Brazil January 2016: Jeep Renegade in Top 5, market down 39%

The Jeep Renegade brilliantly breaks into the Brazilian Top 5 for the first time this month.

* See the Top 15 brands and Top 140 models by clicking on the title *

Brazilian new light vehicle sales continue to skid off track and down into oblivion, losing 39% or nearly 100.000 units compared to a year ago at just 149.699 deliveries. Chevrolet confirms it is the new brand in command despite falling faster than the market at -42%. Its 18.1% market share is well above its 2015 level (15.7%) whereas Fiat (-54%) and Volkswagen (-47%) lodge significant share losses. Hyundai continues its irresistible progression, teasing the symbolic 10% share mark thanks to sales down “just” 16% to 14.803. Toyota (-6%) and Honda (+3%) do even better while Ford implodes at -54%. Jeep confirms it is now a blockbuster brand in Brazil, holding onto its 9th spot with 5.079 sales, 98.3% of which comes from the Renegade, up to an incredible 5th place overall in the Brazilian models ranking this month. Notice also Mercedes (-25%), Audi (-26%) and most impressively Land Rover (+15%) managing spectacular share gains in this depressed context.

Both the Chevrolet Onix and Hyundai HB20 break their market share records in January.

In the models ranking, the Chevrolet Onix at 8.7% share and Hyundai HB20 at 6% reign supreme, both delivering record market share levels and almost double that achieved over the Full Year 2015 thanks to sales down just 4% and up 0.3% respectively. It’s a totally new order than even 18 months ago: then the VW Gol and Fiat Palio were fighting for the pole position, the Palio is now down 44% to #3 and the Gol down 50% #11. In 4th position, the Chevrolet Prisma breaks its ranking record despite sales down 30% to 5.467. Also assembled locally, the Honda HR-V follows the Jeep Renegade’s lead and also hots an all-time high ranking at #8. The Toyota Corolla manages to improve its volumes by 6% to #9, the Hyundai HB20S is down just 12% to get dangerously close to a historical Top 10 ranking at #1 while the Toyota Etios Hatch (+20%) and Sedan (+38%) surprise with their year-on-year gains.

The Citroen Aircross replaces the C3 Aircross.

Among recent launches, the Renault Oroch remains well inside the Top 50 at #42 (#37 in December), the Peugeot 2008 gets tantalisingly close to it at #51, the all-new Citroen Aircross – replacing the outgoing C3 Aircross – shoots up to #59 and 478 deliveries for its first full month in market, the Jaguar XE makes its first appearance at #137 and the Fat Toro remains discreet (#138) ahead of its official launch later in 2016.

Previous post: Brazil Full Year 2015: Onix first Chevrolet best-seller in 30 years

One year ago: Brazil January 2015: Fiat Palio and Chevrolet Onix fight for pole position, VW Gol down to lowest ranking in 32 years

Full January 2016 Top 15 brands and Top 140 models below.