Electric cars gain ground in São Paulo while pre-owned vehicles and SUVs lead sales

Interest in electric cars continues to grow across the state of São Paulo. According to the latest edition of Radar Autos, conducted by Data OLX Autos, 77% of surveyed consumers are considering the possibility of purchasing an electric model in the future, while 6% already own one.

Hybrids, on the other hand, enjoy even greater acceptance: 70% of respondents plan to buy one, and 21% are already owners. The main factors driving the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles are lower fueling costs (61%) and reduced emissions (61%), followed by quiet operation (39%).

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According to Flávio Passos, Vice President of Autos at OLX Group, the study reflects a “more conscious and diversified consumer base” and highlights the importance of the pre-owned market. Six out of ten respondents purchased used or semi-new vehicles in the past 12 months, while 39% opted for brand-new models.

The survey shows that the most frequently mentioned price range was between R$ 50,000 and R$ 100,000 (37%), and nearly 30% purchased vehicles priced below R$ 50,000. Regarding payment methods:

  • More than half made a full cash payment;

  • 34% chose partial financing;

  • 13% used full financing;

  • On average, seven out of ten buyers completed their purchase within one to three months.

In OLX’s liquidity ranking, the BYD Dolphin leads among hatchbacks up to three years old, followed by the Toyota Etios (4–8 years). In the sedan category, the Chery Arrizo (0–3 years) and Volkswagen Voyage (4–8 years) take the top spots. For SUVs, the Volkswagen Nivus (0–3 years) and Hyundai Creta (4–8 years) come first. Chevrolet was the most sold brand on the platform between January and July, followed by Volkswagen and Fiat.

Regionally, SUVs are the preferred choice across all age ranges within 0–3 years, reflecting the expansion of this segment by automakers in the post-pandemic period. Among the most sought-after models are the 2008 Honda Civic in the Southeast and South, the 2020 Chevrolet Onix in the North and Northeast, and the 2010 Volkswagen Gol in the Midwest.

The report also shows that 4 out of 10 consumers are considering car subscription services, mainly due to the bundled benefits that include maintenance, insurance, and taxes (IPVA).

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