Foreign cars grows 26.3% in 2018

The sale of imported cars grew 26.3% in 2018, with the license plate of 37500 units, according to data released yesterday by the Brazilian Association of Importers and Manufacturers of motor vehicles (Abeifa). The result was slightly below the projection of the entity, which expected reach 40000 cars sold in the country. In addition to the increase in consumer demand, the segment had the help of a Government barrier on the import of cars. At the end of last year, ended the collection of 30 additional points in the tax on industrialized products (IPI) for those who cared above a quota set by the Government, through the program Innovate-Auto, which expired in 2018. The President of Abeifa, José Luiz Gandini said that the market was affected by the appreciation of the dollar, which makes the cars. In the last month of 2018, sales rose 2% compared to December 2017, to 3300 plates issued. Compared to November, there were 15% high. For 2019, new growth is expected, this time from 33% to about 50000 units sold. "In principle, our first projection may seem too optimistic, given the estimates already announced by the industry and by the distribution sector at 11%. But we are considering the pent-up demand of 2018, the year in which the dollar floated closer to R $3.90, "said the President of Abeifa.