La industria automotriz argentina en perspectiva. La reconversión de la década del noventa como prólogo a la crisis actual[An outlook of the the automobile industry in Argentina. The transformation in the 1990s paving the way to the current crisis]

The automobile industry in Argentina shows a significant weight in the industrial sector and, correspondly, in the economic activity of the country. According to the Census 1994, the automobile industry accounted for 9% of total gross production (including spare parts production). That figure would increase even further if the mecanics service activity is to be included along with the commercial activities of oil stations and the like. A significant share of the industry production comes from the domestic demand, in line with tte rate of growth of the number of cars in circulation, while anothe part of it depends directly on supply of new units. In practice, although is not podisble to disentagle both activities, one can assume that the former is more stable while the latter relies more on the business cycle. In this paper we acalize both activities in depth and the impact that the regional integration (MERCOSUR) is having on them.