MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Brazil's auto industry faces plummeting sales and widespread layoffs
At least 6,000 workers in auto factories have been laid off since January, officials say, and another 20,000 put on furlough 
Brazilian Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association estimates vehicle production will drop to 2.6 million units in 2015, about 18% less than last year's Plummeting auto sales in Brazil amid the country's worst economic situation in a decade have battered the industry that makes up one-fourth of the country's industrial gross domestic product and has led to widespread layoffs and mandatory leaves.
At least 6,000 workers in auto factories have been laid off since January, officials say, and another 20,000 put on furlough. Those add to thousands of jobs lost last year.
Additionally, Fenabrave, the association of auto dealers, said 250 of the country's 8,000 dealerships have gone out of business this year, resulting in 12,000 lost jobs.
Behind the worst situation in more than a decade for the world’s fourth-largest auto market is the “uncertainty surrounding the country's sluggish economy, reduced access to credit and a drop in consumer confidence,” said Rodrigo Baggi, an auto industry analyst at Sao Paulo's Tendencias Consultancy. “Purchases of nonessential durable goods like cars, motorcycles and electrical appliances are being postponed.”
It's another sign of the serious trouble facing the Brazilian economy, which is forecast by most economists to contract by more than one percent this year, with consumer spending dwindling, unemployment hitting a five-year high and inflation soaring about two percentage points above the government's target ceiling of 6.5 percent.
The Brazilian Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association estimates that vehicle production will drop to 2.6 million units in 2015, about 18% less than last year's output as a result of the lower demand, said the association’s president, Luiz Moan.
That's a severe blow to automakers, who for a decade have enjoyed booming auto sales in Brazil and consider the nation vital to their overall bottom lines. Carmakers maintain a 10% profit margin in the country, as compared to the global average of about 3%. But it's also putting stress on a massive supply-chain industry that employs more than 200,000 people.
Moan said that during the last 12 months, roughly 10% of the automakers’ labor force of 138,000 had been dismissed, many taking early retirements offered by auto companies trying to cut costs.
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rules-
-
-
Read all commentsThank God my country is getting out of auto manufacturing. We can't compete with cheaper labour in other countries.
Jun 16th, 2015 - 06:50 am 0After the initial economic dislocation the labour market and economy will recover. But thankfully my tax dollars aren't being wasted any longer.
The downturn in the auto industry in Brazil will bounce back but this recession is starting to really bite. These job losses and drop in consumer spending will continue to reverberate. Brazil isn't anywhere near turning the corner.
I told you this wasn't near over.
Jun 16th, 2015 - 10:32 am 0Slow and grinding halt
and at some point the slum dwellers won't take the loss of their free $
1. This industry generates many jobs, new technologies and taxes. Australia has no automotive industry because their market is insignificant and his country is diverted from major trade routes. You're the only guy I know who is proud of what does not exist.
Jun 16th, 2015 - 10:53 am 02. Soon the branches of GM and Ford will be bought by Brazilian business, this is the only way to survive in this business here in Brazil. In view of the overall administrative and technological incompetence of North Americans.
I think the polluted water that you are forced to drink has affected your brain. And you should thank God that still has some drop of water, even though sewage.
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!