Automotive-the automaker predicts that luxury segment some 60 thousand units this year

The moment is low in the Brazilian automotive sector, but not for luxury brands. In addition to the official figures, which show the increase in sales of the segment, the automakers themselves celebrate the results. "The year started hard, but the premium market is growing as we imagined," said the Director of DCI corporate communications and institutional relations of the Mercedes-Benz of Brazil, Luiz Carlos Moraes.
The Executive highlights that this segment will register significant growth rates in the coming years. "The market for premium automobiles should reach 60 thousand units this year and, in the long run, should grow even more," says Matthews. "We're not feeling the slowdown in the market," he adds.
The German company does not produce vehicles in the country since 2006, when the plant in Juiz de Fora (MG) has been transformed into an exclusive line for trucks. The justification was insufficient demand in the domestic market.
However, with the rules of the new automotive system, imposed in mid-May of 2012, the imported cars began to be taxed at 30 percentage points on top of the tax on industrialized products (IPI), which overthrew the automaker's sales in the country.
To give an idea, the licensing of Mercedes cars in 2011, totaled 9.34 million units. The following year, closed at 5.8 thousand units, a decline of 37.6%.
For this reason, the Innovate-Self propelled Mercedes's decision to go back to making cars in the country. In October last year, the automaker announced a new factory in Brazil, which will be located in Iracemápolis, São Paulo State, and should begin operating in 2016. On occasion, the global CEO of Mercedes, Andreas Renschler, said that the decision takes into account more than the short-term market. "We are confident in the future of the country, hence the decision to produce passenger vehicles," said the Executive.
According to studies, the market segment of luxury cars must grow a minimum of about 12% per year, while the overall average of the sector must be of an increment around 3% in the coming years.
However, the issue of credit does not cease to worry the Mercedes, although it may seem that the consumer who buys a vehicle brand has no money problems.
"The client Mercedes purchase also funded", ponders Moraes. To a lesser extent, the squeeze on funding for the purchase of vehicles affects, Yes, the target audience of the German carmaker. "If the credit increase, our sales may grow", explains the Executive, which emphasizes. "If the banking system can find a way to leverage credit, we may also benefit us", she concludes.