Brazil April 2015: Honda HR-V and Jeep Renegade take off

The Honda HR-V is already the best-selling SUV in Brazil.

* See the Top 20 best-selling brands and Top 140 models by clicking on the title *

The Brazilian new car market is back onto slippery slopes: down a very harsh 24% year-on-year in April to 211.603 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 860.262 units, down a depressing 18% on 2014. As it has been the case most months in recent times, the Top 3 manufacturers fall faster than the market, accelerating its fragmentation: Fiat is down 37% to 17.9% share, Chevrolet is down 32% to 16.1% and Volkswagen down 34% to 14.7%. Ford and Hyundai both lose 12% while Toyota overtakes Renault to take 6th spot thanks to sales down just 5% on April 2014. Honda, although remaining at #8, is actually up by 22%, with other gainers in the Top 20 including Audi (+75%), Mercedes (+44%), Jeep landing inside the Top 20 for the first time at #17 and Lifan back to #20.

Jeep Renegade

The Fiat Palio reclaims the top spot it held (just) in 2014 and so far in 2015 despite sales crumbling down 43% on April 2014 to 8,841 units. However less than 100 units separate the #1 from the #3 this month, with the Chevrolet Onix remaining #2 at 8,783 deliveries and the Hyundai HB20 down just 10% to 8,753 sales. Never before had a Hyundai nameplate been so close to the overall pole position in Brazil… #1 in March, the Fiat Strada drops to #4 this month above the Fiat Uno while the Ford Ka overtakes the VW Gol (-56%) to hit #6. Notice also the Toyota Corolla up 3% thanks to the new generation to break into the Top 10 at #10.

Never before had the Hyundai HB20 been so close to being #1 in Brazil.

Traditionally very unique, the Brazilian car market is showing traits this month that very clearly link it to current worldwide trends, namely the baby SUV craze. The Honda HR-V, manufactured in Campana Argentina, is up 20 spots on March to land in 13th position with 4,957 sales and 2.3% share, instantly making it the brand’s best-seller in Brazil but also the best-selling SUV in the country! The Honda HR-V has been a runaway success in Asia so far (#4 in Japan, #5 in Indonesia and #7 in Thailand), this month marks the start of a very promising career in South America. Similarly, up until now successful in Europe which was its only market to-date (#10 in Italy), the Jeep Renegade, manufactured in Goiana (Pernambuco), shoots up to #66 with 575 units and is the sole responsible for Jeep’s landing in the Top 20 marques in Brazil.

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Previous month: Brazil March 2015: Fiat Strada and Chevrolet Onix on top

One year ago: Brazil April 2014: Chevrolet Onix strong again

Full April 2015 Top 20 brands and Top 140 models below.