After a record-breaking 2025, the used car market in Argentina has started 2026 with mixed signals. While the sales volume maintained stability compared to the end of last year, January's figures fall short of last year's numbers, suggesting a more competitive landscape for the year ahead. In January, a total of 153,070 used vehicles were sold nationwide, as reported by the Automotive Commerce Chamber (CCA), showing a decline of 9.98% compared to January 2025, where 170,046 units were sold. Compared to December's sales of 151,994 vehicles, the increase was only marginal at 0.71%.

Alejandro Lamas, Secretary of the CCA, commented on the new dynamics in the market, noting that the arrival of a wave of Chinese cars has notably influenced market activities. This influx is likely to intensify competition among sellers, which may affect pricing and availability for consumers. As the market adjusts to these changes, it remains to be seen how existing dealerships and manufacturers will respond in terms of inventory and strategies.

Overall, the outlook for 2026 in the used car sector will hinge on how well local dealers can adapt to the newfound competition from imported vehicles, particularly those from overseas markets. With ongoing changes and consumer preferences evolving, stakeholders in the automotive industry will need to be agile and responsive to maintain their market share in a rapidly shifting environment.