HEAVY VEHICLE MARKET HAS EXPRESSIVE GROWTH OF 24% IN 2008
Despite the crisis which has frightened the worldwide industry in the last few months, vehicles sales to the Brazilian retail market were a record in 2008. According to the data divulged by Fenabrave (The National Federation for the Automotive Vehicles Distribution), including automobiles, light commercial vehicles, trucks, buses, motorcycles and road implements, the sales increased 14.15% - from 4,248,275 in 2007 to 4,849,497 last year.
Heavy vehicles had expressive growth of almost 24%. That means 149,619 trucks and buses in 2008 against 120,846 in the previous year. Only in the trucks area, Fenabrave registered the licensing of 123,283 units in the retail area against 98,695 in 2007 – almost 25% more. According to the entity’s ranking, Mercedes-Benz led sales in this segment with a participation of 30.05%. Following close behind was Volkswagen Trucks and Buses, with a slice of 29.88%; in front of Ford (16.84%); Iveco (7.85%); Volvo (7.81%) and Scania (6.36%). Buses sales increased almost 19%, from 22,151 units in 2007 to 26,336 last year. The sales champion was Mercedes-Benz, with a slice of 46.04%; followed by Volkswagen Trucks and Buses (28.45%); Marcopolo (15.09%); Agrale (4.24%), Scania (3.30%) and Volvo (1.65%).
Before the worldwide crisis hit the Brazilian market, Fenabrave forecasted a growth of 19% for the segment. A growth above 14% on the year accumulated already demonstrates the shutdown caused by the international crisis, but also signs the growth recovering possibility for the following months.
As a result of this performance, the entity revised its previsions for this year: from a drop of 19% in the automobiles and light commercial vehicles licensing in 2009, projected at the beginning of December, to a growth of 3.13% for all segments. This was due to the announcement of the government package which reduced the quota of IPI (Tax on Industrialised Products) for vehicles and of IOF (Tax on Financial Operations) until March 31st, 2009, announced on the December 11th, 2008 and which stimulated sales.
By segment, based on the Fenabrave projections, the automobiles and light commercial vehicles sales should rise 4.20% in 2009 comparing to last year, to 2,783,466 units. Trucks will total 126,119 units (+2. 30%), while buses will reach 27,310 units (+3.70%). A positive performance. It is worth to highlight that in this sector, Brazil presents an enormous growth potential for the next 15 years.