Brazil May 2025: Market up 23.7%, BYD overtakes Hyundai to #4

The BYD Dolphin Mini breaks its volume record in May.

The Brazilian new light vehicle market surges another 23.7% year-on-year in May to 263,648 units, bringing the year-to-date tally up 18.6% to 1,099,358. This is well above the first five months of pre-pandemic 2019 (1,035,481). Fiat (+7.7%) trails the market but leads the way again at 18.8% share, vs. 16.4% for #2 Volkswagen (+16.5%). Chevrolet (+28.4%) is strong at #3 but the best performer in the Top 10 is once again BYD (+85.9%) reaching a record ranking (#4), volume (21,704) and share (8.2%). Hyundai (+6.5%) is knocked down to #5, with GWM (+131.2%) breaking into the Top 10 for the first time at #10. Ford (+49%) and Nissan (+40.4%) impress below while newcomer Geely equals its ranking record at #14 and reaches all time high volumes (5,173) and share (2%).

Model wise, the Fiat Strada (+29.9%) continues on its splendid run at 5.8% share, distancing the VW Polo (-18.5%) struggling again. The VW T-Cross (+0.5%) is up two spots on last month to #3, the nameplate’s first appearance inside the Brazilian podium since last January. The Hyundai HB20 (-3.7%) and Fiat Argo (-8.7%) round out the Top 5 but both disappoint. Below the Chevrolet Onix (+25.3%), the BYD Dolphin Mini (+194%) breaks its volume record at 7,577, while the VW Tera (+3784.1%) celebrates one year in market by re-entering the Top 10 at #8. The BYD Dolphin (+166.3%) slices its record ranking in 2 at #15, with the GWM Haval H6 (+78%) up to #20 and the new Geely EX2 up to #22.

Previous month: Brazil April 2026: BYD and Geely smash records in market up 21%

One year ago: Brazil May 2025: Market up 16.4%, BYD up to #6, VW Polo and Honda HR-V shine

Full May 2026 Top 48 All brands and Top 257 All models below.