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

Honda HR-V Brazil April 2015. Picture courtesy uol.com.brThe 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 Brazil April 2015. Picture courtesy uol.com.brJeep 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.

Hyundai HB20 Brazil April 2015. Picture courtesy of CarPlaceNever 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.

Previous post: Brazil 1st Quarter 2015: Once-in-a-decade market shifts occurring

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.

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