The world’s largest EV maker BYD delivered its first shipment of electric and hybrid vehicles to Argentina on Wednesday, capitalizing on President Javier Milei’s decision to lift import tariffs in April 2025.
The BYD Changzhou cargo vessel arrived Wednesday at Zárate Port in Buenos Aires province carrying more than 5,800 vehicles after a 23-day voyage from Singapore.
BYD launched in Argentina last October, two months after it began assembling passenger vehicles locally in Brazil.
Other Chinese carmakers, such as the Stellantis-backed Leapmotor and SAIC Group’s brand MG. None of the three US-listed Chinese automakers — Li Auto, XPeng, or Nio — has arrived in the Argentinian market.
There, BYD sells the electric Yuan Pro SUV, Song Pro plug-in hybrid SUV, and electric Dolphin Mini — known as Dolphin Surf in Europe and as Seagull in China.
The Shenzhen-based automaker plans to introduce five to six additional models this year, including the Shark pickup.
The Argentinian government is allowing up to 50,000 electric and hybrid vehicles into the country tariff-free in 2026.
Canada announced a similar agreement last week, allowing 49,000 Chinese-made EVs into the country in the first year at a 6.1% tariff rate.
Milei in China
Argentine President Javier Milei said earlier this month he plans to visit China this year.
Speaking with the local media outlet Clarin, the Argentinian President mentioned that both countries have “a very good commercial relationship.”
“We have a very good commercial relationship with China. And again, we have to try to trade with all the countries in the world. And everyone who wants to trade with us is welcome,” he said.
Imports and Brazil
Argentina logged a record 30% increase in imports last year, while Chinese imports specifically surged 57%.
The tariff exemption for EVs applies only to vehicles priced under $16,000 — a threshold that favors Chinese manufacturers over higher-priced models from European rivals.
Argentina adds to BYD’s growing South American footprint.
In Brazil, the company sold 76,700 vehicles in 2024, a 328% increase from the prior year, and opened a factory in Camaçari last year with plans to scale production to 300,000 units annually.
