The entry of imported cars made ​​in Brazil stagnating production and the country lost a position among the largest producers in 2011. According to OICA(International Organization of Automobile Manufacturers), Brazil fell to seventh place in the rankings, surpassed by India. For this year, is forecast to slow further, with recovery after the arrival of new assembly plants in the medium term.

Driven by consumption in emerging countries, the production of vehicles on the planet recovered from the crisis of 2008 and 2009. In 2011, world production reached a new record of 80.1 million vehicles, an increase of 3.2%. For 2012, the prospect is that the rate is maintained, even though Europe record sharp drop in sales and production.

In Brazil, the problem is not demand, but the entry of imported cars and declining exports. After registering growth of 14% in 2010, Brazilian production rose by only 0.7% in 2011. The phenomenon has prompted the government to raise taxes to curb imports.

While the penalty for growing production, sales record higher rates. In this criterion, Brazil remained in fourth place in the ranking position achieved in 2010. It sold 3.63 million vehicles in 2011, 3.4% more than last year, according to the National Association of Vehicle Manufacturers (Anfavea). Of this total, 23.6% are imported.

The three major world markets maintained their positions, with China at the top(18,5 million vehicles). Following are the USA (12,734,000) and Japan (4,21 million). Brazil was ahead of Germany by just 125,000 units. In this list, India is ranked sixth, with 3,293,000 vehicles sold in 2011.