Argentina’s automotive industry is in intensive care. According to the latest report from the Association of Automobile Manufacturers (Adefa), vehicle production in June was 37,029 units, 1.9% less than in May and 13.6% below the same month last year. The first-half cumulative figure is even more worrying: 204,658 units manufactured, a drop of 18.3% compared to the same period in 2025, when 250,478 vehicles were produced.
Exports are also not giving any respite. In June, 22,373 units were shipped abroad, 11.3% less than in May and 1.7% below June 2025. In the first half, exports totaled 126,893 vehicles, a decrease of 2.1% compared to 129,654 in the previous year. Brazil remains the main buyer, accounting for 65% of exports, followed by Central America, Peru, Chile, and Colombia.
Adefa President Rodrigo Pérez Graziano tried to downplay the disaster: «The local industry is operating with slower recovery times relative to demand.» But reality is stubborn: wholesale sales to dealers fell 23.7% in the first half, with 228,129 units, compared to 299,001 last year. In June, wholesale sales rebounded 22.5% from May, but they are still 26.3% below June 2025.
Pérez Graziano also highlighted the reduction in export duties published by the National Government, calling it «fundamental» to improve competitiveness. But he warned that «the support of provinces and municipalities in lowering the tax burden is needed to overcome structural challenges.»
In the domestic market, registrations are also not picking up. According to the Association of Automobile Dealers of the Argentine Republic (Acara), 45,995 units were registered in June, 12.8% less than in June 2025. In the first half, registrations reached 294,181 units, 9.9% below the 326,549 of the previous year. The only glimmer of hope is that, compared to May, sales grew 7.2%.
The automotive sector, which represents a significant part of industrial GDP, is showing signs of exhaustion. The drop in production and exports, coupled with the contraction of the domestic market, paints a bleak picture. Pérez Graziano was cautious: «Domestic demand shows signs of activation. However, the half-year volume remains in contractionary territory, estimating a recovery in the second half depending mainly on financing conditions.»
Meanwhile, workers in the sector and regional economies that depend on the automotive industry look to the future with uncertainty. The question hanging in the air is whether the promised recovery will arrive in time to prevent more plant closures and layoffs.
Para mí esto huele a la misma patronal de siempre festejando mientras los laburantes se funden. 18% menos de producción y 23% de caída en ventas, y ellos ni se inmutan. ¡Gorilas de mierda! Yo creo que es un plan para ajustar más a los trabajadores.
para mi esto pasa x los zurdos q manejan la economia se derrumba todo nos rompen el orto con impuestos y despues lloran viva la libertad carajo firmado el comandante