The automotive industry in Argentina is the third largest in Latin America, driving 3% of GDP, 10% of total industrial production, and 10% of total exports in 2023.[1] With a dozen global multinationals[2] and over 200 auto parts[3] companies operating in the country, Argentina's automotive sector is a sophisticated and technologically advanced industry. Argentina has emerged as a regional production hub in Latin America, exporting over USD $8 billion annually[4] in passenger vehicles, light and heavy commercial vehicles, trucks, motorcycles, and parts primarily to Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Central America.[5]
Motor vehicle and auto parts manufacturers are major employers in a country that has struggled to create registered private sector employment. In 2023, over 25,000 Argentines were employed by motor vehicle manufacturers [6] and an additional 48,000 were employed by auto parts companies.[2]
Two major industrial associations represent Argentine automotive manufacturers. The Asociación de Fábricas de Automotores (ADEFA) was founded in 1961 to represent motor vehicle manufacturers[7] and is a member of the International Automobile Manufacturers Association (OICA) based in Paris. Auto parts manufacturers are represented by the Asociación de Fábricas Argentinas de Componentes (AFAC), which was founded in 1939.[8]
In addition to multinational automakers, several Argentine-owned auto manufacturers operate in the country, including Materfer,[9] ТАТ SA,[10] Helvetica,[11] Crespi, and PurSang,[12] primarily as producers of replicas of classic cars.