Argentina June 2018: Fiat Argo posts first pole position, market hits brakes

First monthly win in the world for the Fiat Argo.

* See the Top 47 All-brands and Top 230 All-models by clicking on the title *

The precarious economic situation, rising inflation and the 55% devaluation of the local currency, the peso, have finally caught up with new car sales in Argentina: after 12 continuous months of double-digit year-on-year gains were halted last month with a 9.4% uplift, the market registers its first YoY drop in exactly two years – since June 2016 – and it’s a painful one at -15.8% to 64.140 units. The YTD tally remains however in frank positive territory for now at +12.2% to a record 495.619, but hopes for a new annual record may prove hard to reach. Worryingly, the Top 3 best-selling brands all fall faster than the market with Volkswagen (-16%), Chevrolet (-21%) and Renault (-22%) composing the podium. Fiat (-3%) and Toyota (-8%) fare much better just below while Ford (-25%) and Peugeot (-17%) sink. The tail end of the Top 10 sees hefty gains by Nissan (+53%) and Jeep (+52%) with Citroen (+4%) also managing a year-on-year gain, albeit much more discreet. Below, Dongfeng (+2967%), Suzuki (+217%), Geely (+113%), Subaru (+26%) and Chery (+16%) impress with Chinese carmakers surging 38% as a whole to 1.4% share vs. 1.1% (+39%) so far in 2018.

There’s a big surprise atop the Argentinean models ranking this month: only one month after breaking into the Top 10 for the first time, the Fiat Argo signs its first pole position in the world, and by a large margin with over 4.000 sales and 4.9% share for June vs. under 3.000 and 3.5% for the #2, the Chevrolet Prisma (+21%). The Argo is manufactured in Betim in Brazil but has only managed to peak at #8 there, both in December 2017 and January 2018. The Toyota Etios (-1%) limits its fall and manages to increase its advantage over the Toyota Hilux to 805 units, potentially headed towards its first annual win in the world. Notice also the VW Polo up 7-fold on June 2017 thanks to the new generation and the Renault Kwid down two spots on May to a still very satisfying 12th place.

Previous month: Argentina May 2018: Toyota Etios best-seller in market up 9.4%

One year ago: Argentina June 2017: Renault Sandero best-seller for the first time

Full June 2018 Top 47 All-brands and Top 230 All-models below.