Vehicle production accumulates a drop of 13.6% in the first quarter

April ended with 185,400 light and heavy vehicles produced in the country. The number represents a drop of 2.9% compared to the same month in 2021, according to Anfavea (association of automakers).

In the comparison between the first quarter of this year and 2021, manufacturing fell by 13.6%. The main reason for the poor results is the lack of semiconductors, but the combination of more expensive credit and higher car prices also leads to a downturn.

The variation between the months of March and April indicates stability. There was a rise of 0.3%, and the movements now show that there should be no improvement in this scenario.

Production in the month of May started compromised due to the shortage of semiconductors. Since Monday (9), around 2,500 Volkswagen employees have taken collective vacations at the São Bernardo do Campo plant (Greater São Paulo). The stoppage will last for 20 days.

Márcio de Lima Leite, the new president of Anfavea, says that 29 new semiconductor factories are under construction around the world, with inaugurations starting in the second half of the year — all are expected to be in operation by the end of 2023. According to the executive, this increased production should regularize the supply of these items.

In Jacareí (São Paulo countryside), the Metalworkers Union of São José dos Campos and Region continues to negotiate the maintenance of jobs with Caoa Chery. Last week, the automaker announced the closing of the unit and investment in hybrid and electric cars.

In a statement, the company said that this is a temporary interruption, to refit the plant with the intention of producing hybrid and electric vehicles.

The manufacturer prepares the presentation of these models, which should take place in June. But, at first, all will be imported from China or assembled in Anápolis (GO).

The closing of the Jacareí unit will impact the level of direct jobs in companies in the sector. Today there are 101,700 workers at automakers, which means a 2.9% drop compared to April 2021.

Sales continue at a slow pace of growth throughout 2022, but still far from recovering the losses compared to 2021.

147,256 units were sold in the last month, up 0.3% compared to March, which had two more business days. The data are based on Renavan (National Registry of Motor Vehicles).

Compared to April 2021, there was a 15.9% drop in vehicle sales. The first four months ended with 552,924 licensed units, which means a retraction of 21.4% compared to the same period last year.

“From the second half, there is an expectation of growth, which can recover what was lost in recent months”, says the new president of Anfavea.

Exports are going through a moment of recovery, with a rise of 17.9% in the comparison between the first four months of 2021 and 2022. In total, 152,900 units were shipped abroad, primarily to Mercosur countries.