28/07/2026 10:04 - Economia
The brand led by Elon Musk has formalized its presence in the country and is moving steadily to revolutionize mobility.
On April 1, 2026, a milestone was reached for the national automotive industry: the incorporation of Tesla Argentina S.R.L. was published in the Official Gazette. With this formal step, Elon Musk's company begins an exciting new chapter in the country, bringing innovation and a sustainable proposal that promises to transform Argentine streets. Leading this operation is Joaquín Lizarralde, appointed as Country Manager for Argentina and Uruguay, with extensive experience in the sector after his time at Kavak and RDA Mobility.
For electric cars to circulate with peace of mind, infrastructure is key. That's why Tesla signed a strategic agreement with YPF (Argentina's state-owned oil and gas company) to deploy a network of fast superchargers. YPF's president, Horacio Marín, visited Tesla's Gigafactory in Texas to consolidate this project.
The plan includes installing chargers at 17 service stations before the end of the year, starting with Nordelta in the AMBA (Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area). The goal is to cover the most important routes, such as Santa Fe-Rosario, Buenos Aires-Mendoza, and all the way to the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia.
The overall automotive sector saw a 9.9% drop in the first half of 2026 (294,181 units registered), but the electrified vehicle segment experienced an astonishing growth of 880% compared to the same period in 2025.
In the first half, 3,860 electric vehicles were sold, led by the BYD Dolphin Mini with 2,178 registrations. This competitive and enthusiastic landscape is what Tesla will enter, with official car sales in Argentina projected for 2027, once the infrastructure stage is completed.
Currently, vehicles imported from outside the Mercosur trade bloc pay a 35% tariff upon entering Argentina. There is a quota of 50,000 hybrid and electric cars that are exempt from this tariff, but with a FOB (Free on Board) price cap of USD 16,000. Since Tesla vehicles exceed USD 25,000 in FOB value, they would fall outside this benefit.
However, there are two hopeful possibilities to change this scenario:
1. The entry into force of a free trade agreement between Argentina and the United States that would allow importing 10,000 cars without the extra-zone tariff under a FIFO (First in, First Out) system.
2. A government modification to raise the FOB cap to USD 25,000 in the September tender for 2027, which would allow models like the Tesla Model 3 to access the benefit.
On July 16, 2026, Elon Musk tweeted 'Tesla now in Uruguay', confirming the brand's arrival in the neighboring country. There, prices are very accessible: the Model 3 starts at USD 33,000 and the Model Y at USD 36,500. Uruguay is the fourth Latin American market to receive the brand, after Mexico, Chile, and Colombia.
Although official sales have not yet begun, some units of the Cybertruck are already circulating in Argentina through private imports. Its stainless steel design and disruptive technology make it a cult object. In the US it costs from USD 69,990, but bringing it to Argentina, legalizing it, and putting it on the road can cost more than USD 250,000.
Sources: Infobae, El Cronista, iProfesional, Bloomberg Línea
Alfredo S. Quiroga
