Gustavo Salinas estimates that this year will end with more than 620 thousand patents. He said that the country’s potential is 800 thousand sales. He stressed that the Zárate plant works full time In three shifts. He said that the roads to get the production “are a disaster” and regretted that to export the company competes with a backpack of 13% taxes.
The CEO of Toyota Argentina, Gustavo Salinas, projected that the automotive market will exceed 620 thousand units patented in 2025which would represent a growth of 50% compared to this year. The Executive received a media group, including scope, in the Japanese automaker offices in the Buenos Aires town of Martínez. There, he mentioned that this sales recovery is promoted by greater offer, access to credit, renewal of the automotive park and a more stable macroeconomic scenario.
Although Salinas estimated that Julio could close with an annualized volume of 650 thousand units, he clarified that the country is still below its potential: “By number of inhabitants, we should be closer to 800 thousand, so the current volume is a recovery.” And he asked to continue working in order to improve competitiveness, with a decline in tax pressure and with attention to infrastructure and logistics. In that sense, he questioned the state of the routes.
Production at maximum capacity
Salinas explained that the Zárate plant will exceed the 175 thousand units produced this yearafter producing 85 thousand in the first semester, which represents the 35% of the total industry. Given the strong external and local demand, Toyota analyzes also produce weekendsdespite the highest operational cost, especially to compensate for the technical stops of the factories of recent days.
“We have three shifts and work 24 hours, but we are rethinking the technical stops of July,” he said. It is that Toyota decided to stop production two additional weeks to evaluate automation and maintenance, a fact that fired speculations that were dismissed by Salinas. “For example, thanks to these stops we discovered a problem in an bumper matrix that arrives from Thailand, if we did not see it at this stop, we would have had to stop the floor longer,” added the CEO. “It was a deep, but necessary stop,” he said.
At the moment, 80% of what Toyota produces is exported to 22 countrieswith a growth of 16% so far this year. From the second semester the HIACE export to Brazilalthough Salinas clarified that the operation “is not Brazil-dependent.”
Toyota sold 52,719 units in the first semester39% more than in 2024, and shows a level of 61% customer retention. 70% of its offer is electrified and 13% of its sales are already hybrids. In Corolla and Corolla Cross, half of the models sold correspond to hybrid versions. Likewise, confirmed the next release of the Yaris Crossa SUV for segment B, planned for the November 27.
Logistics, taxes and warnings to the State
The CEO was categorical about structural challenges for the industry. On the one hand, he pointed against the tax pressure: “We carry a backpack of 13% in taxes, a good part of provincial and municipal origin. There is a chain of rates and gross income in cascade. At some point we have to compete on equal terms.”
In addition, he questioned logistics shortcomings. “Toyota moves 240 thousand vehicles a year between what leaves the plant and what is imported. Our vehicles They represent 5% of the country’s exports. It cannot be that we do not have paths to get production. There are routes in poor condition, accidents, high insurance costs. It is a disaster, ”he criticized. He mentioned that Bitrenesa more efficient logistics solution, face local obstacles: “Two months ago we started using them and some municipalities are already asking for additional tolls.”
Asked by the exchange situation, it avoided alarmisms but it was clear: “A 20% devaluation cannot be transferred immediately at prices, it would be unacceptable to the market.” In that context, he stressed that Toyota already works with New credit lines in dollars and that he did not perceive a relevant impact of the Chinese competition In the region.
Source: Ambito
I’m a recent graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism. I started working as a news reporter for 24 Hours World about two years ago, and I’ve been writing articles ever since. My main focus is automotive news, but I’ve also written about politics, lifestyle, and entertainment.
