Brazil 2008: new gen Gol takes off, Palio and Uno follow

VW Gol

At 2,671,338 registrations (+14%), the Brazilian car market is now the 4th biggest in the world, below the USA, China, Japan and Germany. Car sales in Brazil simply doubled in 5 years!

On top for the 21st year, the VW Gol saw its vastly improved 5th generation launch in June, and sales shot up as a result. In July the Gol reached 31,080 units, its first time over 30,000 sales in over 10 years! It finished the year at 285,949 sales and 10.7% share, growing faster the market at +18%, and its best figure since 2000.

In fact the Gol is the only model in the Top 7 to improve its market share this year. The Fiat Palio is down 11% at 197,224 sales (7.4% share), followed by the Fiat Uno (5.3%), Chevrolet Corsa Sedan and Celta (both at 4.9%).

Fiat Punto

The Fiat Strada is up 17% at 71,929 sales in 8th, and the Honda Civic has an exceptional year, #9 at 67,703 sales and 2.5% share (+43%). The new generation Ford Ka lands in the Top 10 for the first time at 64,887 sales (2.4%). The Renault Sandero (#17) is all new this year, whereas the Fiat Punto (#18) and Renault Logan (#20) break into the Top 20 for their first year of sales.

Full Year 2008 Top 20 brands and Top 50 models vs. Full Year 2007 figures below.