Although 2025 will see a milder second half of the year with demand affected by price fluctuations, Automotive companies operating in Argentina confirm that the industry is going through a process of normalization This will allow us to close the year with numbers that are in line with expectations and the project 2026 of growtheven with a more competitive market.
The vision was revealed in Leaders meetingThe event organized by El Cronista and Apertura magazine took place on Wednesday. The day it was opened by the Minister of Economy Louis Caputo That would be tantamount to shutting down the president Javier Miley.
Pablo SibyllaPresident and CEO of Renault Argentina noted: “This will be a good year for the sector. The continuation of this dynamism in 2026 is essential for all players in the industry.” He stressed that the financial improvements promoted by the government are crucial for… Sector exports: “More than half of the cars we produce are exported. We must continue to work on competitiveness.”.
In this sense he announced it They expect growth between 5% and 7%. For next year an estimated volume of 620,000 units with growth potential. In fact, the French carmaker faced one of its most important industrial investments in Argentina. With exchange 350 million US dollars to Half-ton pickup production in the countryRumbo is preparing for a new chapter in his life Santa Isabel factory.
For her part, Raoul ParsisatPresident and CEO of Mercedes Benz trucks and busesHe said: “It gives a lot of hope for planning for 2026, as Minister (Luis Caputo) said, with growth for next year, taking into account everything that has been achieved: Macroeconomic foundations, financial balance, and talk about growth above 4 percentDriven by investments and support from the United States.” He expected this The brand expects 10-15% growth in a market of 20,000 units. “We see it powered by three engines: Agriculture, Vaca Muerta and Mining. We will start the year with production in a new home and with expectations for Argentina to become more solid.
The company has begun moving its operations to a new industrial center in Zarate, a project that represents a Total investments are 110 million US dollars It plans to start its work in February next year.
Meanwhile, Ricardo FlaminiPresident and CEO of April For Argentina, Chile and Peru, it was analyzed Changing industry cycle. “Our industry was the biggest winner. Three years ago we were the biggest losers. The recovery is obvious. There is still a lot to be done for this growth to be consistent and reach 700,000 patents per year, but we are optimistic, and in this new landscape, the biggest beneficiary is the consumer.”
For her part, Ivana DibCEO of the company BMW Group Argentina, He stressed the normalization of the regulatory context. He added: “What the government did during these two years of administration generates a lot of credibility for us. With the parent company, it is important to show gradual improvements. First it was possible to import, then the internal tax was reduced and next year they will be able to issue dividends. This shows that what is said is done, and it is not always easy to find that.”
But the second half of the year showed Brakes on the pace of sales. Parsisat explained that Mercedes-Benz began 2025 with strong expansion and growth exceeding 60 percent. “However, when political noise, uncertainty about the exchange rate and exchange rates emerge, braking occurs. We will end this year with growth of about 50%But not as quickly as in the first semester, he said.
He pointed out Financing weight In the truck and bus sector: “In any country in the world, 99% is purchased with financing; in Argentina it is 65%. We need to finalize the price adjustment.”
Sibilla described a similar trend for the automobile market: Renault expects to end 2025 with growth of 70% compared to the previous yearthe projection will finally be around 50%. As he explained, volatility in the second half – especially due to the impact of prices – slowed the pace of sales and November became the first month in which it was lower than the same period in 2024.
But in the luxury segment, the dynamics were different. Deeb pointed out that although this group is particularly sensitive in times of crisis, it is also one of the first groups to recover. This year, premiums rose above the overall market and BMW achieved higher growth than the segment. The brand plans to double its sales compared to last yeardriven by a more predictable context, the reduction of internal taxes and the possibility of delivering their full scope again.
“Even two years ago, we had half the range we were offering, and now we have the full range. X3 It was launched in Argentina before in neighboring countries, and M2 “He is back after eight years of absence,” the CEO stressed.
Executives also evaluated the impact New duty-free import quotasvalued at USD 16,000 FOB per unit, and presence New players in this sector.
In the case of Renault, Sibilla highlighted that the quota would allow entry Arcana is a mild hybrid He appreciated that the plan aims for a gradual and controlled opening. “The goal of the quotas was not to repeat the mistake of Brazil, which opened randomly and allowed the Chinese invasion. The goal is to open up with control. This is a very positive measure,” he said.
For his part, Dib pointed out that BMW was the only luxury automaker to reach the quota and that this made the arrival of the X1 possible.. He also considered that moving towards different tariff bands would expand the participation of more players.
Flamini agreed with the view that increased competition is positive for the market, and stressed that Argentina still lags behind other countries in the region in terms of openness and diversity of offers.
In this sense, The first agreed that Chinese brands could reach 10% of the Argentine market next yearThis is a level similar to that of Brazil.