Surprises. How much are the best-selling cars worth in dollars and what differences are there with BrazilBy Pablo Ortega

After the inflationary escalation of 2023 and the beginning of this year, and even though a devaluation occurred in December, Argentine 0km cars measured in dollars were high in the historical comparison, with models that start at US$14,000 compared to the US$10,000/US$11,000 that they cost in other times. One way to contrast what level they are at is to see how much these same models are worth in Brazil, the main reference market for Argentina due to its society in Mercosur, without losing sight of the economic and tax differences that exist between both countries.

In 2023, Brazil will sell 2.179.363 0km, according to figures from Fenabrave, the dealer association of the neighboring country. The small pickup Fiat Stradahe Volkswagen Polohe Chevrolet Onixhe Hyundai HB20 (not sold in Argentina) and the Chevrolet Onix Plus They were the five best-selling models last year. Then, the Fiat Mobi (it no longer reaches the local market), the Volkswagen T-Cross, the Fiat Argo (no presence in the country), the Chevrolet Tracker and the Hyundai Creta.

The Peugeot 208 costs less in dollars in Brazil than in Argentina at this time

In Argentina, the three best-selling models in 2023 were the Fiat Cronos, the Peugeot 208 and the Toyota Hilux, which in Brazil appeared lower in the patenting ranking. The Cronos was the 14th vehicle on the list; the Toyota Hilux, 19th; and the Peugeot 208, 28th. All three arrive in Brazil imported from Argentina.

He Fiat Cronos In its entry-level version (Like), in February in the local market it has a list price of $19.100.000which measured at the blue dollar of $1095 (Tuesday the 20th) gives US$17.443 and US$21,655 to the officer. How much does it cost in Brazil? The Like entry version, but equipped with another engine (1.0), is sold in reais equivalent to US$18.179 (with an exchange rate of 4.95 reais per dollar). But there are other discounted versions with different equipment for US$16,716, according to the official prices on the Fiat site in the neighboring country.

In the case of Peugeot 208, local prices are higher than those in Brazil. Here the entry-level Like version with a 1.2-liter engine costs $18,900,000, about US$17.260 to the blue and US$21,428 to the official. The same entry model, but with a different engine (a 1.0), has a price equivalent to US$14.947 on the other side of the border, according to the automaker’s official list.

As in the case of the Cronos (both Stellantis brands), the entry-level 208 model is sold in Brazil with another engine. For comparison purposes, they are the lowest price at which both can be accessed in each country.

In the example of the Toyota Hiluxthe entry version with double cab (DX) and six-speed manual gearbox is published in Argentina at $32,306,000 in February, about US$29.503 to the blue (and US$36,628 to the official). In Brazil, the lowest version of the Hilux available is the STD Power Pack, with equipment differences and freight costs included but a much higher price measured in dollars: US$49.008.

HOW MUCH CARS PAY IN TAXES IN ARGENTINA, BRAZIL AND CHILE: A PRICE COMPARISON

After the jump in pesos caused by the December devaluation, plus the double-digit monthly increases to keep up with inflation, the 0km became more expensive in dollars than years ago. The cheapest car on the market in February, the Chevrolet Joy, costs $15,593,900, about US$14.241 to the blue. A year ago, in February 2023, it cost at the parallel exchange rate (which is what a potential buyer looks at to do the math) US$11,423, 30% less.

Despite current prices and the historical difference that exists, Some automakers warn that they were not able to completely transfer the impact of the devaluation to the models that matter.which would take the values ​​even higher.

The Chevrolet Onix is ​​the best-selling model of the American brand in Brazil

Returning to the comparison with Brazil, the Chevrolet Joy is no longer sold in the neighboring country. The brand’s first model is the Onix, which starts at US$17,404. In Argentina, this month, the entry version of the Onix according to the official price costs $16,019,900, or US$14.630 to the blue. In the official dollar, which is what automakers import, it is worth US$18,163.

How much is the cheapest car in Brazil today? It’s the Fiat Mobiwhich has a price of 72,000 reais, an equivalent of US$14.545. A level similar to what the cheapest one in Argentina costs measured in blue.

In other countries in the region with lower tax burdens and lower external import tariffs – it is worth remembering that in Argentina 54% of the price of a 0km that a client pays are taxes, as appropriately calculated by Adefa, the terminal association -, Entry-level cars cost significantly less in dollars. To take a close reference, in Chile, models like the Suzuki New Alto – the cheapest this month – are available from US$8,700.

Pablo Ortega

Themes

Cars 0km

Other news from Autos 0km

Debunking myths. The true function of “hairs” on tires

Irreversible trend. Automatic cars do not stop growing: how much time do manual transmission cars have left?

Brand by brand. Which cars do not now pay the luxury tax