Despite the global crisis in the automotive sector resulting from the pandemic, the difficulty in global container logistics, inflation and the scarcity of raw materials; the vehicle armor industry has been gaining ground in recent years and that today invoice around $300 billion in Colombia.
According to Superintendence of Surveillance and Private Security, In the country, 36 companies offer the armoring service for cars, a business that registers a growth of 11% compared to 2018.
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It is estimated that In Colombia, between 1,800 and 2,000 vehicles are armored per year. During the past year 2,729 cars went through this procedure, only in Bogotá. Special permissions are usually required to make these modifications, however, in the cases of armor level I and II, they are not necessary.
The above, not to mention the number of vehicles of public entities that constantly require these services such as the National Protection Unit UNP.
Companies in the sector assure that, the high levels of insecurity in the country and vehicle theft have led many citizens to look for alternatives to protect themselves. In the case of level I and II armor that do not require special permits, the occupants of the vehicle are safe from small arms attacks, like 9mm or 357 magnum pistols.
In addition the anti-vandal glass protect against forms of theft that are common in large cities, such as the so-called “glass breaker”. Industry innovations with ultralight protective materials, and more accessible prices, have meant that armor is no longer considered an option for public figures and threatening people, and is instead a protection alternative for more citizens.
“Colombia is a country that demands permanent protection both for public persons and for entrepreneurs in general who consider that they run some kind of risk and that is why we work here all the time to improve security processes and especially the armoring of vehicles that need it”, says Paola Valderrama Jaimes, director of Neostar Seguridad de Colombia.
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This is the most important company to date in the sector, which went from invoice 31 billion pesos in 2017, more than 60 billion in 2018, and close to 90 billion in 2021.
However, there are those who consider that shielding causes a loss of vehicle functionality, increased fuel consumption and frequent brake and suspension wear.
