Market Report, "Argentina Autos Report Q4 2013", published

Over the first six months of 2013, vehicle sales in Argentina increased 16.3% y-o-y, to 462,671 units. This follows large increases over the last three months, which we believe has artificially buoyed the year-to-date figure. For now, we maintain our forecast for a 10% increase in 2013.

Despite this sharp increase, BMI maintains a bearish outlook on vehicle sales growth in the country, predicated on persistently high inflation and unemployment levels depressing consumer sentiment. Currency effects have played a large part in this strong year-to-date growth; we believe that such effects may prove to be unsustainable over the year, however, and expect the sales growth rate to moderate in the coming months.

The majority of vehicles sold in the country are imported owing to the relatively small size of domestic production. Imported cars are priced in dollars, but can be bought in pesos at the official rate; if a buyer pays with pesos bought with dollars on the black market (the implied rate), it will be considerably cheaper. Reports suggest that imports of luxury cars into Argentina have surged in the first four months of 2013, as the country's weak consumer story has little impact on this segment. We believe that this, at least in part, helps explain the recent surge in sales growth.

Full Report Details at
- http://www.fastmr.com/prod/684645_argentina_autos_report_q4_2013.aspx?afid=301

We maintain our view that Argentina is unlikely to significantly boost investment from international auto manufacturers and develop into a regional manufacturing hub. Compared to Brazil and Mexico, Argentina exports relatively little to North America. As such, the country is less attractive as a potential production location for international auto manufacturers. Further, Argentina continues to score significantly lower than the regional average in BMI's Risk/Rewards Ratings for the autos industry in the Americas. We believe a significant relaxation in regulations for carmakers and a check on inflation will be required to help Argentina improve its score.

About Fast Market Research

Fast Market Research is an online aggregator and distributor of market research and business information. We represent the world's top research publishers and analysts and provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available.

For more information about these or related research reports, please visit our website at http://www.fastmr.com or call us at 1.800.844.8156.

You may also be interested in these related reports:

- Japan Autos Report Q4 2013
- Hungary Autos Report Q4 2013
- Qatar Autos Report Q4 2013
- Malaysia Autos Report Q4 2013
- Vietnam Autos Report Q4 2013