In the end, Stellantis Argentina increased its prices by 1.8% in May

As usual for years, the Stellantis group It became last night the last automotive terminal to spread its prices for this month that begins. However, and for an unusual reason, the lists of fusion between automotive FCA (Fiat-Chrysler) y PSA (Peugeot-Citroën) became the most anticipated in May. It happens that, at the end of April, Stellantis received the direct pressure from the minister of Economy, Luis Caputowhen rumors circulated that – after the flexibility of the exchange rate – the company planned average rises of 3.5% (See note).

In the end, the automaker commanded by Martin Pinn Jupuri (which is also president of the Association of Car Manufacturers, Adefa), applied average increases in 1.8%.

The changes in the tables were not even. In some cases the increases reached 3.04% (Fiat Mobi) Los Fiat Cronos, Citroën Basalt y Jeep Compass They climbed the 2.54%. In others they limited only the 1.01% (Peugeot 208, Peugeot partner y Citroën Berlingo).

Before that 3.5%rumor, Caputo had warned all automotive: “If it were true, it would be a change in the relationship of trust built with this industry. And if that trust is broken, which cost so much to build, we will use our tools to defend consumers”.

When the minister said those words, at the end of April, in Stellantis they denied at all times that they had already defined increases in their May boards: “The company’s policy is always waiting for the closure of sales of the month and only after thinking about the prices of the following month”.

It’s true. Historically, Fiat (and since the creation of Stellantis, all that group) is always the last to publish their values: he prefers to see what other competitors who usually take the role of “price Trainers” In the automotive sector. This is the case of Toyota (It rose 1.4%, see note), Volkswagen (increased 1.5%, see note) and Ford (He did not modify his prices, see note).

The doubt that will remain is whether the rumor of the 3.5% rise disseminated at the end of April by the journalist Horacio Alonso He had a real livelihood or if Stellantis modeled the increases after the caputo pressure. The truth is that the minister decided to press the automotive before an unofficial version, without waiting for the publication of May prices.

Caputo’s attitude generated unexpected tension between the government and automotive. This was one of the sectors most benefited by the president’s policies Javier Milei And the companies themselves always highlighted the “Good dialogue” y “Cooperation Climate” With this management.

Therefore, in the environment the doubt was floating what those would be “Tools to defend consumers”, that could be applied in case automotive do not respect the inflationary expectations of the government. It is possible that some of those “tools” Be measures as claimed yesterday Martin Pinn Jupuri. The president of Adefa y Stellantis asked the government to help automotive to correct a “Unbalance” In car exports produced in Argentina, in a context of international crisis.

Zuppi said: “To the positive performance in internal production and sales there is a slight retraction in exports, particularly due to the lower demand of some countries, greater external competition and an imbalance in terms of competitiveness. It is worth noting that we continue working together with the government to correct those imbalances and have tools that allow us to return to the path of growth and hold it in a highly challenging international scenario”.

In the midst of these comings and turns, there is the feeling that something seems to have broken in the relationship between the government and the automotive. It is known that, in the next few days, Zuppi will make an industrial launch with a new investment announcement in one of the factories that Stellantis has in Argentina (see separate note). Many will take everything that happens and say in that act as a “thermometer”, To know how the relationship between the two parties continues.

Stellantis prices for May 2025 are published below.

C.C.

Argentine Stellantis prices – April and May 2025

Stellantis price lists – April and May 2025