Makers speed production to have stock
Valor Econômico
The car sector is getting ready for an increase in the flow of sales before the end of the reduced IPI (Excise Tax) in the end of March, as it has already been announced by the Government. In such expectation, the stocks of cars (industry and dealerships) increased to 259.2 thousand units in January, a volume equivalent to 36 days of sales. In December, the stocks were at 245 thousand vehicles, the equivalent to a 26-day turnover. For the President of the National Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (Anfavea), Jackson Schneider, the consumers tend to make their purchases in advance in order to avoid a heavier tax burden.
The entity maintains the sales forecast of 3.4 million vehicles this year, which would represent growth of 8.2% and a new record for the sector. In January, the licensing of cars totaled 213.3 thousand units in second best result for the month in history - only behind January 2008 (215 thousand vehicles).
The car sector began 2010 with an increase in the production. In January 243.4 thousand units were made, an increase of 31.6% compared to the same month of 2009. Compared to December, however, there were a 3.7% fall. There was also strong progress in the exports. "That may represent the beginning of a recovery of the importing markets, but it is still far from what we had before (in exports prior to the financial crisis)", said the President of the Anfavea. In January 44.83 thousand vehicles were exported, 105.4% above the volume of the same month of 2009 (21.82 thousand units). In values, the external sales - including agricultural machinery - totaled US$ 725 million last month, an increase of 65.9% in the annual comparison.
After seven consecutive months of increase, the level of employment in the car industry returned to levels of end of 2008, when the sector began cutting jobs to face the financial crisis. The personnel ended January at 126.2 thousand employed people, at the highest level since December 2008. The number, however, is still below the levels above 131 thousand employees seen before the crisis affected the sector.