Brazil: Fiat Strada remains in first place among best-selling cars in February

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – There were 255,800 vehicles sold in the first two months of the year, a result 24.4% below the same period in 2021 and represented the worst first two months in 17 years, according to data from Fenabrave, dealers association, released on Thursday, March 3.

The irregularity still compromises the automakers’ production in the supply of electronic components, but sales have been lower than the limited supply of cars.

February was another weak month for vehicle sales. Among passenger cars, light commercials, trucks, and buses, 129,300 units were sold last month, 22.8% less than in the second month of 2021.

Despite the result, the Fiat Strada took first place among the best sellers, considering cars and light commercials, with 7,314 units sold in February.

Another novelty is the arrival of the Chevrolet Onix in the top three, taking second place on the podium, with 6,541 units sold.

It is important to emphasize that the general sales result for February presented a slight increase of 2.2% compared to January. However, it still reinforces the fragility of demand amid the combination of lower consumer income availability and the increase in the cost of vehicle acquisition, both in the dealers’ price lists and in bank financing.

RANKING OF THE TEN BEST-SELLING CARS

In a still turbulent scenario, with a lack of parts and production slower than usual, the Fiat Strada kept its first place on the podium – selling 9% more than in January.

The Chevrolet Onix rose to second place, followed by the Hyundai HB20 – which fell one position from the previous month. The SUVs Volkswagen T-Cross and Jeep Compass complete the top five with more than 4,900 units sold each.

Check out the top ten (make/model – units sold in February):

1. Fiat Strada – 7,314
2. Chevrolet Onix – 6,541
3. Hyundai HB20 – 6,161
4. Volkswagen T-Cross – 5,118
5. Jeep Compass – 4,503
6. Chevrolet Onix Plus – 4,489
7. Fiat Argo – 4,321
8. Renault Kwid – 4,262
9. Hyundai Creta – 4,163
10. Fiat Mobi – 4,162

FIAT STANDS OUT

The leadership among manufacturers this year continues with Fiat, with 21% of total sales between January and February, followed by General Motors (12.9%), Hyundai (11%), and Volkswagen (10.4%).

Experts in the automotive sector praised Fiat for how it conducts production and delivery of vehicles, considered organized and making its customers wait less time than the main competitors to have the cars in their hands.

IPI CUT

The cut in the Tax on Industrialized Products (IPI) promoted by the government last week – of 18.5% in the case of cars – may help pull the sector out of its state of lethargy, even though its effects may be mitigated by an expected pull in global inflation with the war in Ukraine.

Estimates from consultants such as Bright Consulting and Jato Dynamics point to additional sales of 100,000 to 200,000 vehicles during the year due to the lower tax. According to Bright, the IPI reduction will allow the market to practice discounts between 1.7% and 1.8%, on average, in car prices.

With information from Estadão Conteúdo