Brazil's Automobile Production Beats Previous Annual Record, With Still 2 Months To Go

The production of vehicles in Brazil grew 15.3%  in the first ten months of the year compared to the same period in 2009, reaching production of 3.043 million units and hitting yet another record. The highest mark so far (2.922 million) was recorded in 2008.

According to data released by Anfavea (manufacturers' association) in October there were 321,814 automobiles, light trucks, buses and trucks produced, the best result for the month, up 5.5% from September and increased of 1.5% compared to same period in 2009, which had their performance affected by the worsening global economic crisis.

Exports have increased by 74.8% in the year, totaling 649,302 vehicles. Considering only in October, sales to foreign markets (78,072) registered an expansion of 6.8% compared with last month, and an increase of 61.1% over the same period in 2009.

The number of employees at automakers added 116,673 workers last month, exceeding the level recorded in September (115,577). Taking into account also the agriculture machinery manufacturers, the industry employed 135,253 people, well above the 134,026 recorded the previous month.