Brazil 1981: Fiat 147 takes the lead, Chevy Chevette strong

Fiat 147, Chevrolet Chevette and VW Gol

* Many thanks to Marcelo de Vasconcellos for the Quatro Rodas tip! *

In 1981 and for the first time in almost 30 years, the best selling car in Brazil in not a Volkswagen… The title goes to the Fiat 147, helped by this year’s facelift. Quatro Rodas releases production figures and these are very close to sales figures as the Brazilian market is practically closed.

84,666 units of the Fiat 147 were produced over 11 months in 1981, compared to 71,733 units of the VW Fusca. The Chevrolet Chevette is also very strong at 56,484 units in 3rd position, followed by the VW Passat at 51,779 and the Ford Corcel at 49,886. The VW Gol, launched in 1980 and future king of the Brazilian market, is for now at a shy 6th place with only 30,627 units produced.

Chevrolet Chevette

Full Top 20 Ranking Table and more on the VW Gol’s initial launch in Brazil below.