Used vehicle sales fell by 19.3% in the first half compared to the same period in 2021. The result released by Fenabrave (an association that brings together distributors) shows that the sector continues to be pressured by factors such as reduced purchasing power and high interest rates.
4.37 million units were traded between January and June, a number that includes passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. The models that changed hands the most in the period were Volkswagen Gol and Fiat Uno, which have a large circulating fleet and low acquisition cost.
The results obtained in the first half of the year show that there is a change in the panorama on the horizon, although it is still little felt by the consumer.
With production problems and the increase in price of zero-kilometer models, the used segment went through a long period of growth. According to startup Mobiauto, the 40 best-selling cars in Brazil recorded an average appreciation of 7.13% in the comparison between the first half of 2021 and 2022.
“With the lack of basic models, since the mix was reoriented to produce cars with greater added value due to the lack of components, the automakers readjusted the prices of their cheaper cars well above inflation”, says, in a note, Sant Clair Castro Jr., CEO of Mobiauto. “The increases in the new ones ended up pulling the price of seminovos.”
This scenario, however, should change between the second semester and the beginning of 2023. After almost two years of consecutive increases, the prices of used cars started to fall, as shown by IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) data.
Between March and April, the average reduction was 0.47%, according to the IPCA (Extended National Consumer Price Index).
One of the reasons for the drop is the increase in credit. According to Anfavea (association of automakers), financed purchases currently represent around 40% of business – and, in addition to higher rates, banks have raised the criteria for lending money.
“Accumulated from January to June, financed vehicle sales totaled 2.6 million units. The number represents a drop of 9.2% compared to the same period in 2021, which is equivalent to 267 thousand less financed units”, says the statement sent this Friday (8) by B3, which operates the SNG (National Liens System).
With sales retraction and credit crunch, prices in the used segment should gradually decline, but at a slower pace than the upward movement.
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