Chinese auto brands gain traction in Argentina with high-tech, low-cost EV imports

Chinese carmakers are gaining ground in Argentina with high-tech vehicles and competitive pricing, following the country's easing of import restrictions since 2025.

Affordable electric and hybrid imports are beginning to reshape Latin America's third-largest auto market, driving down vehicle costs for consumers while putting pressure on domestic carmakers to compete.

Showcasing cutting-edge technology and a range of models, Buenos Aires recently hosted its first Chinese car expo.

"Mostly because we are looking for the best price, for efficient and for hybrid type of cars," said Magdalena, a car buyer at the expo.

The wave of Chinese brands arrived later in Argentina compared to many other Latin American countries.

Diego Sanchez Navarro, CEO of Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation (BAIC) Argentina, said the perception of Argentine customers toward Chinese vehicles has greatly shifted over the years.

"There's been a change in people's perception about it. We started with this brand in 2018. It was very, very hard to convince the traditional Argentine customer to try a Chinese vehicle. They were not used to it. Now, it has completely changed because the vehicles are very very high-quality and people already know them. Now, it's not a matter of should I get a Chinese vehicle? It's a matter of what Chinese vehicle should I get?" he said.

The shifting landscape is down to government policy, with barriers to importing cars eased in January 2025. Each year 50,000 electric and hybrid vehicles can enter Argentina duty free - that's pushing prices down, but also having an impact on local production.

Argentina's own auto industry is contracting, production is down, and sales by August had fallen 24.5 percent year on year.

Chinese brands are expanding their presence in the market share, with Chinese cars sales in Argentina surging in 2026 to capture 10 percent of the Argentine market - up from two percent late last year.

"We are heading towards a paradigm shift. All these new players - the Chinese ones, in this case - are going to end up shaping a whole new market with new rules. It'll be a step forward. They're bringing modern tech to the table, and at the end of the day, that's good for the consumer," said Matias Antico, an auto industry journalist.

Chinese auto brands gain traction in Argentina with high-tech, low-cost EV imports

Chinese auto brands gain traction in Argentina with high-tech, low-cost EV imports

Vibrant public spaces are breathing new life into Beijing's historic alleyways, known as hutongs, transforming these traditional narrow alleys into dynamic hubs of community culture and modern urban vitality.

In the city's Tianqiao neighborhood, shared gardens and thoughtfully designed public spaces are making daily life more comfortable while preserving local character.

"We could see that Tianqiao is separated into three parts. This part is the area of Temple of Agriculture, and in the middle part is the area of the performance, many theaters are here, many shows are here. And here is where we're located. This area is two historical area with the hutong and courtyard in this area. They're so contrast before and after. The most important thing for us is not only for the building style, is for the human living conditions. So we solved the safety problem, we solved the public space problem. After that, the hutong has changed so much, especially for the people," said Gan Zhenkun, lead delegated planner of the Tianqiao Subdistrict.

At the community living room, a site in the street for people to get together, elder residents have chat while children play around there.

The place was regenerated for the past years and serves as a micro public space now.

"As you see, so many elder residents live in hutong area with their children. So the angle should suit for them to stand and also we care about the corner not too sharp for their safety," Gan introduced the basic facilities at the living room.

"This hutong used to feel rather lifeless, you know? But after the improvements, it feels so much more lively. It brings people together. It's really nice. These houses used to look different, too. They've all been renovated as part of the redesign. The hutong is so much better than it used to," said Jia Shikun, a local resident of the Zhaozhuizi Hutong. In the neighborhood, there is even a small garden, or a farm, where local residents grow vegetables themselves and get harvest every year.

"They adopt this farm and they will not only be a user of this area, but also be a caretaker of the public space," Gan said.

In addition, some railings have been set in the hutong for local residents to dry their laundry or for children to do exercise.

Vibrant public spaces breathing new life into Beijing's historic hutongs