Brazilian exports of automobiles, light commercial vehicles, trucks and bus chassis hit a record in the first quarter of the year. Shipments totaled 180.2 thousand units, an increase of 3.3% over the same period of 2017, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers (Anfavea) said on Thursday.
In terms of figures, the sector’s external sales increased 22.3% over the first three months of last year, totaling US $ 4.089 billion. This figure includes the segments of agricultural machinery, auto parts and engineering services.
In March alone, the automakers shipped 67,500 units abroad, a decrease of 2.6% compared to the same month in 2017. Compared with February, there was an increase of 1.8%. Revenues from shipments reached US $ 1.575 billion last month, an increase of 18.4% over March last year and 6.5% over February.
Brazilian vehicle production totaled 699.7 thousand units in the quarter, up 14.6% over the first three months of 2017. In the month, 267.5 thousand vehicles exited the production lines, up 13.5% over March of 2016 and 25.3% in relation to the February result.
Domestic sales also have a bullish trend: in the quarter, growth reached 15.6%, with 545,500 cars, light commercial vehicles, trucks and bus chassis marketed. March recorded 207.4 thousand units sold, up 9.6% on the same month last year and 32.2% on February.
The highlight was the sale of imported vehicles, which increased 22.5% in the first three months of the year, to 63.8 thousand units. By the end of last year, each company had a quota of import of vehicles with discounted tribute, which was closed at the beginning of 2018: now all imported models are reduced value.
Source: Comex do Brasil
