The data are from ACAP and confirm a scenario that was already foreseen. The effects of the coronavirus on the national market are already being felt and the month of March comes to prove it, especially after the declaration of the state of emergency on March 19th.
Thus, after having experienced a 5% growth in February compared to the same period of 2019, the national market sank this month of March, with a drop of 56.6% compared to March 2019, having been registered 12 399 motor vehicles (including light and heavy vehicles).
To make matters worse, according to ACAP, many of the vehicles registered in March corresponded to units whose orders had been placed before the pandemic, which allows us to foresee an even worse scenario for the month of April.
Obviously, this fall in March was reflected in the sales results for the first quarter of 2020, during which 52 941 new vehicles were registered, a decrease of 24% compared to 2019.
Breakage in passenger cars was greater
Although the entire national market was affected by the effects of the coronavirus in March, it was in the sales of light passenger vehicles that they were felt the most.
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In total, 10 596 units were registered, 57.4% less than in 2019. Among light goods, the decrease was 51.2%, with 1557 units being registered.
Finally, it was in the heavy vehicle market that the smallest drop occurred, with 246 units being sold, a figure that represents a drop of 46.6% compared to the same period of 2019.
Razão Automóvel's team will continue online, 24 hours a day, during the COVID-19 outbreak. Follow the recommendations of the General Directorate of Health, avoid unnecessary travel. Together we will be able to overcome this difficult phase.