03/02/2009 15h01
February sells vehicles almost at the pace of 2008
Gazeta Mercantil - 03/03/2009
The car industry waits for the results of this month's sales to have a clearer view of the performance of the car sector this year. As in the first month of the year the performance in February was also positive and the number of vehicles (which includes cars, light commercial vehicles, trucks and buses) licensed in the Country amounted to 182,502 units until the 26. If the National Register of Motor Vehicles (Renavam) confirms the sales forecasts of 10 thousand vehicles on Friday the month will end with 192 thousand licensed units. That is a good sales volume, according to the officers of the makers since February had only 20 business days. The CEO of General Motors do Brasil and Mercosur, Jaime Ardila, foresees sales of 190 thousand vehicles for the last month. Specialists of the market believe in a greater volume, with the licensing of 197 thousand units. 200 thousand units were licensed in February 2008. The reduction of the tax for the acquisition of vehicles and the release of credit for the financing of cars that came into effect in December 2008, brought relief to the car sector, assuring stability to the sales for three consecutive months - 194,520 units in December, 214,954 in January and 197 thousand in February -, but it did not rule out the concern for the next months, when the incentive given to the sector by the Government will end. According to the commercial officer of Citroën, the Grupo PSA - which controls the operations of the maker - is confident in the recovery of the Brazilian market. "The production of the group is getting back to normal in the Country, with the adjustments to the mix of products" he affirmed. In order to strengthen the confidence of the brand in the Country Boragina recalled 10 years ago Citroen had only 26 dealerships in Brazil in nine cities. "Today, the company has 120 dealerships in 79 cities. Last year were opened 24 stores and this year we already opened two points of sales in the Country", he emphasized.
