(Adds details, context)
SAO PAULO, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Brazil's auto industry
production and sales dropped sharply in January from the
previous month, data from automakers association Anfavea showed
on Tuesday, suggesting sluggish demand for vehicles in Latin
America's largest economy.
According to Anfavea, auto production was down 20.3% in
January from the previous month, totaling 152,666 units, while
sales fell 34.1% in the period to 142,852 vehicles.
The monthly drops come despite signs that a component
shortage that capped auto production in recent years had been
improving, as mentioned by both Anfavea and Stellantis NV last month.
Anfeavea's head Marcio de Lima Leite told reporters that
"the sales decrease in January shows signs of demand slowing
down".
Brazil's latest figures partially contrast with data
coming from Latin American peer
Mexico
, which on Tuesday showed that auto production there jumped
17% in January. Monthly sales in Mexico also dropped, but by a
shallower 21.8%.
Anfavea
currently expects
Brazil's 2023 auto production to rise 2.2% and sales to
increase 3% from last year.
(Reporting by Alberto Alerigi Jr.; Editing by Steven Grattan)