Brazil March 2024: VW Polo now #1 year-to-date, BYD Dolphin Mini and Renault Kardian land

The BYD Dolphin Mini aka Seagull instantly ranks as the best-selling Chinese model in Brazil.

New light vehicle sales in Brazil disappoint in March at -5.7% year-on-year to 175,982 units. Keep in mind however that March 2023 was up a staggering 38.3% on the year prior. The Q1 volume is up 10.7% to 483,303. In an extraordinary show of stability, the Top 11 brands are ordered in the same way as February and Q1. Fiat (-12.3%) struggles but stays on top of the brands charts with 20.6% share. Volkswagen (+31.6%) enjoys an excellent month and notches the only year-on-year gain in the Top 7, and a tremendous one at that. The next five carmakers all fall faster than the market with double-digit losses. Jeep (-36.6%) is hit the hardest followed by Hyundai (-32.4%), Chevrolet (-28.5%), Renault (-19.6%) and Toyota (-14.1%). Nissan (+15.4%) is in great shape at #8 while BYD (+1841.6%) stays inside the Top 10. Chery (+187.6%) is also very impressive at #11.

Model-wise, the VW Polo (+45.7%) takes the overall lead for the first time this year and the 4th in total with a very strong 6.8% share. It topples the Fiat Strada (+0.6%) in the YTD ranking to end up in first place. The Chevrolet Onix (-6.4%) reclaims the third position it held over the Full Year 2023. The Fiat Argo (+11%) and VW T-Cross (+0.8%) round out the Top 5, both in positive. The Nissan Kicks (+3.9%) breaks its ranking record at #7 and now places #9 so far this year vs. #15 over the Full Year 2023. The VW Saveiro (+74.7%) manages the largest year-on-year gain in the Top 20. The BYD Dolphin Mini aka Seagull lands directly at #25 and best-selling Chinese model for its first full month in market. Next newcomers are the Ram Rampage (#30) and BYD Dolphin (#34). The new Renault Kardian points its bonnet at #56.

Previous month: Brazil February 2024: Market up 29.7%, Fiat places three models in Top 4

One year ago: Brazil March 2023: VW Polo and Chevrolet Montana strong in market up 38.3%

Full March 2024 Top 20 brands and Top 130 models below.