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. (, , ; originally FIAT, it, Fabbrica Italiana Automobili di Torino, lit=Italian Automobiles Factory of Turin) is an Italian automobile manufacturer, formerly part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and since 2021 a subsidiary ...

in 1973. They have manufactured various cars under license, including vehicles from

Willys Overland Willys (pronounced , "Willis" ) was a brand name used by Willys–Overland Motors, an American automobile company, founded by John North Willys. It was best known for its design and production of World War II era and later military jeeps (MBs ...

, Zastava, Polski Fiat,

Peugeot Peugeot (, , ) is a French brand of automobiles owned by Stellantis. The family business that preceded the current Peugeot companies was founded in 1810, with a steel foundry that soon started making hand tools and kitchen equipment, and the ...

, and

Mitsubishi The is a group of autonomous Japanese multinational companies in a variety of industries. Founded by Yatarō Iwasaki in 1870, the Mitsubishi Group historically descended from the Mitsubishi zaibatsu, a unified company which existed from 1870 ...

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 name used by Willys–Overland Motors, an American automobile company, founded by John North Willys. It was best known for its design and production of World War II era and later military jeeps (MBs ...

marketed in Colombia at the time. In 1968, CCA contracted with

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 , commonly referred to as simply Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Fuchū, Hiroshima, Japan. In 2015, Mazda produced 1.5 million vehicles for global sales, the majority of which (nearly one m ...

, 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 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,

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) introduced the Mazda brand in the Colombian market, hoping to capitalize on

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

'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 ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in th ...

. *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

vehicles were also assembled by CCA, including the

Ford Laser The Ford Laser is a compact car, originally a subcompact car in the first three generations, which was sold by Ford in Asia, Oceania, and parts of South America and Africa. It has generally been available as a sedan or hatchback, although conve ...

, Ford Ranger,

Mitsubishi Montero The Further information on the Mitsubishi P ...

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 in South America with insular regions in North America—near Nicaragua's Caribbean coast—as well as in the Pacific Ocean. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Car ...

Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ''Eku ...

and

. 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 automobile is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of ''cars'' say that they run primarily on roads, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport people instead of goods. The year 1886 is regarded as ...

Mazda 2 , commonly referred to as simply Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Fuchū, Hiroshima, Japan. In 2015, Mazda produced 1.5 million vehicles for global sales, the majority of which (nearly one mi ...

''Mazda2 - Colombia''
/ref> * Mazda 3''Mazda3 First generation / Colombia''
/ref> * Mazda 6''Mazda2 - Colombia''
/ref> ;

Van A van is a type of road vehicle used for transporting goods or people. Depending on the type of van, it can be bigger or smaller than a pickup truck and SUV, and bigger than a common car. There is some varying in the scope of the word across th ...

Mazda 5 , commonly referred to as simply Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Fuchū, Hiroshima, Japan. In 2015, Mazda produced 1.5 million vehicles for global sales, the majority of which (nearly one mi ...

; Pickups * Mazda BT-50 / Ford Ranger''Mazda BT50 / Colombia''
/ref> ;

SUV A sport utility vehicle (SUV) is a car classification that combines elements of road-going passenger cars with features from off-road vehicles, such as raised ground clearance and four-wheel drive. There is no commonly agreed-upon definitio ...

* Mazda CX-7 * Mazda CX-9

List of produced vehicles by Mazda brand

Automobile formerly production

;

* Mazda 2 Sedan All-New * Mazda 3 * Mazda 3 All-New''Mazda3 All-New. / Colombia''
/ref> * Mazda 6 * Mazda 323 * Mazda 626 * 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 The Fiat 600 ( it, Seicento, ) is a rear-engine, water-cooled city car, manufactured and marketed by Fiat Automobiles, Fiat from 1955 to 1969 — offered in two-door fastback sedan and four-door Multipla mini MPV body styles. Measuring only ...

Fiat 124 The Fiat 124 is a small family car manufactured and marketed by Italian company Fiat between 1966 and 1974. The saloon superseded the Fiat 1300 and was the basis for several variants including a station wagon, a four-seater coupé ( 124 Sport Cou ...

Fiat 128 The Fiat 128 is a transverse front-engine, front wheel drive small family car manufactured and marketed by Fiat from 1969 to 1985 as a two- or four-door sedan, three- or five-door station wagon as well as two- or three-door coupé. The 128 runni ...

* Fiat 147 *

Fiat 131 The Fiat 131 is a family sedan manufactured and marketed by Fiat from 1974 to 1984 after its debut at the 1974 Turin Motor Show. Available as a two-door and four-door saloon and 5-door estate across a single generation, the 131 succeeded th ...

* Fiat OM 70 * Fiat 673N

Polski Fiat

Polski Fiat 126p The Fiat 126 (Type 126) is a four-passenger, rear-engine, city car manufactured and marketed by Fiat over a twenty-eight year production run from 1972 until 2000, over a single generation. Introduced by Fiat in October 1972 at the Turin Auto Show ...

* Polski Fiat 125p * Polski Fiat 131p

Zastava 128 128 may refer to *128 (number), a natural number *AD 128 Year 128 ( CXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Calpurniu ...

Peugeot

Peugeot 404 The Peugeot 404 is a large family car produced by French automobile manufacturer Peugeot from 1960 to 1975. A truck body style variant was marketed until 1988. Styled by Pininfarina, the 404 was offered initially as a sedan (car), saloon, estate (c ...

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