Following the 2012 production downturn, Brazilian automakers set an all-time record in April: building 340,900 vehicles of all types. The first quarter was also a record with its 1.17m cars and light and heavy commercials, up 17% year on year.
A good proportion of this result was the substitution of locally produced vehicles after imports lost competitiveness due to import duty hikes as the Inovar-Auto automotive régime in force from 2013 through 2017 took effect. The result was expected and likely to boost local production until the end of the year.
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
There was also an April record for sales with 333,700 thousand units shifted, including lorries and buses, up 29.4% over April 2012. Q1 2013 sales were 8.2% higher than 2012’s with 1.16m units.
Automakers’ lobby group Anfavea is sticking to its 2013 forecast of 3.97m domestic sales, imports included, up 4.5% year on year. It expects production of 3.49m units, including exports, also up 4.5%.
The Brazilian market is now one of the world’s most competitive with 62 brands, both local and imported, offering 1,754 vehicle models and versions, lorries and buses included.
