombia.

By brands, BMW is King, with 48% share, with Mercedes in the runner-up spot, with 15% share, while Renault is 3rd, with 12%, just ahead of Nissan (11%).

Markets Roundup - December 2019

I. Big Markets

Let's see how the Big EV Markets fared in 2019:

China

* BAIC EU-Series #1 - First time winner, but in 2020 it will have more competition; 

* 1.2 million units - What a roller coaster, great first half of the year, then after the incentives change, a stark drop, with December ending with a sign of hope. And the Market Share reached 5.5%, above the share of the USA or Europe. 

USA

* Tesla Model 3 #1 - Second win for the Californian, but in 2020 the Model Y lands, so...Enjoy it while you can, Model 3;

* 325.000 sales - Poor second half of the year, leading to slight drop, to 2.0% share.

Europe

* Tesla Model 2 #1 - First title for Tesla in Europe, to be repeated in 2020, but in 2021, things should become more interesting;

* 564.000 units - Sales increased the pace, with the PEV share reaching 3.6%, with plug-in hybrids losing importance, with BEV's now owning 64% of the market. 

Japan

* Nissan Leaf #1 - Despite lack of real competition, the Nissan hatch did its part and won another title;

* 44.000 units - What can i say, sales have (again) dropped and the PEV share has dropped to 0.8%. Disappointing.

Canada

* Tesla Model 3 #1 - Canada's darling. At least until the Model y lands...

* 51.000 units - Strong, steady growth, with the market share ending at a record 2.6%.

South Korea

* Hyundai Kona EV #1 - A new year, a new win for the Crossover, scoring another all-time record (14.000 units). The Kona EV is the leader in Korea.

* 34.000 sales - A hot market, with doubling sales, and the market share now reaching 1.9%. A mention to the Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell, that registered 4,000 units, leading to a 0.2% share, being the only place FCEVs started to become common(ish).

III. Other markets

A few words on smaller markets:

New Zealand - Tesla Model 3 lands and immediately becomes the Best Seller. PEV share jumped to 2.6% (up from 1.4% in 2018);

Israel - Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was #1, market has beaten the 2018 records and reached 1.5% share. Too many PHEVs, though;

Australia - Doubling sales (9,000 units), with the Tesla Model 3 stealing the show and winning the Best Seller title. The market share needle is finally starting to move (0.9% PEV share);

Brazil - Volvo XC60 PHEV was the Best Seller, in a year that things finally started to move upwards (1,500 units), although share wise, we are still rock bottom (0.1%);

Mexico - Tesla Model 3 steals the show and pulls the market up (1,400 units in total), but share wise, it is still in its infancy (0.1%);

Colombia - Fast growth is moving up the needle (0.5% share), with the BMW i3 becoming the 2019 Best Seller;

South Africa - Jaguar and Land Rover came into play and together with BMW, they are the only ones pulling the market up, allowing it to reach record heights (300 units...);

Taiwan - Tesla Model 3 disrupts the market, making it grow 5-fold, while the plugin share finally starts to move (0.4% share);

Hong Kong - Although still far from the 2017 record (4,000 units), the 2019 result (2,000 units) allowed it to come alive again and reach some 5% share;

Singapore - A record 1,400 units allowed this market to reach 1.9%, with the 2019 Best Seller being the Hyundai Kona EV; 

Colombia October 2018

BMW i3 rules in hot market

EVs in Colombia are picking up, with 149 units sold last month, with the 1.038 units of this year already doubling the 2018 result.

Regarding the PEV Share, the 2019 result is now at 0.5%, so Colombia will likely be the first Latin American market to reach 1% share, maybe already in 2020, confirming itself as the most promising plugin market south of the US border.

Looking at the Year Best Sellers, there weren't major changes in the last few months, with last year winner BMW i3 is firm in the leadership, followed by three times winner (2015, '16 & '17) Renault Twizy, with the last place of the podium going for the Renault Zoe, now in 3rd, while the Nissan Leaf is making itself noticed, having won the October month and jumping to #4.

Pl	Colombia	Oct.	2019	%	'18Pl
1	BMW i3	15	220	21	1
2 3 4	Renault Twizy Renault Zoe Nissan Leaf	9 16 20	137 106 90	13 10 9	2 3 N/A
5	Mercedes GLC350e Others	5 84	81 404	8 39	13
TOTAL		149	1.038	100

Colombia May 2019

Gaining momentum in Colombia

Record month in hot market

EVs in Colombia are picking up charge, with a record 148 units sold last month, with the 440 units of this year just a few units away from beating the 2018 record, so we could see a new yearly record...In June.

Regarding the PEV Share, the 2019 result is now at 0.5%, so Colombia will likely be the first Latin American market to reach 1% share, confirming itself as the most promising plugin market south of the US border.

Looking at the Year Best Sellers, there weren't major changes regarding 2018, with last year winner BMW i3 in the leadership, followed by three times winner (2015, '16 & '17) Renault Twizy, with the last place of the podium belonging to the surprising Mercedes GLC350e, that found a second life in markets outside Europe, namely here.

Pl	Colombia	May	2019	%	'18Pl
1	BMW i3	36	83	19	1
2 3 4	Renault Twizy Mercedes GLC350e Renault Zoe	10 32 22	77 57 45	18 13 10	2 13 3
5	Mini Countryman PHEV Others	12 36	37 141	8 32	6
TOTAL		148	440	100

vehiculoselectricos.co