Brazil recorded a fall in production in April this year as a result of the fewer number of working days during the month. 204,900 vehicles were produced, down 2.7% from 210,600 a year ago, according to industry trade association ANFAVEA.
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Year-to-date production to the end of April was up 5% to 836,900 units, but the trade association is forecasting just 2.7% growth for the full year as exports slow in response to the increased value of the real.
Exports have already started to fall. In April 71,500 vehicles were exported, down 1.2% on a year earlier. Year-to-date there is still some export growth. Shipments of vehicles in the first four months of this year rose from 267,900 units in the same period of 2005 to 272,500 units, an increase of 1.7%.
However, the major vehicle manufacturers have announced that will reduce export numbers. According to AutoData, Fiat is expecting to export 70,000 vehicles this year, down from 100,000 in 2005, and Volkswagen will export 80,000 less vehicles than it did last year.
The domestic market remains relatively strong. Vehicles sales were up 7.9% in the first four months of the year, to 548,700 units.
Volkswagen is one of the biggest winners in the growing market. The company sold 29,400 passenger and light commercial vehicles in April, an increase of 14.7% compared to a year ago. Fiat lead the market in April with 31,000 vehicle registrations, but this was down 5% on its previous year’s performance. 26,400 GM vehicles were registered, down 13.7% on a year earlier. Ford also experienced a decline with registrations down 12.5% to 13,100 vehicles.
In the heavy truck market Volkswagen was market leader in April, with sales of 2,000 units, up 8.9% on a year earlier. DaimlerChrysler sales were down 19% to 1,900 units.
