Brazilian cars are a hit in Argentina, but Argentineans sell little in Brazil

Of the top ten automobiles and light commercial vehicles in Argentina in the first half, eight models are manufactured in Brazil and only two of national origin. In Brazil, there are no Argentine cars among the twenty most patented between January and June.

On the local market, the best-performing cars of the year are: Toyota Etios, Toyota Hilux, Chevrolet Onix, Ford Ka, Chevrolet Prism, Volkswagen Gol, Peugeot 208, Renault Sandero, Fiat Argo and Renault Kwid . All arrive imported from Brazil except Hilux and Sandero.

On the other side of the border, consumers choose Brazilian cars . The Onix, the Hyundai HB20 (this is a compact sedan that is not sold in Argentina), the Ka, the Polo and the Gol are the most popular models, among the fifteen vehicles manufactured in Brazil which make up the top twenty.

Looking at the list of the best-selling cars in Brazil, we have to go down to the twenty-second position to find an Argentina. This is the Toyota Hilux pickup, the most successful national model in this country thanks to 17,442 patents.

In thirty-fifth place appears the Fiat Cronos, the second best-selling Argentine car in Brazil. In the first half of this model, 11,185 units were patented in the neighboring country.

Since the abandonment of Argentine models such as Chevrolet Clbadic, Fiat Palio, Peugeot 207 and Renault Clio Mio, all with "affordable" prices, Brazilian cars have gained power in patents ].

The automotive industry in Argentina focuses on the middle segment . Currently, models such as Focus, Cruze, 308/408 and C4 Lounge are manufactured in the country, while small cars (where they are cheaper) come mainly from the other side of the border.

"We invested in Argentina thinking that we would sell Brazil for four but today we have one and a half or two," TN Autos told a senior manager of 39, a brand with a lot of history in the country.

The agreed objective between the automobile, sectoral unions and the government is to reach one million Argentine cars manufactured annually by 2023. For this, it It is essential that demand increases in Brazilian dealers. Can the national industry reach that number with the type of vehicles that it produces?

Sources: Acara and Fenabrave.