After ending 2025 with car sales up – up 48% compared to 2024 – the market is preparing for a 12 months of activity and strong competition.
It is expected that in the new year the Improving vehicle supply due to a greater weight of the imported 0km.
Part of this new reality – after four years of import restrictions – was seen in the final months of the year just ended.
Automobile companies based in the country increased their imports significantly. Until the end of 2023 70% of the 0 km that were sold were production national. With the arrival of Javier Milei and the change in the economic model, this relationship changed. Already in the last months of 2025 The share of imported cars exceeded those manufactured in the country. Currently more than 60% of 0 km sold come from abroad.
More imported cars and market changes
A strong boost came from the government’s move to abolish the 35 percent import duty for hybrid or electric vehicles in the extra zone.
A quota of 50,000 units per year was set. The first installment of this volume has until January 31st for the 0km to arrive in the country. The second batch of another 50,000 units corresponding to 2026 has already been tendered and will be imported from February. Most of these models are of Chinese origin.
For the consumer, increasing competition meant significant discounts on transaction value. In some cases, bonuses reached 20% of the list price, which was adjusted from month to month. The losers were those who subscribed to savings plans, which in most cases had to pay higher rates.
Based on the prices proposed by the terminals, the The average increase at 0 km was about 37% in 2025, something above inflation. In the second half of the year the Average monthly increases approached 4% and in August they had reached 7 percent.
How much did the number of cars increase in January 2026?
For the coming year, expectations are better because, as recognized in the industry, the The increases would have to be more moderate.
On the one hand, increasing competition does not allow excessive increases, given a consumer who has numerous options to choose from.
There are also problems related to this Macroeconomics. By 2026, a year with a declining inflation rate and a stable exchange rate is expected. If these two variables are confirmed, the increases in 0km are likely to be lower than in 2025.
On this first working day of the year, some brands are already informing their retailers about the January increases and are following this line. It is unlikely that the expectation that cars will grow like any other economic asset with inflation potentially exceeding 20% will increase. What could happen in this context is the following Increase less than 2025.
For example, Toyota – the leading automobile manufacturer in sales – told its network a Price adjustment of an average of 2.1%. The Hiace commercial vehicle increases by 1.5%, the Hilux and the SW4 increase 1.7%while Corolla Cross, Corolla and Yaris increased by 2.5 percent.
On the other hand, Stellantis – the largest automobile company – sent out lists Increases of 0.8% for the Peugeot brand, 1.2% for Jeep, RAM and Citroën; and 1.6% for Fiat. Taking into account the weight of this car manufacturer in the market, it is confirmed that the tendency of companies is to moderate the increases at an advanced stage iProfessional.
General Motors also sent the list to its network. The Trailblazer up 1%, Onix, Onix Plus and Tracker are up 2% and Montana is up 2.5%. The rest of the range has no increases.
Also ford officially announced its trade policy for January with an average of 1% increase. Transit and Bronco Sport saw no increase. The Ranger rose 0.5%Everest and Maverick rose 1 percent and Territory rose 2.1 percent.
On the other hand, Honda has decided to maintain existing prices for January in December and his list had no changes.
As the hours pass, other automakers’ increases become known.
About The Author
