Car sales freeze in Europe; in America, despite the recent recovery, they are still well below the levels of the early years of the century. But in Brazil the cars sold in the past year have set a new record. The 3,8 million cars purchased by Brazilians mark an increase of 4,65% compared to 2011 (which had also set another record). As a consolation for Fiat, the Italian brand is the first on the market, with a 23,1% share, followed by Volkswagen (21,1), GM (17,7) and Ford (8,9).
Part of this good performance is due to fiscal stimuli: The IPI (tax on industrial products) has been variously reduced or cancelled, and the deadlines of this incentive have been renewed several times. Financing conditions have also been made more accommodating, both as regards the lowering of rates orchestrated by monetary policy and as regards various promotions at even more favorable rates.
On the other hand, motorcycles suffered, as they were excluded from the incentives, while the credit was not so generous; due, say the banks, to the high insolvency rate for loans for the purchase of two-wheelers.
Rio Times Online
