Brazil April 2014: Chevrolet Onix strong again

The Chevrolet Onix has taken a clear advantage on the Hyundai HB20

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 150 best-selling models and Top 20 brands! *

The Brazilian new car market is still in the red: down another 12% in April to 279,759 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total after 4 months to 1,054,123 units, down 5% on 2013. After the jungle that was March (Fiat Strada in pole position!), the models ranking is back to a little bit of normalcy, however there are very interesting mid-term trends developing… The VW Gol is back to its traditional top spot at 6.1% share or pretty much equal to its year-to-date level (6.2%) so the Up threat doesn’t seem to be one after all even though the mini VW stays #16 just under 2% share. The Fiat Palio stays #2 at 5.5% which is slightly higher than ytd (5.1%) while the Uno continues to sink at #6 and 4% (vs. #4 and 4.3% ytd), indicating that the loss of the previous gen, cheaper Uno Fire is hurting the nameplate.

The Toyota Corolla is up 10 spots on last month to #14.

The Fiat Strada is down to a still incredible third place and 4.8% share, consistent with its level year-to-date (#3 and 4.9%) while the Chevrolet Onix establishes itself in 4th position with 4.7% of the market, less impressive than the 5.4% from March but enough to pass the Ford Fiesta hatch to climb to #5 year-to-date, and over one percentage point above its archenemy the Hyundai HB20 stabilising at 3.5%. The Toyota Corolla enjoys the benefit of having a brand-new generation in dealerships: up 10 spots on March to #14 and now breathing on the Honda Civic’s neck (#13).

Audi sales are up 98% so far in 2014 in Brazil!

Brand-wise, Fiat evolves like the market at -13%, Chevrolet does better at -9% and Volkswagen worse at -20%. Only Hyundai (+5%), Audi (+79%) and Chery (+73%) don’t lose ground year-on-year in the Top 20! Year-to-date, both Fiat and Chevrolet are down 5% while VW sinks at -15%, Renault overtakes Hyundai at +11% vs. +9% and the German premium carmakers are on fire: BMW is up 36%, Mercedes up 8% and Audi up an astonishing 98%! Chery (+122%) is about to reclaim the title of favourite Chinese car brand in Brazil off JAC, down an abysmal 45%.

Previous month: Brazil March 2014: VW Gol passed by Fiat Strada and Palio, threatened by Onix!

One year ago: Brazil April 2013: Hyundai HB20 all set, now HB20S lands

Full April 2014 Top 20 brands and Top 150 models Ranking Tables below.