Opinion – Eduardo Sodré: Car sales grow in the third quarter driven by rental companies

The automotive sector ended the third quarter with good numbers. 584,600 light and heavy vehicles were sold between July and September, which represents an increase of 16.1% compared to the same period in 2021.

The data, which is based on Renavan (National Registry of Motor Vehicles), makes automakers and dealers keep the hope of, at least, repeating the result of 2021, which ended with 2.1 million units registered.

There is, however, concern about profitability. The results achieved in the last three months were only possible due to the appetite of the rental companies, which took advantage of the better production rhythm to rebuild their fleets. The retail sector, more profitable, remains retracted.

According to global consultancy Jato Dynamics, direct sales (a modality that includes fleet owners) represented a share of 52.6% of the 179,300 passenger cars and light commercial vehicles sold in September.

When including buses and trucks, the last month ended with 194,000 units registered, which represents growth of 12.3% compared to the same period in 2021. In comparison with August, however, there is a 7% drop in licensing.

The best-selling car of the month was the Fiat Strada compact pickup, which sold 9,908 units. In second place is the Hyundai HB20 hatch (8,836).

But the highlight of the month was the Chevrolet Onix line, which recovers space after overcoming problems with lack of components in its production line. The sum of the hatch and sedan versions of the model reached 15,859 units in September.

In a statement, General Motors states that there is still unpredictability in the global supply chain, with occasional impacts on the global automotive industry.

“We are actively working with our suppliers to mitigate potential production stoppages and to seek alternatives in order to optimize the delivery time of products to our customers”, says the statement sent by the automaker.

This Tuesday (4), Fenabrave will analyze the current scenario and talk about projections for the last quarter. Among the concerns are the impacts of the electoral period and the World Cup on the mood of consumers, who have found credit expensive in the market.