The sale of km 0 cars began in 2023 at full capacity. After a rosy January that recorded year-on-year growth of 15% and 154% compared to December 2022, February’s numbers also closed higher.
The Association of Automobile Dealers of the Argentine Republic (ACARA) reported that the number of registrations last month totaled 30,121 units, an increase of 3.5% from February 2022, when 29,103 vehicles were registered.
In this way, 80,486 units were patented in the first two months, 10.8% more than in the same period of 2022 (72,609 vehicles).
Good start but missing
Despite the good start, the industry has recognized that supply is still in short supply and that if there had been more options available the outcome would have been even better.
In this regard, the president of ACARA, Ricardo Salomé commented: “February marks a beginning of the year with an acceptable two-month period, with figures similar to last year’s and growing, even if we continue to face the problem of the lack of a complete offer , due to global problems and local constraints”.
Salomé added that “as the year progresses and the liquidation of foreign exchange can be accelerated, the release of vehicles and parts will increase, something that has become essential to accompany this growing demand but which quickly finds limits”.
From ACARA they anticipate that the 420,000 units estimated for this year could only be a plan.
“The recent easing of the agreement with the IMF will also help to continue stabilizing the macroeconomy. Historically, when economic activity improves, our sector is a central player,” concluded Salomé.
Brand sales volume once again saw Toyota as the star of the month, with 5,931 patents (42.6% less than January’s 10,341 sales).
In second place, as in January, Fiat with 4,574 vehicles registered, but also with a considerably lower volume (41.9%) than the 7,868 units sold in January.
The third step of the podium had a change compared to January: Peugeot (3,323 units) ousted VW in fourth place (3,260 units), even if in the cumulative the German brand continues to hold third place (9,370) behind Toyota ( 16.272) and Fiat (12442).
In terms of models, the Fiat Cronos continued at its unstoppable pace, winning almost double the number of patents compared to the Peugeot 208, its immediate successor.
At the same time, as happened for the brands, in February there was also the change of third place on the podium, given that the Toyota Hilux returned to being the best-selling pick-up after being overtaken in January by the Volkswagen Amarok.
Next, these were the top 10 best-selling models for the month of February:
1- Fiat Crono: 4,021 units
2-Peugeot 208: 2,888 units
3-Toyota Hilux: 1,880 units
4-Toyota Etios: 1,796 units
5-Volkswagen Amarok: 1,623 units
6- Ford Ranger: 1,521 units
7-Renault Kangoo II: 1,238 units
8- Chevrolet tracker: 811 units
9- Toyota Corolla cross: 697 units
10-VolkswagenTaos: 696 units
Source: Clarin
Ben Stock is a journalist working for News Rebeat, where he covers the automobile section. With a passion for cars and the industry, Ben brings insightful and in-depth reporting to his readers.
