The recent decision by President Donald Trump to impose a 25% tariff on Mexican exports to the United States has created uncertainty in the automotive industry.
The question now is: what will happen to electrified vehicles in Colombia?
Mexico, a strategic partner for Colombia’s vehicle imports, could face supply chain disruptions, potentially affecting the prices of electrified models.
The country remains one of Colombia’s top vehicle suppliers, having exported 17,186 units between January and July 2024.
Key automakers exporting to Colombia from Mexico include Mazda, Nissan, Ford, and Kia, with most models being combustion-powered but showing a growing share of electrified vehicles, according to the Mexican Association of the Automotive Industry (AMIA).
Electrified Vehicles at Risk: The Most Affected Models
SUVs account for 47.4% of Mexico’s vehicle exports to Colombia, including hybrid and electric models that could face price increases due to additional tariff-related costs.
Among the most exported models are:
• Mazda CX-30, featuring a mild hybrid version
• Nissan Kicks e-Power, a hybrid with extended range technology
• Ford Bronco Sport, which already offers electrified variants in some markets
In the sedan and hatchback segments, notable hybrid models include:
• Mazda 2
• Mazda 3 Sedan
• Nissan Versa
How Will This Measure Impact the Colombian Market?
The increase in production and export costs in Mexico could translate into higher prices for electrified vehicles in Colombia.
Price hikes are estimated to range between $3,500 and $5,000 per unit, depending on the model and the manufacturers’ ability to absorb costs.
Guillermo Rosales, President of the Mexican Association of Automotive Dealers (AMDA), warned that tariffs will not only make cars more expensive in the US but could also impact vehicle manufacturing for other markets.
However, Rodrigo Ánjel, Technical Director at Andemos, downplayed concerns that Trump’s tariff policy would directly affect vehicle prices in Colombia.
In an interview with Mobility Portal Latinoamérica, he explained:
“There should not be an increase in costs, unless the production of units destined for Colombia sees a price increase from the manufacturer to compensate for the production costs of vehicles originally intended for the US.”
Ánjel also highlighted that Colombia has a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Mexico, theoretically shielding its market from these tariffs:
“Bilateral trade should not be affected by Mexico’s relations with other countries,” he stated.
Will EV Adoption in Colombia Slow Down?
Rodrigo Ánjel believes that Mexico’s production adjustments should not impact vehicle availability in Colombia.
“Hypothetically speaking, stopping production for a market that previously bought large volumes due to blocked entry should not increase production costs, as manufacturing capacity is already in place,” he asserts.
While automakers’ commercial strategies may change, production capacity is expected to remain stable.
Chinese Brands Dominate Colombia’s EV Market, Led by BYD
In 2025, Chinese brands continue to lead Colombia’s zero-emission vehicle market, with BYD at the forefront.
BYD accounted for 49% of all EV registrations in January, led by the:
• BYD Yuan Up
• BYD Seagull
Both models also topped the rankings throughout 2024.
Other key players in Colombia’s EV market include:
• Volvo (9.5%)
• Kia (9.5%)
• Zeekr (5.5%)
• BMW (3.2%)
Top Five Best-Selling EVs in January 2025
1. BYD Yuan Up – 29.4% market share
2. BYD Seagull – 17.2%
3. Kia EV5 – 8.8%
4. Volvo EX30 – 7.1%
5. Zeekr X – 4.5%
These five models represented 67% of total EV registrations in January 2025, reinforcing the dominance of Asian brands in Colombia’s electric vehicle market.
