Marli Moreira
Reporter - Agência Brasil

São Paulo - Brazilian vehicle production rose 20.7% in 2004, compared to 2003. The strong performance was boosted by exports, which rose 51.8%, and domestic demand, up 10.5%.

Foreign sales of Brazilian-made vehicles brought in revenue of US$8.3 billion in 2004.

Another bright spot in this picture is the fact that the sector added 11,000 new jobs. Employment in the sector thus rose from 91,000 to 102,000.

The automaker association (Anfavea) says it expects 2005 to be another good year with further increases in production, exports and domestic sales.

Translation: Allen Bennett