China's new energy vehicles shine in Brazilian auto market

The Brazilian market for new energy vehicles has experienced rapid growth in recent years, with Chinese new energy vehicles prominently distinguishing themselves for their impressive performance within this surge.

According to the data of the Brazilian Association of Electric Vehicles, among the top five brands in terms of new energy vehicle sales in the Brazilian market, Chinese brands (BYD, Great Wall Motors, Chery) occupied three spots in the first four months of this year.

In April alone, out of the 15,206 new energy vehicles sold in the Brazilian market, 7,045 were vehicle models from BYD, accounting for 46.3 percent of the total. Great Wall Motors sold a total of 2,281 vehicles, representing a 15 percent market share.

"In 2022, we sold less than 300 vehicles. In 2023, we achieved nearly 18,000 sales. This year, we have already reached a sales volume close to 30,000 vehicles," said Henrique Antunes, sales director of a Chinese new energy vehicle company (Brazil Branch).

According to the estimates of the Brazilian Electric Vehicle Association, the sales volume of new energy vehicles in Brazil is projected to reach 150,000 units in 2024, accounting for 10 percent of the total annual passenger vehicle sales.

Tiago da Paixao is a ride-hailing driver who has been in this profession for five years. He used to drive a fuel-powered vehicle, but now he is the owner of a BYD electric car.

"Whether on city streets or highways, this vehicle outperforms fuel-powered cars in terms of performance. It can adapt to any terrain, providing great value for money and leaving a stunning impression," he said.

As a ride-hailing driver, he covers approximately 300 kilometers every day, which takes a toll on the vehicle over time. Previously, the maintenance, repairs, and fuel costs of a fuel-powered car constituted a significant expense. However, the electric car's relatively simple mechanical structure and low failure rate have saved him a significant amount of money, while also substantially increasing his monthly income.

"Previously, my monthly income was around 3,000 to 4,000 Brazilian reais (about 547.86 to 730.48 U.S. dollars). Now, with the use of an electric car, my monthly income can reach 8,000 to 9,000 Brazilian reais (about 1,460.97 to 1,643.59 U.S. dollars)," he said.

At the same time, many owners of new energy vehicle said Chinese new energy vehicles have the following virtues of higher performance and lower cost.

"What's more important is that you can feel the acceleration response of this car. Whether you need to overtake on city streets or highways, you can quickly and safely complete the maneuver," said Jose Roberto, an owner of new energy vehicle.

"The car is equipped with lane-keeping control and automatic braking functions, which are not commonly seen in vehicles in Brazil. Although these features are available on luxury cars in Brazil, you would have to spend two to three times the price of a Haval to acquire it," said Emerson, another owner of new energy vehicle.

Brazil has overtaken Belgium as the largest overseas destination for China-made new energy vehicles, according to the China Passenger Car Association.

China's new energy vehicles shine in Brazilian auto market

As the National Day holiday is coming to an end, the long break has revitalized urban commercial areas, with trade-in programs for consumer goods and multiple cultural and sports events attracting considerable crowds, resulting in a bustling consumer market across various regions.

The National Day holiday, starting on October 1 and known as a "Golden Week," is one of China's largest annual public holidays.

During the first five days of the holiday, an average of around 300 million trips were made daily, with bustling crowds at major scenic spots and museums. Nationwide, ticket bookings increased by over 37 percent compared to last year.

In Chengdu City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, naked-eye 3D experience program has attracted hordes of consumers.

"I took my child to experience it and hope that he can feel the charm of technology through these experiences," said Luo Zhiyong, a local in Chengdu City.

In the first four days of the National Day holiday, Beijing's 60 key commercial districts recorded a foot traffic of 26.969 million, marking a year-on-year increase of 20.9 percent. In east China's Jiangsu Province, key retail enterprises achieved cumulative sales of approximately 2.06 billion yuan (about 293.5 million U.S. dollars), a year-on-year increase of 13.5 percent. Key commercial areas in cities like Chengdu and Hangzhou also showed significant growth in both foot traffic and sales.

During the National Day holiday, various regions accelerated the promotion of trade-in programs for consumer goods, boosting the consumption of bulk commodities. The government allocated 60 billion yuan in subsidies for these trade-in initiatives, stimulating the holiday economy and invigorating market activity.

To ensure that consumers nationwide receive the freshest agricultural products from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China Post has utilized a green transport channel for fresh produce, helping local geographical indication (GI) products reach markets across the country.

"We primarily use air freight and express rapid delivery to transport our walnuts from Yecheng County to major cities within two to three days, ensuring that people can enjoy the freshest walnuts available," said Yan Qiang, general manager of China Post Xinjiang Yecheng County Branch.

National Day holiday sees booming consumption due to various stimulus measures