Brazil May 2021: Fiat monopolises podium for first time, Chevrolet implodes, Chery in Top 10

The Fiat Argo scores its first ever monthly win in Brazil in May.

As the coronavirus crisis worsened a year ago, new light vehicle sales in Brazil jump up 209.8% in May to 175.405 units, lifting the year-to-date tally up 30.7% to 837.125. However a comparison with pre-pandemic May 2019 shows volumes down -25.1% vs. 234.173 units then. Compared to two years ago (1.035.481), the year-to-date tally is down almost 200.000 units and -19.2%. All evolutions below are vs. May 2019. Fiat (+28.6%) ignores the depleted context and improves its market share further to 23.1%, its highest in over seven years: since March 2014 (23.5%). Volkswagen (-25%) follows the market in 2nd place while Chevrolet (-58%) implodes dramatically. Our research hasn’t found a particular reason for Chevrolet’s horrendous performance over the past couple of months as factories continue to run as usual unlike for Volkswagen for example, so if you live in Brazil and/or know more please make sure to comment on this article.

Hyundai (-12.4%) and Toyota (-18.2%) both gain share thanks to somewhat limited drops while Jeep (+24.4%) jumps ahead to 7.7% share vs. 7.1% so far this year. The other great performer of the month is Chery (+82.1%) posting the highest ever share for a Chinese carmaker for the second month running and lifting its record to 1.8%. Chery also breaks into the Top 10 for the first ever time, making it the only Chinese brand to have managed that feat. Its volume, at 3.186, is the second highest ever for a Chinese carmaker below its own 3.281 in August 2011. Outside the Top 10, Peugeot (+34%), Land Rover (+16.9%), BMW (+14.8%) and Mitsubishi (+4.5%) also swim upstream with cool gains vs. two years ago.

Over in the models ranking, Fiat monopolises the podium for what is believed to be the first time in Brazilian history. The Argo (+95.2%) scores its first ever overall win thanks to sales almost doubling over two years ago. The Strada (+39%) sees its reign interrupted but holds onto the year-to-date leadership, and the Mobi (+44.2%) is down one spot on April to #3. The Stellantis Group even monopolises the Top 4 with the Jeep Renegade (+27.9%) in tow. The VW T-Cross (+82.7%), Hyundai Creta (+65.8%) and Jeep Compass (+21%) also post splendid gains in the remainder of the Top 10. Launched two months ago, the Toyota Corolla Cross shoots up 14 ranks on April to land at #15, just 112 sales below the Toyota Corolla.

Previous month: Brazil April 2021: Fiat places Strada and Mobi atop market down -25.9% on two years ago

One year ago: Brazil May 2020: Worsening crisis kneecaps market down -75.8%

Full May 2021 Top 25 brands and Top 130 models below.