Sales Director of BYD Argentina said that more than 1,500 vehicles have already been pre-ordered, and customer deliveries will begin immediately after the launch event.
On October 8, BYD officially entered the Argentine market, unveiling three models—the all-electric Dolphin Mini, Yuan Up, and Song Pro DM-i plug-in hybrid. The lineup spans key segments from compact sedans to mid-size SUVs, priced between $22,990 and $36,990.
The launch comes just two months after BYD began local passenger car production in Brazil, signaling a clear acceleration of its expansion across South America.
Bernardo Fernández Paz, Sales Director of BYD Argentina, said that more than 1,500 vehicles have already been pre-ordered, and customer deliveries will begin immediately after the launch event.
Notably, BYD’s entry coincides with Argentina’s new policy offering import duty exemptions for hybrid and fully electric vehicles. Under the new regulation, vehicles with a CIF value below $16,000 are exempt from the 35% import tariff.
The BYD Dolphin Mini qualifies under this threshold, making it one of the first models to benefit from the policy. Argentina plans to allow the duty-free import of 50,000 new energy vehicles by 2026 and expects total hybrid and electric vehicle imports to reach around 40,000 by early next year.
Stephen Deng, General Manager of BYD Argentina, noted that BYD has been allocated a quota to import approximately 7,800 electric and hybrid vehicles under the government’s scheme. The company also plans to introduce additional models by 2026, including the Shark electric pickup.
Argentina is the second-largest automotive market in South America, after Brazil, but has one of the lowest EV penetration rates in the region.
According to JATO Dynamics global analyst Felipe Munoz, 421,000 new vehicles were sold in Argentina between January and August 2025, with only 486 being electric.
However, industry data released in September shows that Argentina’s new car sales surged 60.4% year-on-year in the first nine months, driven by reduced tariffs and expanded credit access. “We are seeing a market recovery,” Munoz said. “Electric vehicle demand in Argentina is bound to accelerate.”
For BYD, Argentina represents not just a new market but a key piece in its broader South American strategy. Its first overseas passenger car plant in Brazil is expected to reach full capacity next year, with an annual output of up to 150,000 vehicles—covering Argentina and other South American markets.
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