As the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States approaches, scheduled for January 20, the Argentine President, Javier Milei, has been invited as a special guest. This event marks the beginning of a new relationship between the two nations, which could bring significant developments for the Argentine automotive industry. The Argentine President aims to establish a free trade agreement that would facilitate a much greater flow of imported vehicles compared to the current situation. Despite the current government’s unrestricted import policy, which was implemented just hours after taking office a year ago, the volume of imports remains low. This is largely due to the high cost of most vehicles, whether they are full-size SUVs, high-performance sports cars, or other expensive models. The market is quite niche. However, some mid-sized models manufactured in the United States have started to enter Argentina more robustly since 2024, after being nearly absent in recent years.
A significant challenge for these imports is the 35% tariff imposed on vehicles coming from outside the region, which, when combined with a 3% statistical fee, raises the total cost by 38% for vehicles shipped to Argentina. According to data from the Online Automotive Market Information System (Siomaa), the top-selling vehicle manufactured in the United States was the RAM 1500, which ranked 76th overall with 312 units sold, representing 21% of sales in 2023. The market is so specific that the second best-selling vehicle from the United States was the Ford F-150, which sold just over 310 units.
Following these, the Honda CR-V made its debut in Argentina, reaching a total of 227 units sold, which is a 10% decrease compared to previous figures, placing it at 82nd position. Another C-SUV from Michigan, the Kuga Hybrid, was the fourth model on the list, indicating an evolution in technology and emissions quality, with 128 units sold, marking a 20% increase, and placing it at 104th position.
In the D-SUV segment, the prestigious Jeep Grand Cherokee appeared in fifth place with 104 units sold, reflecting a 395% increase in 2023, after having faced significant import restrictions in the past. Nevertheless, it occupies the 115th position for 2024. Among the notable arrivals is the new Bronco Wild-Track V6, which launched in June and achieved 135 units sold, with 67 delivered. Following closely was another Ford model, the Mustang, which includes both V8 versions and the fully electric Mach-E, with 59 electric units sold, although there were delays in its launch.
The remaining vehicles imported were in limited quantities, with brands preparing for their launches. For instance, the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 is expected to enter the market in 2025, while the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is also anticipated, although these models are costly to import. The Toyota Tundra is expected to arrive, with prices being relatively low due to a 50% VAT exemption on luxury goods. For reference, the Laramie Night Edition is priced at USD 92,700, while the Rebel is at USD 95,700, with sales reaching 110,000 units. The Lariat Hybrid Tremor is priced at $102,831.300, and the Raptor at $125,682.700. General Motors has already released versions in December, with the more accessible Z71 Trail Boss priced at $80,990.900 and the High Country at $90,990.900. Other imports face additional statistical fees, which significantly increase the prices of even the most basic pickups.
The impact of these tariffs is substantial, with effective increases of 53.8% on prices. For example, the Wild Track has reached prices of up to $123,397.560, while the first C-SUV reaches $76,282.000. Other models in the same category range from $59,720.000 to $76,600.000, with hybrids priced at $73,500. If the United States were to implement similar policies as those in Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, it would allow North American imports to be taxed at 0%, which would significantly reduce costs.
