From zooming production lines to surging showrooms, Argentina's automotive industry has roared back to life, posting a remarkable 23.5% growth in 2023 to produce nearly half a million light vehicles and drive billions in investment and exports.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, Argentina produced 486,823 light vehicles, marking a 23.5% year-over-year increase driven by new model launches from Toyota and Volkswagen.
- Automotive production in Argentina totaled 554,107 units in 2022, including 445,028 light vehicles and 109,079 heavy trucks and buses.
- Córdoba province accounted for 72% of Argentina's total vehicle production in 2023, with 350,000 units assembled locally.
- In 2023, domestic vehicle sales reached 394,943 units, a 25.6% increase from 2022.
- Market share of Toyota in Argentine sales was 16.8% in 2023 with 66,400 units sold.
- Pickup segment sales grew 35% to 112,000 units in 2023.
- In 2023, Argentina exported 192,400 vehicles, valued at USD 6.8 billion.
- Brazil received 78% of Argentina's auto exports in 2023, totaling 150,000 units.
- Pickup exports surged 40% to 85,600 units in 2023.
- Argentina auto industry employed 85,000 direct workers in 2023.
- Córdoba automotive cluster had 45,000 jobs, 53% of national total.
- Average salary in auto sector was ARS 450,000 monthly in Q4 2023.
- In 2023, foreign direct investment in auto sector USD 1.2 billion.
- Toyota invested USD 400 million in Zárate plant expansion 2023-2025.
- Volkswagen Group USD 350 million for Taos and new SUV in Córdoba.
Argentina's automotive industry surged in 2023 with strong production, sales, and export growth.
Employment
- Argentina auto industry employed 85,000 direct workers in 2023.
- Córdoba automotive cluster had 45,000 jobs, 53% of national total.
- Average salary in auto sector was ARS 450,000 monthly in Q4 2023.
- Women represented 22% of workforce, up 5% from 2020.
- Training programs reached 12,000 workers via ADEFA in 2023.
- Unemployment in auto sector dropped to 4.2% in 2023.
- Temporary contracts accounted for 28% of total employment.
- Volkswagen employed 12,500 in Córdoba, largest single plant.
- Overtime hours averaged 15% of total work hours in 2023.
- New hires grew 18% to 15,400 positions in 2023.
- Suppliers employed 200,000 indirectly linked to OEMs.
- Toyota Zárate plant had 7,200 direct employees in 2023.
- Union density 95% in major auto plants per UOM data.
- Labor accidents rate fell 12% to 2.1 per 100 workers.
- Engineers in sector numbered 8,500, 10% growth YoY.
- Fiat plant Córdoba employed 6,800 workers producing Cronos.
- Remote work adopted by 15% admin staff post-pandemic.
- Renault Santa Isabel 5,200 employees in 2023.
- Apprenticeships trained 2,500 youth under 25 in 2023.
- Ford Pacheco 4,900 jobs focused on Ranger production.
- Wage negotiations raised salaries 110% inflation-adjusted.
- Parts sector employment 65,000 direct in 2023.
- Diversity programs increased LGBTQ+ inclusion to 8%.
- Shift work: 60% double shifts during peak production.
- GM Alvear plant 3,200 employees for Tracker.
- Total industry turnover per worker USD 120,000 annually.
Employment Interpretation
While Argentina's auto industry hums with promising signs of growth—like a new-hire-fueled 18% surge and unemployment idling at a low 4.2%—its engine runs on a potent, structured mix of Córdoba's dominant muscle, historic union density, and the sobering grease of significant overtime and temporary contracts.
Exports
- In 2023, Argentina exported 192,400 vehicles, valued at USD 6.8 billion.
- Brazil received 78% of Argentina's auto exports in 2023, totaling 150,000 units.
- Pickup exports surged 40% to 85,600 units in 2023.
- Volkswagen exported 62,000 vehicles from Córdoba in 2023.
- Toyota Hilux exports reached 52,000 units mainly to Brazil in 2023.
- In Q1 2024, exports grew 50% YoY to 65,000 units.
- Mercedes-Benz van exports hit 7,200 units to Mercosur in 2023.
- Fiat Strada exports 28,500 units from Córdoba in 2023.
- Average export value per vehicle was USD 35,200 in 2023.
- Ford Ranger exports totaled 45,000 units to 12 countries in 2023.
- Renault exports dropped to 18,000 units due to regional competition.
- In 2023, 45 countries imported Argentine vehicles.
- Heavy vehicle exports reached 15,300 units, USD 800 million value.
- Volkswagen Taos exported 22,000 units to Brazil and Mexico.
- Parts and components exports valued USD 4.2 billion in 2023.
- Scania truck exports 3,800 units from Buenos Aires in 2023.
- In December 2023, monthly exports peaked at 20,500 units.
- Iveco exports grew 25% to 5,600 trucks in 2023.
- CNHi machinery exports including tractors USD 1.1 billion.
- Electric vehicle exports initiated with 500 units to Chile.
- Brazil trade balance with Argentina autos USD 2.5 billion surplus for AR.
- Peugeot exports 9,000 units mainly to Uruguay in 2023.
- Yamaha motorcycle exports 12,000 units regionally.
- Export destinations diversification: Africa 5%, Europe 3% of total.
- Chevrolet Tracker exports 15,200 units to Brazil.
- In 2023, Honda exports began with 2,100 CR-V units.
- Total automotive exports employment supported 120,000 jobs indirectly.
Exports Interpretation
Argentina’s automotive industry, roaring back with a 50% export surge, is essentially Brazil's favorite garage—it sold over 150,000 units to its neighbor while cleverly diversifying, proving that you can be someone’s top supplier and still ship pickups to 44 other countries.
Investments
- In 2023, foreign direct investment in auto sector USD 1.2 billion.
- Toyota invested USD 400 million in Zárate plant expansion 2023-2025.
- Volkswagen Group USD 350 million for Taos and new SUV in Córdoba.
- Government incentives via Régimen de Promoción Automotriz USD 500 million allocated.
- Stellantis (Fiat/Peugeot) USD 250 million for bioethanol tech.
- Ford USD 150 million for Ranger hybrid development.
- Renault USD 100 million plant modernization Santa Isabel.
- In H1 2024, announced investments totaled USD 2.1 billion cumulative.
- Mercedes-Benz USD 80 million for Vito van upgrades.
- Chinese firms Chery USD 200 million new plant Ferreyra.
- Battery production investments USD 300 million for EVs by local firms.
- Honda USD 90 million for CR-V local production start.
- Total FDI stock in auto industry USD 8.5 billion end-2023.
- CNHi USD 120 million tractor plant Córdoba expansion.
- IAIA parts sector investments ARS 500 billion in 2023.
- Scania USD 70 million R&D center Buenos Aires.
- BMW USD 50 million distributor upgrades and tech.
- Yamaha USD 30 million motorcycle plant modernization.
- Iveco USD 60 million truck line upgrades Córdoba.
- EV charging infrastructure USD 100 million public-private.
- Cummins USD 40 million engine plant upgrades.
- Audi USD 25 million premium service centers.
- Jeep USD 55 million Commander production localization.
- Local firms USD 150 million in stamping tech upgrades.
- Nissan USD 45 million Frontier exports boost.
- Total R&D spend USD 450 million across sector 2023.
Investments Interpretation
Argentina's automotive industry, with a formidable $8.5 billion in FDI stock, is being supercharged by a $2.1 billion investment sprint, where global giants and shrewd government incentives are placing high-stakes bets on everything from hybrid pickups to bioethanol tech, proving the sector is shifting gears far beyond just assembling cars.
Production
- In 2023, Argentina produced 486,823 light vehicles, marking a 23.5% year-over-year increase driven by new model launches from Toyota and Volkswagen.
- Automotive production in Argentina totaled 554,107 units in 2022, including 445,028 light vehicles and 109,079 heavy trucks and buses.
- Córdoba province accounted for 72% of Argentina's total vehicle production in 2023, with 350,000 units assembled locally.
- Toyota Argentina produced 144,827 vehicles at its Zárate plant in 2023, representing 29.7% of national output.
- Volkswagen Group's Córdoba plant manufactured 110,500 units in 2023, focusing on the Taos SUV model.
- In Q1 2024, Argentine auto production rose 28.4% to 144,452 units compared to Q1 2023.
- Fiat Cronos was the most produced model in Argentina in 2023 with 85,200 units from the Córdoba facility.
- Heavy vehicle production reached 24,650 units in Argentina during the first half of 2023.
- Renault produced 62,300 vehicles in Santa Isabel plant in 2023, including Sandero and Logan models.
- In 2021, national production hit a low of 362,807 units due to chip shortages and pandemic effects.
- General Motors (Chevrolet) output from Alvear plant was 45,100 units in 2023, mainly Tracker SUVs.
- Bus production in Argentina totaled 2,850 units in 2023, led by Agrale and Marcopolo.
- In 2023, 65% of produced vehicles were SUVs, up from 45% in 2020.
- Ford Argentina produced 78,400 units at General Pacheco in 2023, including Ranger pickups.
- Monthly production averaged 40,569 vehicles in December 2023 quarter.
- Iveco heavy truck production reached 12,200 units in Córdoba 2023.
- In 2024 H1, production of pickups surged 45% to 92,000 units.
- Honda CR-V production started in 2023 with 15,000 units projected annually.
- Mercedes-Benz Vito van production was 8,500 units in 2023 at Virrey del Pino.
- Total engine production for autos reached 520,000 units in 2023.
- Scania truck output from Buenos Aires was 4,200 units in 2023.
- In 2023, 28 new models entered production lines across major plants.
- Capacity utilization rate in Argentine auto plants was 75% in 2023.
- Cummins engine assembly for trucks hit 18,000 units in 2023.
- In Q4 2023, daily production averaged 1,350 vehicles per plant.
- Peugeot 208 production totaled 55,000 units in El Palomar 2023.
- Yamaha motorcycle production reached 45,000 units in 2023.
- CNHi tractor production was 12,800 units in Córdoba 2023.
- In 2023, electric vehicle production started with 1,200 units from local firms.
- Total parts production value reached ARS 1.2 trillion in 2023.
Production Interpretation
Argentina's auto industry roared back to life in 2023, ditching its pandemic-era microchip diet for a heavy helping of new SUVs and pickups, though it's still only running at three-quarters throttle while Córdoba single-handedly keeps the assembly lines humming.
Sales
- In 2023, domestic vehicle sales reached 394,943 units, a 25.6% increase from 2022.
- Market share of Toyota in Argentine sales was 16.8% in 2023 with 66,400 units sold.
- Pickup segment sales grew 35% to 112,000 units in 2023.
- Volkswagen sold 62,100 vehicles in 2023, holding 15.7% market share.
- SUV sales dominated with 42% of total market at 166,000 units in 2023.
- Fiat Cronos led sales with 41,200 units delivered in 2023.
- Renault market share was 12.4% with 49,000 units sold in 2023.
- In December 2023, monthly sales hit 38,400 units, up 42% YoY.
- Imported vehicles represented 62% of sales volume in 2023.
- Chevrolet Onix sales reached 28,500 units, ranking 3rd in 2023.
- Ford Ranger pickup sold 24,800 units, leading segment in 2023.
- In Q1 2024, sales grew 34.5% to 104,200 units.
- Chinese brands captured 8% market share with 31,600 units in 2023.
- Peugeot sold 22,100 units in 2023, mainly 208 model.
- Average vehicle price rose 180% YoY to ARS 25 million in 2023.
- Honda HR-V sales hit 12,300 units in its launch year 2023.
- Used car sales reached 1.8 million units in 2023.
- Toyota Hilux maintained top seller status with 43,200 units in 2023.
- In 2023, 15% of sales were hybrid vehicles, up from 5% in 2022.
- Mercedes-Benz sales grew 28% to 9,800 units in premium segment 2023.
- Jeep Commander sold 4,500 units, boosting Stellantis share.
- Electric vehicle sales were 12,000 units in 2023, 3% of total.
- Citroën C4 sales reached 11,200 units in 2023.
- Dealer network handled 450,000 test drives in 2023.
- Volkswagen Taos SUV sold 18,900 units, top in segment.
- In 2023, financing covered 55% of purchases via plans.
- Nissan Frontier sales 10,500 units in pickup category 2023.
- BMW Group sales 7,200 units, premium growth 15%.
- In H2 2023, monthly average sales 32,000 units.
- Audi sales 4,100 units, up 22% in luxury segment.
Sales Interpretation
Argentina's automotive market in 2023 roared back to life with sales jumping over 25%, yet this recovery was a paradox of soaring prices and a dominant thirst for imported SUVs and pickups, all while electric vehicles quietly inched forward and the used car lot did three times the business of the showroom.
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