Diversity in the Brazilian market is decreasing, partly due to the invasion of SUVs, partly due to changes in consumer tastes
The new car market has lost the diversity that existed in the past. The SUV fad dominated automakers’ offerings, killing off some once-popular bodies.
This trend even affects models that have followed in line, some compact hatchbacks have lost more equipped versions for an entry-level SUV to take its place. Others gained raised suspension and a beefier design at the front to be sold as a utility.
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For the public that doesn’t want an SUV, this lack of option is a problem. We list below some bodies that are almost disappearing from the Brazilian market, many are supported by a small loyal audience.
It was the most common thing in the past to have a station wagon version of a car. Until the 90s, there were few models without an option, such as the Chevrolet Monza and the first Ford Escort.
Luxury brands imported their sedans always accompanied by the respective station wagons as well. But the supply of this segment of cars fell with the fashion of minivans, starting in the late 90s.
Chevrolet, for example, did not bring the station wagon of the national Astra to prioritize the Zafira. The last national with this body was the Fiat Palio Weekend, which was produced until 2020.
Recently Audi launched two station wagons in Brazil, the A5 Avant combustion and the A6 Avant E-Tron. The other options we have on the market are the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo, the Audi RS6 Avant and the Zeekr 001.
Minivans were a fever in the 90s and 2000s, just as SUVs are today. Their design even inspired the hatches, which gained a higher roof and a sloping windshield. Honda Fit and Fiat Punto are some examples.
Today they are practically out of the Brazilian market. Although there are SUVs with seven seats, they are still far from having an interior well used with those of minivans.
Those looking for a new one on the market have only three options: Chevrolet Spin, Kia Carnival and Denza D9. There is a chance that some novelties in this segment will arrive by the Chinese, who like high-luxury minivans.
Having a Volkswagen Golf, a Chevrolet Astra, a Ford Focus, an Audi A3 or a Fiat Stilo was the dream of young people who have just qualified. Medium hatches were used cars as a reference in the market, as they always brought novelties, powerful engines and some had desired sports versions.
The last medium hatch produced in Mercosur was the Chevrolet Cruze Sport6, which was discontinued to increase the production of the Tracker SUV. The last national one, the Volkswagen Golf, left the scene earlier for a similar reason and gave way to the T-Cross on the assembly line.
Those looking for a model in this segment have few options: Audi A3, BMW M135, Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG, Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf GTI. Only the A3 does not come in a sports version, but it charges a lot for coming from Germany and for bringing the four rings on the grille.
Kia promised to launch the K4 hatch with a 1.6 turbo engine during the Motor Show. If it is priced well, it can catch customers who miss the Golf, the Cruz Sport6 and the Ford Focus.
Convertible cars have never been a success in Brazil, but the option has always existed. Some companies even converted ordinary cars, a tradition that lasted until the 2000s.
It was also common to see premium brands bringing open versions of their cars, such as the Mercedes-Benz CLK, the Audi A5 and the Volvo C70. Today the only options are the BMW 420i Cabriolet, the Mercedes-Benz SL and the Porsches 718 Cayman and 911 Cabriolet.
Buying a pickup truck in Brazil until the 90s was synonymous with taking home a work vehicle with a single cab. Those who wanted a double cabin to take the family had to go in a bodybuilder to modify the vehicle.
At the end of the 80s, factory double cab options appeared at Chevrolet, in the following decade came the imported ones with this configuration. Today four doors are the standard in the pickup segment.
Even with the trucks still being sought for work, the offers have decreased. Only the Fiat Strada, the Volkswagen Saveiro, the Chevrolet S10, the Toyota Hilux and the Ford Ranger remained. Novelties such as the Fiat Titano and GWM Poer came only with a double cab.
