Colombia. In conversation with Aftermarket International, the president of the Association of the Automotive Sector and its Parts (Asopartes) of Colombia, Carlos Andrés Pineda, shared his perspectives on the future in recent years of the auto parts sector in the country and the region.
For almost half a century, Asopartes has represented the Colombian automotive industry in its transversality, which today has more than 54,000 companies formally registered in the country's chambers of commerce; 40,000 associated with the automotive sector and 14,000 with the motorcycle sector. The association brings together around 500 affiliated companies, with about 2000 commercial establishments represented.
The president of the Association assures that both the Colombian and Latin American industry have enormous opportunities in terms of specialization. Although it points out that the Colombian car market does not sell the number of vehicles it should in relation to its population, in terms of motorcycle sales it is the leader in Latin America only behind Brazil.
There is one fact in particular that stands out: the previous year, Colombia sold more motorcycles than the entire U.S. market: more than 800,000.
"What that tells us is that there is a strong, strengthened, dynamic industry around the motorcycle, and that we must also take advantage of these opportunities in the market of vehicles, both light and heavy, which is a great challenge that we have to develop in our association and in our country, "says Carlos Andrés Pineda.
That is why he considers so relevant the agreement with AutoAméricas Show, an event that considers a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs not only Colombians, but from all over Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as South Florida, to strengthen ties and put these markets into dialogue with the North American one.
"In this way, a space will be gained in that international radar," says Carlos Andrés, who on the other hand invites to the fair organized this year by the Association: Expopartes 2023, to be held from June 21 to 23 in Bogotá, with the confirmed presence of more than ten countries, and exhibitors from China, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, among others.
Here's the full interview:
