São Paulo – Purchases of imported vehicles are increasing in Brazil. According to data disclosed by the National Association of Vehicle Manufacturers (Anfavea), licensing of motor vehicles (passenger vehicles, lorries and buses) manufactured outside Brazil grew 35.8% in the domestic market from January to August this year, compared with the same period of 2009. A total of 394,136 new imported units were licensed.
On the other hand, licensing of new domestic motor vehicles increased by 5.7%. "We are generating jobs abroad, not here in the country. These are the rules of the game, though, we have an open market. We must find the path to competitiveness, we must import more, but also export much more," said the president of the Anfavea, Cledorvino Belini, at a press conference this Wednesday (8th). The volume of licensing of domestic vehicles, however, is much greater. A total of 1.8 million vehicles made in Brazil were licensed from January to August this year.
Even though the vast majority of motor vehicles sold come from automakers operating in Brazil, the share of imported units is growing. Imported vehicles accounted for 18% of the Brazilian market up until August. Last year, the rate was 15.6%, and in the year before, 13.3%. In August alone, the share of imported vehicles was 18.3%. The only month to record a higher rate this year was January, at 20.1%. In February, the rate was 18.3% as well.
A total of 2.195 million vehicles were licensed between January and August in Brazil. The overall growth rate was 10.1% compared with the same period of 2009. According to Belini, sales benefited from the volume of credit available in Brazil, which was 170 billion reals (US$ 98.4 billion) in July, representing a 14% increase over July 2009, interest rates, which were 0.5% lower than last year, indebtedness, which dropped from 5.3% in July 2009 to 3.4% last month, and the Consumer Confidence Index, which reached 117.4 points, an increase of 9%.
Brazil has the world’s fourth largest market for vehicles. The country is also a leading manufacturer. The number of vehicles made in the country reached 2.406 million units up until August this year, representing growth of 17.5% over the same period of 2009. Exports of auto vehicles (assembled and otherwise) totalled 489,200 units, representing growth of 73% over last year. In terms of value, exports fetched US$ 6.6 billion, growth of 61%. The inventory of vehicles in the country, including industry and dealerships, totalled 329,135 units in August, enough for 32 days.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
