Colombia March 2020: Mazda CX-30 lands at #1 in market paralysed by coronavirus (-39.1%)

The Mazda CX-30 is the best-selling vehicle in Colombia in March.

In order to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the country, Colombia is under a nationwide quarantine since March 20, originally scheduled end on April 12. The Colombian new vehicle market had a great start of 2020 with sales up 13.1% after two months. The first 20 days of March were even better at +21% year-on-year according to Andemos. But the quarantine froze sales at their March 20 level and the month ends up down -39.1% to 12.290 units, the weakest March result since 2006. In turn the Q1 volume also tilts into negative at -6.2% to 54.635.

New vehicle sales – Daily MTD evolution for March 2020. Source Andemos

Brand leaders Renault (-49.7%) and Chevrolet (-55.5%) fall even faster than the market but easily retain the top 2 spots while Mazda (-18.1%) enjoys the slimmest fall in the Top 7 to step up one spot onto third place. Kia (-35.3%) is also up one on February to #4 whereas Nissan (-46.7%) drops two to #5. Suzuki (-4.2%) posts the best hold in the Top 10, with Volkswagen (-23.7%),  Toyota (-25%) and Hyundai (-37.4%) keeping their fall below the market rate. Scania (+332%), Seat (+287.5%), Changan (+205.2%) and Kenworth (+77.8%) actually score gains in the remainder of the Top 30.

It’s a very peculiar month for most car markets in the world, but in the Colombian models ranking we have the added surprise of a new leader. The result of a very aggressive pre-sale campaign in February, the Mazda CX-30 becomes almost instantly the best-selling vehicle in Colombia with just under 500 units sold in March after 41 found a buyer in February. Local automotive press even commented how Mazda dealers were full of customers having reserved the vehicle. This is an outstanding start, with the added benefit that the Mazda3 (-45.8%) isn’t hit harder than usual for now. It’s also a launch figure that could fizzle down when the market gets back to normal. Meanwhile February leader the Renault Logan is nudged to 2nd place for 11 sales while the Chevrolet Onix is down a further two to #9 but retains its YTD lead.

Previous month: Colombia February 2020: Renault Logan tops market up 11.1%

One year ago: Colombia March 2019: Kwid lands, lifts Renault to #1 YTD in market up 3.1%

Full March 2020 Top 30 brands and models below.