Argentina’s vehicle markets moved in opposite directions during September 2026, as 0 km car sales dropped compared to the previous year while used car transactions surged by 10% from August, according to official industry reports.
Financing Drives Used Car Recovery in September
The used vehicle market consolidated a strong monthly recovery during September 2026, driven by new loan offerings, lower interest rates, and downward price adjustments, elcordillerano.com.ar reported. The Chamber of Automotive Commerce (CCA) announced that 170,768 used units were commercialized during the month. That figure represents a 10% increase compared to August, when 155,246 vehicles changed hands. Alejandro Lamas, secretary of the CCA, explained to rionegro.com.ar that September marked the second-strongest ninth month in 31 years of statistical records. Despite this monthly improvement, the market saw a slight year-on-year decline of 0.35% compared to the 171,364 units sold in September 2025. In the first nine months of 2026, the sector reached 1,374,454 units sold, a 4.33% retraction from the 1,436,656 transfers recorded during the same period in 2025.
Neuquén and Río Negro Follow National Upward Trends
Provincial markets across Argentina largely mirrored the national rebound during September. Neuquén registered a 10.78% increase in used vehicle transfers compared to August, landing in eighth place nationwide, while Río Negro grew 8.61% to secure the thirteenth position, rionegro.com.ar reported. Across Argentine jurisdictions, nearly every region posted positive monthly gains, led by Santa Cruz with a 28.85% jump and Tierra del Fuego with a 15.11% rise. Despite the monthly upturn, cumulative figures for the first nine months of 2026 show lingering annual contractions across most regions, with Neuquén down 7.51% and Río Negro down 0.25% relative to the same period in 2025.
Financing Reshapes the New Vehicle Market
While used cars gained momentum, the market for brand-new vehicles presented a dual reality in September 2026, eleditorplatense.com reported. Dealerships sold fewer 0 km units than they did twelve months prior, yet September volume improved over August figures. Sebastián Beato, president of the Association of Automotive Concessionaires of the Argentine Republic (ACARA), stated that the market’s previous slowdown had halted and demonstrated a clear trend reversal. Financing served as the primary catalyst behind this shift. Automakers launched September campaigns featuring zero-interest rate options and fixed payment schedules. These promotional tools followed an August baseline where pledge loans accounted for 49.9% of all new vehicle registrations, meaning practically one out of every two new cars was purchased using financing. During the first eight months of 2026, the market accumulated 1,203,684 operations, a 4.87% decrease from the 1,265,292 vehicles recorded in the same period of 2025.
Imported Vehicles Dominate New Car Market
The new vehicle market is undergoing a structural shift, as Beato noted that imported vehicles now account for approximately 70% of available units, bolstered by commercial opening and the entry of new brands, particularly from Asia. In the brand rankings, Toyota led with 7,820 registrations, followed by Fiat (5,447), Volkswagen (5,321), Ford (4,997), and Chevrolet (4,069). The top ten was rounded out by Renault (3,629), Peugeot (2,433), Citroën (1,597), BYD (1,584), and Nissan (1,185).
Top Models Dominate Dealership Inventories
Consumer preferences for specific vehicle models remained relatively concentrated across both new and used categories during September. In the used sector, utility vehicles and economical models captured top spots, with the Volkswagen Gol and Trend leading nationwide at 9,291 units, followed by the Toyota Hilux at 6,443 units and the Volkswagen Amarok at 4,771 units, elcordillerano.com.ar reported. The list was completed by the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Corsa and Classic, Peugeot 208, Ford EcoSport, Toyota Corolla, Ford Ka, and Fiat Palio. Among individual 0 km models, the Toyota Hilux took first place with 3,036 patentments, ahead of the Ford Ranger (2,221), Ford Territory (1,975), Volkswagen Amarok (1,970), and Fiat Cronos (1,702).
Loans and Pricing Boost Used Car Sales
Why did used car sales increase in September 2026?
The CCA reported that used vehicle sales rose due to newly available loans, lower financing interest rates, and downward adjustments in vehicle pricing.
What challenges affect used car transfers in Argentina?
The CCA criticized the current transit infraction system, pointing out that traffic fines are tied to vehicle license plates rather than the owner’s National Identity Document, which creates administrative delays during ownership transfers. Lamas stated, We draw attention to the latter due to the inaccuracy of the system through which such infractions are reported and the way they are loaded into the chosen system.
How much did the new vehicle market rely on credit?
ACARA reported that pledge-based financing accounted for 49.9% of all new car registrations in August, establishing a high-credit baseline that carried forward into zero-interest promotional campaigns throughout September.