the projection of businessman Manuel Antelo

The businessman, who just announced $200 million in investments after more than two decades away from the country, believes the country is on the right track

12/29/2025 – 7:35 p.m

After more than 20 years outside the countryafter the 2002 crisis, the businessman Manuel Antelo returned to Argentina and announced Investments of $200 millionthe of Automotive sector even the sports brand Decathlon.

In this regard, he highlighted the performance of the first store opened: “In the first month of opening, the store in Argentina was the one that sold the most in the world. It is only 2,700 square meters and we compete with stores with more than 10,000, but we are still the leader in the number of products sold.” With this in mind, he awaited the arrival of new brands on the land, including JYSKthe Danish home retailer known as “Scandinavian IKEA“.

International orientation and regional presence

Although Antelo never completely separated from Argentina, he maintained the company during the years of the Kirchner administration Car onespecializes in marketing used cars with a guarantee. It was during this time that he first settled down Spainwhere he created it second logistics company in Europewith more than 6,500 employees and then I settled in Uruguaywhere he opened another Car One and promoted a number of activities retail until Property.

About this country he remarked: “Uruguay is a great country. There is political stability, there is no aggressiveness, the union members and judges are rich, the institutions are solid and private capital is respected.” Antelo’s word usually has an impact on the business world. He was the Argentine who bought it Renault license when the French automaker decided to withdraw from the country in the midst of hyperinflation and then, at the best moment of convertibility, sold it back to the same company for a sum of millions.

CIADEA picked up the French brand took first place in sales in Argentina in the 90sand shaped the pulse of the automotive industry until its exit from the manufacturing industry. Around they usually define it with a popular phrase: “Smoke under water”.

Manuel Antelo’s vision of Javier Milei’s government

As part of a series of lectures organized by the magazine Forbes in Punta del Este, the director of the publication, Alex Milberginterviewed Antelo. There the businessman spoke about various topics, from Automotive market until policy. In this context he described “Wonder” the appearance of Javier Mileiunlike the moment he decided to leave Argentina because of how he felt “hopeless”. To declare his support for the current president, he stated: “The freest countries are those with the best quality of life“.

Antelo explained that his decision to return came after Milei’s victory because “People changed and realized that the previous model was disastrous“. Regarding the future of the country, he expressed himself categorically: “I am convinced that if Argentina follows this model, it will be a rich country in a short time.“. He also claimed that Argentine businessmen “not all“,”They are part of the problem“, and that during the ongoing process Companies will disappearalthough more are being created. In this sense, he expected that “All the companies that left Argentina will want to return“.

The businessman also referred to the Chinese carsa segment in which it represents some 14 brands between Argentina and Uruguay. He explained that the vehicles of this origin are “unusual” because they are better and cheaper. “In recent years, European brands have switched to electric models, and in this area The Chinese are much more advanced. That’s where they start to gain ground,” Antelo explained, according to the website Arodar.

To his business in Europe, Uruguay and ArgentinaHe Antelo Group bill more than $3 billion per year. Regarding his approach to business, he emphasized that confrontation does not lead to good results: “Empathy is key. If you can’t understand others, it doesn’t work. Everything is belief“.