During 2020, sales of electrified cars, which includes hybrids and 100% electric cars, increased by almost 54% in the Argentine market compared to 2019.
And although it still represents a low number in terms of number of units (2,383) compared to other countries, it shows the trend that the transformation of the automotive industry follows.
But this transformation depends to a large extent on a state policy that accompanies and favors the development of technology. Japan, the United States and European countries have accompanied this evolution. This is proven by Norway, which in 2020 became the first nation to sell more electrified than combustion cars.
The Ford Kuga Hybrid arrived last year and 100 units have already been assigned for the first half of this year.
In our country, this impulse is given by the tariff improvements that companies receive to import those models that are more environmentally friendly.
These quotas are assigned by the Government through the Ministry of Productive Development, which has already determined what are the models that they will be able to enter the country with the tax benefit.
Any imported model that does not come from Brazil or Mexico, countries with which there is a free trade agreement, You must pay a 35% tariff import.
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is the model that will be able to import the most units with a reduced tariff in the first half of 2021.
In the case of hybrid vehicles, this rate is reduced to 5%, while to enter a 100% electric car the tariff drops to 2%.
Last year the electrified model in Argentina was the Toyota Corolla, but as this model comes from Brazil it is exempt from paying any tariff.
However, it is the Japanese brand that received the most permits to bring electrified vehicles for the first half of this year as published in the Official Gazette.
Audi e-tron, the 100% electric SUV that is already available on the local market.
Toyota Argentina received authorization to bring to the country a total of 280 units divided between the RAV4 Hybrid models (106 units) and C-HR (57) and the Lexus (Toyota’s luxury brand) UX250h (82), NX300h (25), RX450h (9) and GS450h (1).
The other that received a significant consignment was Ford, which was assigned a quota of 100 copies of the Kuga Hybrid. At the moment the Mondeo Hybrid does not appear, whose Titanium version should arrive this year. But since it is manufactured in Mexico, it is not charged with an import duty.
Volkswagen Argentina received another important quota but it will materialize it through models of its luxury brand Audi. It will be mainly for models with Mild-Hybrid or “mild hybridization” technology: Q7 (22 units), Q8 (15), A6 (10), A6 Allroad (9) and A7 Sportback (1).
Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 e 4Matic, a plug-in hybrid that has its share for 2021.
12 examples of the Audi e-tron, the 100% electric SUV that was introduced to our market late last year, are also scheduled to arrive.
Renault Argentina is on the list and it is the only one that will do so to import pure electric vehicles: 12 units will be the Kangoo ZE, the first electric vehicle that reached our market, and another 6 for the Zoe, the compact that the French brand will launch this year in the local market.
The last brand to close the list of beneficiaries to import “green” vehicles is Mercedes-Benz, which has assigned 33 units for its GLC 300e 4Matic, the plug-in hybrid SUV.
This list should be renewed mid-year to announce which electrified models will arrive in the second half of 2021 with preferential tariffs.
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