Brazil May 2017: Spectacular turnaround at +17.3%

The Ford Ka ranks #2 overall for the first time. Picture carroecarros.com.br

* See the Top 20 best-selling brands and Top 130 models by clicking on the title *

As economic indicators start to show a recovery with inflation under control and the economy growing again, this may be the end of the tunnel for the Brazilian new car market. This month, new light vehicle sales in Brazil bounce back in a spectacular manner at +17.3% to 190.131 registrations, the largest year-on-year increase in over four years, since the 29% gain of April 2013, and only the third double-digit year-on-year gain in four years. At 802.270 units, the year-to-date tally is now in positive territory, gaining 2.2% on the same period last year. Leader Chevrolet beats the market with a 21% surge to 17.7% share, the same level it commends year-to-date. Fiat is back in 2nd place but trails the market at +9% just as Volkswagen does at +15%. Ford manages a 35% improvement thanks notably to the Ka climbing to 2nd place overall this month. Renault (+28%) and Nissan (+38%) also shine but once again its Jeep that lodges the largest year-on-year gain at +64% thanks to the Compass managing to rank #1 SUV in Brazil for the second month running. Suzuki (+56%) and Chery (+48%) also make themselves noticed.

The two top-selling nameplates gain a lot more ground than the market: the Chevrolet Onix is up 38% and the Ford Ka up 47% to snap the 2nd place for the first time after spending almost one full year in third position. The Hyundai HB20 is knocked down to #3 and drops 3%. Below, the Renault Sandero gains a spectacular 83%, distancing the VW Gol (+19%) and Chevrolet Prisma (+27%). The Fiat Uno recovers with a 3-fold increase year-on-year to jump from #18 last month directly into 8th place and #1 Fiat nameplate. It ranks just above the Fiat Mobi, stable at #9, and the Fiat Strada, still #1 pickup above the Toro (+25%). Although the Jeep Compass steps out of the Top 10, as mentioned above it remains the best-selling SUV in Brazil above the Honda HR-V (#12) and Hyundai Creta down two spots on April to #16. Among other recent launches, the Honda WR-V is down 4 ranks on last month to #34, the Nissan Kicks is stable at #36 and the Renault Captur is up 8 spots to #39.

Previous month: Brazil April 2017: Chevrolet up, VW and Fiat down in market down 3.2%

One year ago: Brazil May 2016: Chevrolet Onix superstar in market down 21%

Full May 2017 Top 20 brands and Top 130 models below.