Colombia May 2023: First win for Toyota, Corolla Cross #1, market sinks -30%

The Toyota Corolla Cross is the best-selling vehicle in Colombia in May.

New vehicle sales in Colombia continue to struggle in May at -30% year-on-year to 15,695 units, leading to a year-to-date tally off 24% to 76,434. A caveat to this ghastly performance is the fact May 2022 was euphoric at +52.5% on the year prior. Toyota (+2.5%) brilliantly goes against the dropping market to snap the pole position for what is believed to be the first time ever, dislodging a freefalling Renault (-46.8%). As a result Toyota climbs to #2 year-to-date, overtaking Chevrolet down -40.4% for the month. Kia (-28.6%) and Mazda (-31.5%) evolve roughly like the market with Suzuki (+2%) and Ford (+3.9%) the only additional gainers in the Top 10. Volkswagen (-61%) is hit particularly hard.

Model-wise, the Toyota Corolla Cross (+84.1%) is the overall best-seller for the 2nd time this year, winning comfortably with 5.7% share. The Corolla Cross misses out on the YTD top spot for just 30 sales. Leader over the Full Year 2022 but down to #4 so far this year, the Suzuki Swift (+298.8%) rallies back up to #2 in May. It distances the YTD top model, the Dacia Duster (-14.8%) The Toyota Hilux (+67.7%), Chevrolet Onix (+59.7%), Mazda2 (+63.9%) and Ford Ranger (+384.4%) post market-defying lifts in the remainder of the Top 10.

Previous month: Colombia April 2023: Mazda2 best-seller in worsening market (-33.2%)

One year ago: Colombia May 2022: Renault back to #1, Toyota (+126.2%) impresses in euphoric market (+52.5%)

Full May 2023 Top 10 brands and Top 75 models below.