Sales of cars break 4th annual record
Folha de S. Paulo
The sale of cars, light commercial vehicles, buses and trucks broke the fourth record in a row in 2010 with the licensing of 3.52 million units. The number represents growth of 11.9% compared to the previous year. The Anfavea (Automakers Association) estimated a smaller growth (9.8%).
Despite the measures of restriction to the credit for the car sector taken by the Central Bank at the end of the year, December reached the greatest monthly mark of the industry registering the licensing of 381.6 thousand cars. The best result so far had been registered last March (353.7 thousand), last month with the reduced IPI (Excise Tax), tax benefit granted since December 2008. For the consultant specialized in the car sector, David Wong, Director of Kaiser Associates, without "the terror on the part of the Government" there would be no grounds for anticipating the purchases that led to new monthly record.
Consumers went to the dealerships to take advantage of the promotional sales and financing plans that were in effect, which were extended for a few days after the measures taken by the Central Bank, which include restriction of resources for credit with terms for payment above 24 months. Wong recalls the sales always fall in January, because potential the buyers of cars have other expenses, such as the payment of the IPVA (motor-vehicle tax) and IPTU (Urban Property Tax), expenditure with the year-end shopping and also school registration and material for those with children. For this year, the Anfavea foresees growth of 5.2%, reaching 3.63 million units and a new record.