Argentina May 2014: Fiat Palio leads in market down 39%

The Fiat Palio is #1 in Argentina for the first time this month…

* See the Top 190 All-models and Top 33 All-brands by clicking on the title! *

The combined effect of a tax hike on imported models put in place on January 1 and the devaluation of the local currency is sending the Argentinean new car market to hell: down 39% year-on-year in May to 55,931 registrations. This brings the year-to-date total to 326,239 units, down 23% on 2013. Gone are the days where Argentinean consumers bought more cars than ever before (the market reached an all-time high of 955,000 sales in 2013). The consequence of this free fall is a mess in both brands and models rankings. Ford is the most popular carmaker in the country this month and for the first time since BSCB started following Argentinean sales with 15% share ahead of Fiat (14.8%), Volkswagen (14.1%), Chevrolet (12.6%) and Renault (12.5%). Year-to-date, Volkswagen is ahead (15.7%) above Renault (13.5%), Ford (12.8%) and Fiat (12.6%).

…while Ford dominates the brands ranking  for the first time as well.

It’s also a first in the models ranking with the Fiat Palio up 8 spots on April and 15 on March to take the lead thanks to 2,812 sales and 5%, however it is still only #10 year-to-date. The Chevrolet Classic,  #1 for 4 years in a row up to 2013, is up one further spot to #2 at 2,750 units and 4.9% and is now back inside the 2014 Top 10 at #6. Still leader so far in 2014, the VW Gol Trend is down 2 ranks on April to #3 with 2,414 sales and 4.3%, just above the Toyota Hilux at 2,410 units. The Hilux remains #2 year-to-date. Other great performers in Argentina this month include the Ford Focus up to #6, Ford Ranger up to #10 vs. #18 year-to-date, Toyota Corolla up 14 spots on last month to #12 and the Chevrolet Prisma up 20 to #22.

Previous month: Argentina April 2014: VW Gol Trend consolidates leadership

One year ago: Argentina May 2013: Peugeot 207 Compact and Ford Ecosport on top

Full May 2014 Top 190 All-models and Top 33 All-brands Ranking Tables below.