Tires: brand by brand, what are their prices and how cheap are the imported ones
The price of tires in Argentina has sharply decreased due to increased imports, with average prices falling 34% alongside a significant reduction in sector employment.
In Argentina, tire prices have dropped considerably, measured in U.S. dollars, thanks to a surge in imports over the last two years. A report by the consulting firm PxQ highlights that these prices decreased by 34% on average, leading to a nearly 50% reduction in jobs within the tire sector. The study is based on an analysis of 66,363 unique prices covering 330 varieties from about 20 brands, focusing on the time frame between 2023 and 2025.
According to PxQ, average tire prices have plummeted by 34.2% in official dollar terms during this period, while employment in the sector declined by a staggering 46.1%. The increase in imports, which grew by 34.7% annually, is directly related to this price drop and job losses, indicating a complex relationship between trade liberalization and local employment.
This finding illustrates the 'sacrifice ratio' of Argentina's anti-inflation program, suggesting that while consumers benefit from lower prices, the employment landscape faces severe challenges. The report invites further examination of how such economic measures can simultaneously lead to consumer gain and job loss, posing critical questions for policymakers about the sustainability of employment in exchange for lower prices on imported goods.