Compañía Colombiana Automotriz S.A. was a car factory based in
Bogotá, Colombia. Founded in the early 1960s as Leonidas Lara e Hijos, it assumed its current name with the beginning of its association with
Fiat
Fiat Automobiles S.p.A., commonly known as simply Fiat ( , ; ), is an Italian automobile manufacturer. It became a part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in 2014 and, in 2021, became a subsidiary of Stellantis through its Italian division, Stellant ...
in 1973. They have manufactured various cars under license, including vehicles from
Willys Overland,
Fiat
Fiat Automobiles S.p.A., commonly known as simply Fiat ( , ; ), is an Italian automobile manufacturer. It became a part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in 2014 and, in 2021, became a subsidiary of Stellantis through its Italian division, Stellant ...
,
Zastava,
Polski Fiat,
Peugeot
Peugeot (, , ) is a French automobile brand owned by Stellantis.
The family business that preceded the current Peugeot companies was established in 1810, making it the oldest car company in the world. On 20 November 1858, Émile Peugeot applie ...
, and
Mitsubishi.
History
The origins of the Compañia Colombiana Automotriz go back to the 1960s, when Leonidas Lara and his family acquired a warehouse which would become the main headquarters, but was initially known as the assembly plant for the
Willys
Willys (pronounced , "Willis")
was a brand, brand name used by Willys–Overland Motors, an American automobile company, founded by John Willys, John North Willys. It was best known for its design and production of World War II–era Willys MB, ...
marketed in Colombia at the time.
In 1968, CCA contracted with
Peugeot
Peugeot (, , ) is a French automobile brand owned by Stellantis.
The family business that preceded the current Peugeot companies was established in 1810, making it the oldest car company in the world. On 20 November 1858, Émile Peugeot applie ...
for the assembly of vehicles, which lasted until 1969. In 1973 a contract with Fiat was signed for the assembly of automobiles of the brand and partners. In the same year, the sons of Leonidas Lara renamed the company Compañía Colombiana Automotriz. In 1982, Mazda began to acquire the main partnership rights from Fiat.
In 1983, the company established a partnership with
Mazda
is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Fuchū, Hiroshima (town), Fuchū, Hiroshima Prefecture, Hiroshima, Japan. The company was founded on January 30, 1920, as Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd. ...
, who until 2014 owned 100% of the company, and began the production of its first automobile, the
Mazda 323. It later produced the
Mazda B-2000, and the
Mazda 626
__NOTOC__
Year 626 (Roman numerals, DCXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 626 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent ...
by 1984. From 1983 until 2014 vehicles like the
Mazda Allegro,
Mazda 3,
Mazda 6,
Mazda BT-50 and Ford Ranger twins were produced for the South American market, including its largest market, Venezuela, which in the first nine months of 1983 purchased about 12,000 units. CCA also assembles the Allegro, based on the
Mazda Protege. In October 2007 the Venezuelan government imposed an import quota of 4,000 CCA vehicles which had an adverse effect on the company given that 50% of its sales are directed to the Venezuelan market.
The company previously produced on its assembly line,
Mazda
is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Fuchū, Hiroshima (town), Fuchū, Hiroshima Prefecture, Hiroshima, Japan. The company was founded on January 30, 1920, as Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd. ...
,
Mitsubishi and
Ford vehicles. However, poor sales for the Mazda brand in Colombia and the construction of a Mazda plant in Mexico, led to Mazdas being imported to Colombia from the Mazda Mexico Company.
Chronology
*1982
In 1982 the ''Compañia Colombiana Automotriz S.A.'' (CCA) then owner , Salomon Kassin flew to japan, talked with companies to produce in Colombia. He stayed with and introduced the Mazda brand in the Colombian market, hoping to capitalize on
Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
's growing reputation for technological advancement and quality in their production. Sumitomo Co. and Mazda Motor Co. that year became shareholders of the CCA with 15% each, ensuring the establishment of the Mazda brand in Colombia. Thus began the production of brand vehicles with Japanese financial, technological, and trade support.
*1983
With the beginning of assembly of Mazda vehicles in Colombia, the CEC launched the
Mazda B-1600 pickup truck, and the B-Series van in October. In December, CCA released to the public the Mazda 323 and Mazda 323 Notchback hatchback models.
*1984 - 1985
In May 1984, the company launched the Mazda 626 L. In July the Mazda 626 Mazda 626 LX and GLX models were launched. The first-generation Mazda 626 appeared in Japanese Challenge showcases promoting its engines (1.8 and 2.0 liters respectively). A commercial finance company, Financiera SA Mazdacrédito, was established to provide financing services to the related dealer network.
*1986
Introduced the new Mazda 323, with softer lines and contours, available in NX versions (taxi), HS, NT and NS, with engines of 1.3 and 1.5 liters. The Mazda 626 also saw a new edition called the New Breed, with increased engine displacement to 2.0 liters for the LX and a sharper body design profile. Assembly of the Mazda B-2000 pickup begins. In August electrical engineer José Fernando Isaza was named by the government as president of the CCA.
*1987
In February, the customer service hotline handles 2,626,323 calls to address and resolve concerns. At the end of July, the CEC Mazda consolidates the market with a 36% stake.
*1990
On July 10, 1990 the production plant produced its 100,000th Mazda in Colombia. Sumitomo Co. and Mazda Motor Co. acquire 100% of the shares of the CCA.
*1991
Mazda Leasing Company S.A. was established, which fulfills one of the goals of the company to provide a financial mechanism to facilitate the purchase and lease of vehicles. The national government started implementing the policy of opening up imports as part of an Andean regional integration plan. MX-5, MPV, minivan, and truck models begin to be imported from Japan. First enty into the international export market begins with the first trucks exported to
Venezuela
Venezuela, officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many Federal Dependencies of Venezuela, islands and islets in the Caribbean Sea. It com ...
.
*1994
Launched the 929, MX-6, 323, and 626 Astina Matsuri; these vehicles were assembled locally .
*1995
Launched the Allegro 1.6 and 1.8 liter models. Allegro was available in notchback and hatchback versions. By October of that year, the B-Series Crew Cab was launched.
*2000
In early 2000, the CCA introduced the updated 626 to the Colombian and Venezuelan market. The new Mazda B-Series, assembled in-house, was introduced in single and double cab editions with 2.2 and 2.6 liter engines, both in 4x2 and 4x4.
*2001
Mazda 626 was equipped with security systems and ABS Air Bag. Mazda 323 versions also received improvements, including addition of a tachometer and rear seat belts on all versions.
*2006
On January 30, a
Mazda6 was the 350,000th unit assembled on the production line.
Ford and
Mitsubishi vehicles were also assembled by CCA, including the
Ford Laser,
Ford Ranger,
Mitsubishi Montero and the
Mitsubishi Bus 639. Mazda 626 production ends after 22 years of production (1984-2006), with a total of 70.140 units assembled for
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country primarily located in South America with Insular region of Colombia, insular regions in North America. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Venezuel ...
,
Ecuador
Ecuador, officially the Republic of Ecuador, is a country in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. It also includes the Galápagos Province which contain ...
and
Venezuela
Venezuela, officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many Federal Dependencies of Venezuela, islands and islets in the Caribbean Sea. It com ...
. José Fernando Isaza retired in April after 20 years of service with the company, succeeded by Fabio Arturo Sanchez.
*2007
Launch of the
Mazda CX-7,
Mazda CX-9, and the
Mazda BT-50 pickup. LS-50 is the first truck model rolling out from CCA's new facility for commercial vehicles.
*2008
Launch of new Mazda2 in April.
*2014
Main assembly plant closed. Vehicles are now imported from Mazda Mexico facilities.
Models
List of Mazda imported vehicles (currently)
;
Automobiles
A car, or an automobile, is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of cars state that they run primarily on roads, Car seat, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport private transport#Personal transport, peopl ...
*
Mazda 2[''Mazda2 - Colombia''](_blank)
/ref>
* Mazda 3[''Mazda3 First generation / Colombia''](_blank)
/ref>
* Mazda 6[''Mazda2 - Colombia''](_blank)
/ref>
; Pickups
* Mazda BT-50 / Ford Ranger[''Mazda BT50 / Colombia''](_blank)
/ref>
; SUV
* Mazda CX-7
* Mazda CX-9
List of produced vehicles by Mazda brand
Automobile formerly production
;Automobiles
A car, or an automobile, is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of cars state that they run primarily on roads, Car seat, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport private transport#Personal transport, peopl ...
* Mazda 2
* Mazda 2 Sedan All-New
* Mazda 3
* Mazda 3 All-New''Mazda3 All-New. / Colombia''
/ref>
* Mazda 6
* Mazda 323
* Mazda 626
__NOTOC__
Year 626 (Roman numerals, DCXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 626 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent ...
* Mazda 323 Allegro
; Pickups
* Mazda B-Series
* Mazda BT-50 / Ford Ranger
; Towner trucks
* Mazda T-Series
List of vehicles assembled by other brands
Fiat
* Fiat 600
* Fiat 124
* Fiat 128
* Fiat 147
* Fiat 131
* Fiat OM 70
* Fiat 673N
Polski Fiat
* Polski Fiat 126p
* Polski Fiat 125p
* Polski Fiat 131p
Ford
* Ford Laser
* Ford Ranger
Mitsubishi
* Mitsubishi Montero first generation (1983 - 1997)
* Mitsubishi Montero second generation (1998 - 2006)
Crvena Zavodi Zastava
* Zastava 1300
* Fiat 750Z
* Zastava 128
Peugeot
* Peugeot 404
Willys
* Willys/Jeep CJ-5
* Willys/Jeep CJ-3B
References
External links
Commercial Website
Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Compania Colombiana Automotriz
Motor vehicle manufacturers of Colombia
Motor vehicle assembly plants in Colombia
Defunct companies of Colombia