Ecuador to Cut Tariffs on Argentine-Made Cars from 16.1% to 10% — Hilux, Toyota SUV, Ranger Affected

Ecuador is preparing to reduce the import tariff on vehicles manufactured in Argentina from 16.1% to 10%, via an addendum to the Acuerdo de Complementación número 59 (AC59).

The Deal

The models specifically named: the Toyota SUV, the Toyota Hilux pickup, and the Ford Ranger. According to Fernando Rodríguez Canedo, director of Adefa (Argentina's automotive manufacturers association): "En principio, el acuerdo, desde el punto de vista técnico y legal, ya está acordado. Falta solamente la firma de los presidentes" — technically and legally the deal is done; only the presidents' signatures remain. The signature is expected in the second half of June.

The volume math: Argentine-made vehicles currently account for roughly 1,300 units annually in Ecuador. With the lower tariff, the projection is up to 3,000 units — about 2% of the market.

What This Means for Expats

• If you're planning to buy a vehicle in Ecuador: the Hilux and Ranger are two of the most popular pickups among expats in rural and coastal areas — exactly the durable, high-clearance vehicles people buy for Ecuador's roads. A tariff drop from 16.1% to 10% won't fully pass through to sticker price (importers and dealers capture some of it), but it puts downward pressure on those models specifically.
• Timing matters: the deal isn't signed yet. If you're in the market and not in a hurry, waiting until after the second-half-of-June signature — and the subsequent inventory cycle — could mean better pricing on Argentine-built units. Don't expect overnight changes; tariff pass-through to retail typically lags weeks to months.
• Resale consideration: Hilux and Ranger hold value exceptionally well in Ecuador. A modest new-unit price drop tends to soften the used market slightly too, which matters if you're buying used or planning to resell when you leave.
• This is a narrow deal, not a broad import liberalization. It applies to Argentine-origin vehicles under AC59 specifically — not a general reduction on all imported cars.

Source: Primicias