Chinese electric vehicles top Brazil's retail sales list for the first time

Xinhua Finance, São Paulo, March 27 (Reporter Yang Jiahe) Chinese new energy vehicle brands have achieved a landmark breakthrough in the Brazilian market. The latest data from the Brazilian Federation of Automotive Dealers (Fenabrave) shows that in February, the BYD Dolphin Mini model sold 4,094 units, ranking first in the monthly retail sales of automobiles in Brazil. It has become the first new energy vehicle model in the country's history to top the monthly retail sales list, and it is also the first time a Chinese automobile brand model has reached the top of this list.

　　According to the data released by Fenabrave, the second and third best-selling models in Brazil in February were from Volkswagen (Volkswagen Tera) and Hyundai (Hyundai Creta) respectively, both of which are traditional fuel-powered vehicles.

　　BYD issued a statement on its Brazilian official website, saying that this is a "historic moment in the Brazilian automotive market" - for the first time, electric vehicles have surpassed fuel-powered vehicles at the retail end. The company also disclosed that the cumulative sales of the Dolphin Mini model in Brazil have exceeded 62,000 units since its launch.

　　Fenabrave analyzed that this change marks a transformation in the consumption structure of the Brazilian automotive market, and changes in energy prices have a direct impact on the automotive market. The Brazilian Federation of Automotive Dealers also cited data released by Petrobras, saying that in early March 2026, the average price of regular gasoline in Brazil was about 6.30 reais per liter, a rise of about 37% compared with 4.60 reais per liter in the same period in 2020. Against the backdrop of international oil prices exceeding $100 per barrel, the upward trend of energy costs further strengthens the economic advantages of electric vehicles.

　　Meanwhile, policy support continues to play a role. Currently, 16 states and the Federal District in Brazil offer varying degrees of IPVA (Vehicle Ownership Tax) exemptions for electric or hybrid vehicles, including major economic regions such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais. Although some regions have begun to discuss gradually adjusting preferential policies, the overall support system still provides important support for the promotion of new energy vehicles.

　　Fenabrave statistics show that in 2025, BYD has risen to become the fourth-ranked automobile manufacturer in Brazil in terms of sales and has become the top-selling brand in the local electric vehicle market. (Xinhua Finance)