Registrations of locally manufactured automobiles increased 5%, while registrations for imported cars surged up 41%, according to data released by Brazil’s automobile manufacturers association.

The National Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, or Anfavea, reported that registrations for locally manufactured automobiles rose to 1.5 million, compared to 1.4 million.  After a sluggish start – with sales under 92,000 in January, and under 86,000 in February, sales never fell below 104,000 the rest of the year. The high marks topped 155,000 in July and December.

Results in December were the highest in four years, which Anfavea attributed in part to promotions for sales of hybrid and electric vehicle models before the return of an import tax, which is expected later this year.

Registrations for imported automobiles jumped to 233,825, compared to 165,337. Sales topped the 20,000 point each month from July onwards, peaking at 32,452 in December.

Production of automobiles decreased 2% to 1.8 million in 2023. Monthly production peaked at more than 173,000 in both June and August. The low points of less than 126,000 occurred in January and February.

The South American country’s exports of automobiles declined 20% to 308,228 in 2023, compared to 386,176. The low marks occurred in the last two months of last year – 17,383 in December and 16,501 in November. The peak export months were March and May, when the totals were above 36,0000.