Argentina’s used-car market fell again in August, with these 10 models leading sales

Argentina’s used-car market contracted again in August, extending a year of weaker sales. Dealers transferred 155,246 vehicles during the month, 7.3% fewer than a year earlier and 1% below July, according to the Argentine Chamber of Automotive Commerce.

The decline between July and August remained modest, but the accumulated figures show a broader slowdown. From January through August, 1,203,684 used vehicles changed hands, compared with 1,265,292 in the same period last year, a fall of 4.9%.

The chamber described buyers as increasingly careful with their money. Alejandro Lamas, its secretary, said prices had adjusted in recent months and customers knew it. Potential buyers are taking more time to visit dealerships and compare vehicles, while agencies continue to hold substantial inventories. Financing has added another obstacle: Lamas said current bank rates were not competitive enough to encourage transactions.

The Volkswagen Gol and Gol Trend maintained a wide lead in August, with 8,647 sales. The Toyota Hilux followed with 5,758, and the Chevrolet Corsa and Classic ranked third with 4,418. The Ford Ranger placed fourth with 4,193 transfers, while the Volkswagen Amarok was fifth with 4,039. Together, the three leading pickups accounted for nearly one in every 11 used vehicles sold during the month.

The 10 most popular models represented more than 27% of all August transfers, reflecting the market’s concentration around high-volume vehicles with long-established demand. Regional performance varied. Catamarca recorded the strongest monthly increase, followed by Tucumán and La Rioja, while Chaco, San Luis, and San Juan registered the largest declines. In the year-to-date comparison, only Santiago del Estero and Jujuy posted higher sales than during the same period last year.

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The public is being very careful with its money when buying a used car. In recent months, prices have adjusted and people know it.