Automotive production (cars, trucks and buses) in Brazil has reached 221,800 units in March, 37.3 percent more than in February and 20.0 percent more than in March 2022.
Domestic sales totaled 199,000 units in March, 53.1 percent more than in February and 35.3 percent more than in March 2022, while exports reached 44,700 units, 29.3 percent more than in February and 14.8 percent more than in March 2022.
According to Marcio de Lima Leite, president of the sector association Anfavea, during the first three months of the year, the sector had eight stoppages of operations and two cancelations of working shifts, similar to the stoppages that happened during the same period in 2022.
He added that the main difference is that last year, the reason for the stoppages was the shortage of components, chiefly semiconductors, while this year there is a shortage of demand for vehicles.
Leite warned that there are other stoppages of operations already scheduled for April.
According to analysts, the reduced demand for vehicles in Brazil derives chiefly from the high interest rates charged by financial institutions in loans destined to finance the acquisition of vehicles.