After growing by 8% in 12 months, the first Chinese auto show outside of China was established and has been a huge success.
12/10/2026 11:30
Updated to
12/10/2026 11:30
It’s no secret that Chinese brands are on their way to dominating the automotive industry both locally and globally. In just five years, the market has changed so much that companies like Chery, BYD, Geely, and XPeng have become commonplace. Europe is filled with Chinese cars while European manufacturers are seeing a decline in their share in Asia. This transformation is happening on a worldwide scale, though some regions seem more ready for it than others.
The first auto show dedicated to Chinese brands, held in the Argentine city of Buenos Aires, reflects the shift in the market since President Javier Milei took control of the country. Unlike the protectionism practiced in countries and regions such as the United States or Europe, Argentina has fully opened its doors to the Chinese market. Current laws allow for the import of up to 50,000 electric and hybrid vehicles duty-free through 2026.
BYD, the ninth best-selling brand in less than a year
The results are evident in the numbers. In August, Chinese brands accounted for 10% of sales of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in Argentina, up from around 2% at the end of last year. This rapid increase in just a few months explains the excitement surrounding this auto show and the concern it has raised among local manufacturers.
The most notable example is BYD. Since it began selling in Argentina at the end of 2025, it has become the ninth-best-selling brand in the country. Additionally, the company leads in electric vehicle sales in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Uruguay, indicating its growing presence throughout the region. In Brazil, Geely and Renault have formed an alliance worth 900 million euros to try to counter BYD’s progress.
Over 20 Chinese brands and local responses
The event brought together more than 20 Chinese brands, including Geely, Chery, GWM, and Dongfeng. Attendees like German Molina, a 3D designer, who already owns a Chinese car and wants to buy another, summarized what they see on the streets: "If you go to the main avenues or residential areas, you see a large number of Chinese cars, and it’s not just one brand, but many different ones."
Sebastián Beato, president of the ACARA dealers association, described the growth of Chinese brands as “impressive” and explained that it has prompted the domestic industry to develop new models, such as the Renault Niagara pickup introduced in September. His warning is clear: if Argentina’s automotive industry does not transform, “it will end up with obsolete cars.” Regarding buyers, he added, “I think it’s only a matter of time before they start to accept them a bit more.”
Fernando Rodríguez Canedo, executive director of the automobile manufacturers association, praised Milei’s gradual reduction of export taxes. The industry is also pressing provincial governments to lower local taxes, another factor affecting the competitiveness of cars manufactured in Argentina compared to imported ones.
Toyota responds with a $1.34 billion investment
Traditional automakers are also making moves. This same week, the Argentine government announced that Toyota will invest $1.34 billion to build an electric vehicle plant in the country. Meanwhile, Chinese manufacturers continue to expand across Latin America, selling both conventional and electric cars at a pace that has alarmed some local markets. The Chinese rise is not limited to South America. In just a few days, the Paris Motor Show will take place, one of the continent’s most prominent automotive events. The exhibition will feature a strong presence of Chinese brands, which will generate plenty of discussion with their wide range of new models and exclusives.
Source: Reuters