Auto production down 18.2% in August
The production of cars, light commercial vehicles, trucks and buses slipped 18.2% in August year-over-year, according to data released today (Sep 4.) by the National Association for Auto Manufacturers (Anfavea).
In August this year, 215,465 units were produced, compared with a year-earlier 264,626. Against July, the output is down 3.5%. The year-to-date production, in turn, totaled 1,730,708 units, 16.9% below the same period last year (2,083,393).
“This decline in production is partly due to the storage adjustment, which should remain in September and October. Storage went from 345 thousand units in July to 357 thousand in August. We've got enough stored for 52 days of sales,” said Anfavea head Luiz Moan.
Sales
Sales in the sector fell 8.9%. Altogether, 207,250 units were sold in August against 227,617 the month before. In the comparison with August last year, when 272,492 vehicles were traded, the decrease is reported at 23,9%. Year-to-date, sales totaled 1,753,816, down 21.4% year-over-year.
“This August, we had two fewer business days than we did in July. Taking the daily average into consideration, we held steady from July, which doesn't mean we're satisfied or can afford to take a breath. In fact, we're still facing a tough moment in the market, especially as far as trucks are concerned,” Moan said.
According to Anfavea, truck sales dropped 10.5% in August (5,814 units) from July (6,497 units). Compared with August 2014, when 10,807 units were dealt, the plunge reached 46.2%. The reduction stands at 43.5% year-to-date.
Auto exports totaled 34,591 units in August, up 21.9% from July, or up 9.2% from August, 2014. The year-to-date is 10.5% higher. Exports registered a 12.3% rise against July, and a contraction of 15.7% from August last year. A fall was also posted for the year-to-date—10.7%.
Employment
Moan reported that employment faced a new slide (1%) in August from July. Also, 27,400 employees are expected to be out of car plants on vacation or temporary layoffs in September. “This effort, coupled with the PPE [Plan for Employment Protection], is a clear sign of the concern about averting job cuts and reducing the effects of potential unemployment to a minimum,” he said.
The PPE is a deal between the government, the industry, and union centers forged in an attempt to discourage dismissals. It mainly includes a reduction in working hours and pay of up to 30%.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Auto production down 18.2% in August
