THE CAR AND TRUCK FLEET AND LEASING MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE
The Chevrolet Bolt EV will be available for the first time in Brazil beginning in 2019 with a starting price of approximately $12,799.
With a population of more than 210 million people, Brazil is the largest fleet market in South America. The strongest vocational segments acquiring commercial fleets are pharmaceutical, agribusiness, and food companies.
The Nissan Frontier underwent extensive testing to ensure its suitability for several fleet markets in South America.
The automotive industry in Mexico has been growing each year since 2009, but 2017 was the first year sales decreased. Although retail and fleet sales declined, Mexican automotive industry continues to post strong export sales.
The strongest sectors acquiring commercial fleet vehicles are agricultural, construction, pharmaceuticals, petroleum, telecommunications, and consumer product companies. Car rental and government are the two top fleet markets.
Nissan’s sales increased 14.3% in South America for fiscal year 2017, and total vehicle sales in the region were the most since the company started operations in the region.
In its first year of producing vehicles for export, the plant produced 10,000 unites, and in the following year saw a 200% increase.
Toyota unveiled a prototype of what it’s calling a hybrid flexible-fuel vehicle (Hybrid FFV) for the Brazil market, which can be powered by gasoline and alternative fuel, such as ethanol, as well as Toyota’s hybrid system.
General Motors is investing approximately $368 million in renovating and expanding one of its industrial complexes in Brazil.
The app-based carsharing company has plans to serve downtown Buenos Aires later this year.
GM’s reorganization of its South America regional structure in 2010 by creating three business units, GM Andina, GM Mercosur, and GM Central, have contributed to the growth of the Chevrolet brand as a regional market leader.
The strongest vocational segments operating commercial fleet vehicles are pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, and food corporations. But the majority of fleets in Brazil are smaller, with the average fleet size around 100 units.
Fleet vehicles represent approximately 20-25% of annual new-vehicle sales in Chile. Top buyers of fleet vehicles are in the telecommunications and mining industries, along with political subdivisions, police departments, and military.
Imported Chinese brand vehicles are increasing their market share in the small business fleet market in Peru since most models are priced well below the average market price. This has put downward pressure on used-car prices.
Ford has unveiled a new global compact utility vehicle, the Freestyle, which is part of the automaker's KA nameplate.
Multinational fleet professionals from 31 countries met in Rome, Italy, for two days to discuss the latest trends and best practices in global fleet management.
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