The auto market in Brazil has posted growth of 29.33% in sales of light vehicles in the first quarter of this year over the same period in 2007. Figures disclosed by the National Federation of Motor Vehicle Distributors (Fenabrave) show that trade reached 1.54 million vehicles in the country between January and April, against 1.19 million in the same months of last year.
The number involves all kinds of vehicles, from cars and motorcycles to road equipment.
"The result shows that consumers continue trusting the economy of Brazil, taking on engagements like vehicle financing," stated the chairman at Fenabrave, Sérgio Reze.
In April there was an improvement in sales. They rose 13.83%, from 390,500 units sold in April 2007 to 444,600. In the period there was a historic record in sales of light commercial vehicles. They reached 248,900 units, the best monthly result since October last year, an increase of 12.65%.
In the first four months of this year, car and light vehicle sales rose 35.61% to 866,400 units. Truck and bus trade grew 32.96% and reached 36,800 vehicles. The motorcycle sector posted growth of 22.94%, with trade of 609,400 units.
Road equipment sales grew 20.2% from January to April this year as against the same months in 2007. A total of 14,700 units were sold on the Brazilian retail market.
In the month of April, truck and bus sales grew 16.40%. Trade in the country reached 11,100 trucks and buses, against 9,500 units in April last year. In the area of motorcycles, sales reached 173,700 units, evolution of 14.97%.
Sales of other kinds of vehicles, like trailers for the transportation of motorcycles and jet skis, rose from 12,200 unites in the first four months of 2007 to 13,900 units in the same period this year.
Volkswagen was the carmaker that posted the best performance on the domestic market in the accumulated result for January to April. The company was the leader in sales, with 24.4% of the market.
In second place came General Motors, with 20.26% of sales, followed by Fiat, with 20.15%, and Ford, with 8.65%. Honda posted the fifth largest sales, with 7.65% of the market, followed by Renault, Peugeot, Citrí¶en, Toyota and Nissan.
Anba
