Sofasa
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Fate | Continues operations |
| Headquarters | Envigado , Colombia |
Area served | Colombia, Andean Community of Nations (CAN) |
| Products | Automobiles (Renault Logan, Duster, Clio, Symbol, Megane, Twingo), commercial vehicles (Toyota Prado, Land Cruiser, Hilux, Daihatsu Delta) |
| Owner | Renault |
| Parent | Renault |
Sociedad de Fabricación de Automotores (SOFASA) is a Colombian manufacturer specializing in assembling imported Renault vehicles, having previously assembled Toyota and Daihatsu Delta models. It holds the distinction of being the first company in the Americas to produce the Renault Logan. Alongside the Logan, SOFASA has produced models such as the Renault Clio, Renault Symbol, Renault Megane, and Renault Twingo, as well as commercial vehicles including the Toyota Prado, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Hilux, and Daihatsu Delta. The company exports to the Andean Community of Nations (CAN) and caters to Colombia’s local market. Presently, Renault is the sole proprietor. By 2019, SOFASA’s annual production capacity had reached 70,000 units, establishing it as the largest automotive exporter in the region.
History
Established in 1969, SOFASA began its operations by assembling French Renault automobiles. The company's inaugural vehicle, the Renault 4L, rolled out in 1970. By 1972, production expanded to include the Renault 6 equipped with a 1.108cc engine, followed by the Renault 12 in 1973 and its station wagon variant in 1974.
In 1975, SOFASA unveiled the upgraded Renault 4 Plus 25, powered by a domestically developed 1.022cc engine delivering 25% more power. The subsequent year saw a redesign of the Renault 6 and 12 to reflect international updates, alongside the introduction of a Renault 12 taxi variant, maintaining this lineup until 1981.
By 1981, assembly began on the Renault 18 GTL, GTL Break, and Taxi models, which replaced the Renault 12 after approximately 56,250 units were sold between 1973 and 1981. The Renault 9, launched in 1983, became one of Colombia’s top-selling vehicles with around 115,000 units sold. That same year featured an updated Renault 4 GTL (later renamed Master). In 1984, production of the Renault 6 ceased after about 42,500 units had been manufactured, coinciding with the launch of the Renault 9 Taxi.
The year 1985 marked the debut of SOFASA’s most powerful model at that time: the Renault 18 GTX, featuring a 2.0L engine generating 100 HP. After selling roughly 45,100 units, production of the Renault 18 ended in 1987 and was succeeded by the more upscale Renault 21. Updates to the Renault 9 included new GTL and GTS trims.
In 1989, SOFASA introduced the Renault 4 LIDER, equipped with a 1.3L engine derived from the Renault 12; however, it did not replace the Master model. The following year saw the launch of Colombia’s first locally assembled car with electronic fuel injection: the luxurious Renault 21 Étoile.
Production of the Renault 4 concluded in 1992 after more than two decades and over 97,000 units built. That year also brought new versions of the Renault 9 (Brio, Super, Max) alongside imports like the French-made Renault Clio. Additionally, assembly began for Toyota Land Cruiser and Hilux vehicles.
In 1993, SOFASA refreshed its Renault lineup with models such as Renault 9 and Renault 21 Étoile (available as sedan, hatchback, and Break), while importing the Renault Safrane from France.
A significant development occurred in 1994 when Bavaria Group acquired a majority stake (51%) in SOFASA. That year also introduced the Renault 19 and expanded commercial operations to include exporting Toyota Land Cruiser and Hilux vehicles to Ecuador.
To enhance market presence in 1995, SOFASA launched the Renault Twingo and founded a subsidiary in Venezuela (SOFAVEN) for commercial activities. Imports of Renault Laguna began alongside two new variants of the Renault 19.
In Colombia during 1996, SOFASA commercially released the Renault Clio and introduced a new version of the Renault 9 Personnalité while commencing exports to Venezuela and Ecuador.
By the late-1990s, commercial vehicle imports like the Renault Midliner started arriving alongside local production of Toyota Prado. The discontinued Renault 9 was succeeded by the Renault Megane in following years. Early-2000s saw local introductions of models including Renault Symbol (2001), Clio II (2001), and Megane II (2003).
Following Bavaria’s divestment in SOFASA in 2003, ownership transferred to Renault (60%), Toyota (28%), and Mitsui (12%). Mitsui later sold its share five years afterward to both Renault and Toyota.
The popular Renault Logan was launched locally in 2005. By 2006, Toyota expanded production at Envigado plant to include Daihatsu and Hino vehicles. In 2008, Renault gained full ownership of SOFASA and began local assembly of models such as Dacia Sandero (marketed as Renault Sandero) while importing others like Koleos from South Korea.
More recently, SOFASA introduced imported models including Renault Fluence (2011) and commenced assembly of Renault Duster at its Envigado facility starting in 2012.
Current lineup
- Manufactured locally
- Imported vehicles
Former models
- Renault
- 4 (1970–1992) – total production of 97,050 units
- 6 (1971–1984)
- 9 (1983–1999)
- 12 (1973–1981)
- 18 (1981–1987)
- 19 (1994–2001)
- 21 (1987–1994)
- Twingo I (1995–2012) – production reached 100,000 units
- Mégane I (1999–2009)
- Symbol I (2001–2009)
- Clio I & II (1996–2017)
- Sandero II (2008–2020)
- Sandero Stepway II (2009–2020)
- Toyota
- Land Cruiser J70 (1993–2008)
- Land Cruiser Prado J90 (1999–2008)
- Hilux V & VI (1994–2004)
- Daihatsu
- Delta (2005–2010)