New stability control law to impact South America car choice

The requirement of ESP stability control on new vehicles is hitting South America, starting with the regions second largest automobile market, Argentina.  

Starting in 2022, all new cars sold in Argentina will need to be equipped with ESP, a mandatory safety device which helps reduce the possibility of skidding and spinning. During evasive or emergency maneuvers, it keeps vehicles on track especially when on slippery surfaces. 

The equipment was to be mandatory in the country at the start of 2020 but 11 automaker brands pushed for its postponement. Meanwhile, in January 2024, the same law will enter into force in Brazil, the largest vehicle market on the continent.  
 
Although South American's third largest market, Colombia, requires safety equipment such as seat belts, two airbags, as well as ABS anti-lock braking and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution EBD systems as standard equipment, the country has no date set for the requirement of ESP, automobile news portal AutoExtra reported. 

Considering the recommendations of the United Nations, Euro NCAP, and Latin NCAP, stability control is becoming more and more necessary in countries around the world. Its installation cost approximately US$60 per vehicle, according to Latin NCAP, the Latin America and Caribbean regional car safety assessment program. 

As the models below do not have ESP as standard equipment, the new legislation in Argentina prohibits the current version of the following vehicles from being sold in the country as of 1 January 2022, according to the report.

Vehicles Prohibited in Argentina as of January 

For more information on the state of the fleet market in Latin America and other fleet and mobility topics in the region, visit the Latin America regional stream of the Global Fleet Conference 2021.