Brazil auto output down 22% in August; economics, politics create concerns

Brazilian automotive production fell by 21.90% in August 2021 compared with the corresponding month last year due to partial or complete stoppages across the country because of the global semiconductor chip shortage, national manufacturers' association Anfavea said on Wednesday September 8.

Output amounted to 164,027 units during August, down from 210,009 units a year before and the worst August number since 2003, the association said. But the volume was slightly higher than in July, a 0.29% increase from 163,556 units.
Light vehicle production was generally more badly affected by the chip shortage, Anfavea said. Truck production, on the other hand, was up by 111% year-on-year to 14,963 units in August, from 7,087 units, amid strong demand from the agriculture, mining and general transport sectors.

A study by the Boston Consulting Group, whose findings were revealed by the Brazilian association, estimated that the chip shortage meant that the predicted shortfall in global light vehicle production in 2021 was 7-9 million units, compiled from reported figures for January-June and estimates for July-December. The...

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