Brazil mid-June 2013: VW Fox up to best-ever #2, Lifan X60 lands

VW CrossFox

* See the Top 75 best-selling models and Top 20 brands by clicking on the title! *

Brazilian new car sales take a breather over the first half of June, down 4% year-on-year to 167,891 registrations, however the year-to-date total is still up a very healthy 7% or 105,000 units over 2012 at 1,572,784 and 2013 is still on track to be another record year. Volkswagen has a stellar time: it is the most popular brand in the country over the period (a very rare event) with 21.4% share vs. 20.9% for Fiat, traditional leader, placing the VW Gol in the lead at a brilliant 8.3% share and the VW Fox in 2nd place at 5.3% share thanks to 8,926 sales. This is the Fox’s best share in Brazil since mid-September 2012 and its highest ranking ever. I don’t have mid-month results up to 2010 so the Fox may have reached that ranking before at mid-month but it never did at month-end. As a result both the Fiat Uno and Palio are kicked down to #3 and #4 respectively while the Fia Strada is stable at #5 and the Ford Fiesta is down 2 ranks to a still excellent 6th spot.

The Lifan X60 has landed in Brazil…

The Chevrolet Onix seems to have stabilised at 3.4% share in 7th position (+1) with its sedan version the Prisma up to 2% share at #14, however the Hyundai HB20 is still sliding down, at #10 and 2.7% which is one full percentage point below its year-to-date level. Even the HB20S (for sedan) is down on May to #24 and 1.2% of the market… These poor performances cost Hyundai its 5th position in the year-to-date brand ranking, passed by Renault. Meanwhile the Renault Sandero is back inside the Brazilian Top 10 – even though the new generation is not here yet, up 3 ranks to #9 with 4,689 sales and 2.8%.

Chinese models continue to slip away in the sales charts: the JAC J2 is down 5 spots to #77 and is the only Chinese representation  remaining within the Brazilian Top 100 over the period. The JAC J3 is down to #105, followed by the Chery QQ at #109 and the JAC J3 Turin at #114. However, all may not be lost as we welcome the Lifan X60 in 115th position with 100 sales. It will be interesting to see up to what level this new low-cost SUV can find its way on the ladder…

Previous month: Brazil May 2013: Ford Fiesta hits highest ranking in 8 years

One year ago: Brazil mid-June 2012: VW Fox and Renault Sandero shine

Full mid-June 2013 Top 75 models and Top 20 brands Ranking Tables below.