Brazil January 2018: VW Polo storms into 4th place in market up 22.3%

The VW Polo outsells the Fiat Argo for the first time in Brazil. 

* See the Top 20 brands and Top 155 models by clicking on the title *

New car sales in Brazil enjoy their 9th consecutive month of year-on-year growth in January at +22.3% to 175.554 units, the 7th double-digit gain in the past 9 months. Brand leader Chevrolet follows the market at +23% but is at much higher level than FY2017 at 19.3% share vs. 18.1%. Volkswagen more than double the market growth at +45% to 15% share vs. 12.5% in 2017, climbing back into #2 for the second time in the last 3 months as it overtakes Fiat (+18%). In the remainder of the Top 10, only Nissan (+26%) and Renault (+23%) beat the market, albeit slightly, with Hyundai (+20%), Ford (+19%), Jeep (+19%), Honda (+15%) and Toyota (+10%) all losing share year-on-year. Beyond, Volvo (+53%), BMW (+31%) and Mercedes (+27%) shine whereas Citroen (-6%) is the only Top 20 carmaker in negative. Chery is the only Chinese brand in the Brazilian Top 20 for January, replacing JAC.

VW Virtus 

The Chevrolet Onix easily remains the most popular nameplate in Brazil, selling more than double any other model in market even though its share thaw from a record 9.7% a year ago to 9.1% this month. In 2nd place, the Ford Ka outsells the Hyundai HB20 for the third time in the past four months but the hero of the month is the new VW Polo storming into 4th place for its third month in market and becoming the German carmaker’s best-seller in Brazil for the first time. The Chevrolet Prisma leaps up 46% to #5, the Fiat Argo stays at a record 8th place above the Fiat Mobi (+48%) and Jeep Compass (+47%). The Nissan Kicks is up 69% to #14, the Renault Kwid tops all recent launches (<12 months) at #21 above the Honda WR-V at #32 (+13 on December) and the Chevrolet Equinox at #65 (+6). We welcome the Fiat Cronos at #129 just as the VW Virtus (a Polo sedan) gains 10 spots to #109.

Previous post: Brazil Full Year 2017: Chevrolet Onix threepeats in market back up 9.4%

One year ago: Brazil January 2017: Modest 4% drop; Chevy Onix, Jeep Compass shine

Full January 2018 Top 20 brands and Top 155 models below.