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While SUVs dominate the market, several sedans, including prestigious names, record very low sales, becoming stranded sedans and a challenge for manufacturers.
The rise of SUVs in the Brazilian automotive market has taken a heavy toll on other categories, especially sedans. Models that were once consumer dreams are now struggling to attract buyers, resulting in worrying sales figures and some genuine sedans stuck in dealerships.
This scenario affects vehicles that have already had large volume to luxury options, which now compete with similarly priced SUVs or even with more attractive proposals within their own brands. Below, we list five sedans that suffered low sales last April.
Market in transformation: SUVs shine, sedans struggle to survive
Brazilian consumer preferences have changed dramatically in recent years. SUVs have gained ground with their versatility, elevated driving position and imposing design, leaving sedans in the background for many.
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Honda Civic: from darling to modest sales after import
The Honda Civic was once a sales leader and a benchmark in the mid-size sedan segment. Today, imported and exclusively in the e-HEV hybrid version, priced at R$265.900, it has lost its rational appeal. Despite its modern look, refined interior with a 9-inch digital dashboard and multimedia system, and good performance (0 to 100 km/h in about 7 seconds), only 65 units were registered in April. Honda's strategy seems to focus on keeping the name alive, even far from its traditional audience.
Audi A3 Sedan and A4: luxury that doesn't translate into volume
The Audi A3 Sedan, with its sporty look, 2.0-liter turbo mild hybrid engine with 204 horsepower and good finish, registered only 44 sales in April. Its price, around R$270.000 for the entry-level version, puts it in a tough competition with luxury SUVs and better-equipped mid-size sedans. The discontinuation of the more affordable flex version also drove away interested parties.
Its bigger brother, the Audi A4, a classic among luxury midsize sedans, is also struggling, with only 36 units sold. Equipped with the same 2.0-hp 204 turbo engine as the A3, the A4 (starting at R$304.990 in the Prestige version) is losing ground to the brand's own SUVs and rivals like the BMW 3 Series.
Honda Accord and Audi A5 Sportback: giants with stranded sedan numbers
The Honda Accord, an icon among large sedans, is also suffering. The current hybrid generation, with 207 horsepower, elegant looks and a spacious interior with a 12,3-inch multimedia system, costs more than R$320.000. This price resulted in only 27 registrations in April, showing that the model has lost priority in the Brazilian market.
Closing the list of stranded sedans, the Audi A5 Sportback, despite its sophisticated and sporty design and 2.0 turbo engine with 204 horsepower, had only 25 units sold. With a starting price in the range of R$ 360.000, it faces competition from sports SUVs and the popular BMW 3 Series, in addition to suffering from high depreciation in the used car market.
Of course it sells little, the price is surreal.
If they charged a fair price, perhaps sales would improve. But, as the colleague above said, prices are prohibitive, especially for sedans, which have now become a “niche car”, since most people prefer SUVs.
It doesn't sell because these guys want to sell cars for more than 300 THOUSAND REAIS... THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR 99% OF NORMAL PEOPLE IN BRAZIL...!!!
But there are people paying that much for pick-ups and SUVs. These cars are worth every penny. The problem is not paying 280 or 300 for these luxury sedans. The problem is paying: insurance, road tax and maintenance. If the automakers don't consider this, they will lower it to 250 and still be stranded.
Anyone who is worried about insurance, IPVA and maintenance cannot have a car of any value.
Honda shot itself in the foot when it stopped manufacturing the Civic in Brazil, the competition is grateful.
The biggest problem is that these guys are designed to run on European roads. I had an A5 Sportback and on every speed bump, the car would scrape down.