Brazilian finished vehicle exports have risen dramatically so far this year, according to the National Association of Automotive Vehicle Manufacturers (Anfavea).
In February, 36,400 light vehicles, trucks and buses were exported – up 16.7% on the corresponding period in 2015 and up 53.1% on January. For the first two months of this year, a total of 60,300 units were exported, up 26.8% on 2015.
In contrast, export of agricultural vehicles declined. In February, 505 units were shipped, compared to 829 units in February 2015. In January, 327 units were exported, giving a total for the first two months of 832 units – down 39.8% compared to the same period last year.
The increase in finished vehicle exports is at least partly explained by a number of international automotive agreements Brazil has signed recently. These include deals with Argentina and Mexico which have led to respective increases of 164% and 101%.
Brazil is currently looking to increase trade in finished vehicles and automotive parts with neighbouring countries, in a move away from its earlier protectionist stance.
However, Anfavea also reported that just 131,300 vehicles were built in Brazil in February – down 12.5% on January and down 36.4% on February last year. In the first two months of this year, Brazil has produced 284,400 units, a decrease of 31.6% compared to 2015.
The recent drop in production and sales follows a poor performance last year. Light vehicles sales and production in 2015 dropped 25.6% compared to 2014 (according to Fenabrave – the National Federation of Automotive Distributors), while heavy commercial vehicles sales fell by around 40%.
