São Paulo – Total vehicle sales in 2008 rose 14.5% over 2007, according to the National Association of Vehicle Manufacturers (Anfavea). In 2008, a total of 2.82 million vehicles were licensed, against 2.46 million in 2007. The result is the greatest in the historic series, according to the organisation. In a comparison between December and the previous month there was growth of 9.4%. In December, sales reached 194,486 vehicles and in November, 177,823. With regard to December 2007, when 242,240 vehicles were sold, there was a 19.7% reduction.
Production in 2008 reached 3.21 million units, 8% more than production in 2007, which was also considered record, in the evaluation of the Anfavea. In December, production totalled 102,053 units, 47.1% less than in November, when production was 193,062 vehicles. With regard to December 2007, the reduction was 54.1%. In December 2007, production totalled 222,132 units.
Exports dropped 7.9% in 2008, with 727,283 units sold on the foreign market, against 789,379 in the previous year. In December, exports reached 41,347 units against 48,260 in November (a 14.3% drop). With regard to December 2007, the reduction was 26.1%. In the period, exports totalled 55,985 vehicles.
"Exports have been facing greater problems as traditional markets have presented significant reduction in purchases, therefore we forecast a very hard year in 2009," said Anfavea president Jackson Schneider.
According to him, expectations for sales and production in the domestic market in 2009 are positive, but greater time and care is necessary to evaluate the sector progress. "Government measures, announced in December, were implemented closer to the end of the month. Too little time has gone by for us to know of the dimensions, but it is already clear that they were extremely positive and in the right direction."
The number of work posts dropped 2.4% in December, when 127,993 people were working in the sector, against 131,201 in November. According to Schneider, the dismissals were caused by the agricultural machinery sector, which is facing a reduction in sales and exports, which have been falling since the middle of the year.
"It is the responsibility of each carmaker to seek the best form of dialogue with the sector factory committee and sector trade union. What is important is that this dialogue should take place and solutions be found," said the president at Anfavea.
Agricultural machinery sales dropped 14.1% in December, with 3,677 units sold, against 4,283 in November. With regard to December 2007, there was an expansion of 31.9%. In the year, sales totalled 54,421 units, 42% more than in 2007.
Schneider pointed out that the great challenge is currently causing the used car market to return to its normal activities, for which we need to seek alternatives to stimulate the purchase and sale of vehicles. "We are going to evaluate what may be done and the government could be an important ally for some strategy to be implemented," said the Anfavea president.
*Translated by Mark Ament
