Best selling car in Venezuela for 7 years running? You get one guess.

[MetroMPG]

Ran across this interesting tidbit...

Model-wise, over the first 8 months of 2011 the Chevrolet Aveo leads the Venezuelan market with 13,500 sales and a massive 17.2 percent share.

The Aveo is on its way to its 7th consecutive year atop the Venezuelan models ranking.

Top 25 Best-Selling Vehicles in Venezuela over the first 8 months of 2011:

Pos Model 2011 % 2010

1 Chevrolet Aveo 13,498 17.2% 1
2 Ford Fiesta 6,986 8.9% 3
3 Chevrolet Optra 4,619 5.9% 2
4 Ford F350 3,309 4.2% 10
5 Chevrolet C3500 3,223 4.1% 23
6 Mitsubishi Lancer 3,190 4.1% 17
7 Chevrolet Spark 2,890 3.7% 5
8 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2,843 3.6% 8
9 Chevrolet Silverado 2,663 3.4% 9
10 Toyota Corolla 2,531 3.2% 4
11 Chevrolet Luv 2,520 3.2% 16
12 Ford Explorer 2,318 3.0% 6
13 Hyundai Elantra 2,131 2.7% 20
14 Toyota Fortuner 1,939 2.5% 7
15 Hyundai Getz 1,720 2.2% 18
16 Kia Sportage 1,713 2.2% 27
17 Jeep Cherokee 1,589 2.0% 11
18 Kia Rio 1,421 1.8% 15
19 Chevrolet NPR 1,241 1.6% 13
20 Ford Ranger 1,100 1.4% -
21 Toyota Hilux 1,028 1.3% 14
22 Dodge Caliber 971 1.2% 19
23 Fiat Siena 961 1.2% -
24 Peugeot 207 884 1.1% -
25 Ford Cargo 1721 860 1.1% -

Source: Best Selling Cars Around The Globe: Venezuela Loves America – Really! | The Truth About Cars

Oh, and for some context, someone from the land of Hugo Chavez posted a comment on that page to explain the sales chart...

Venezuelan car buyers are always looking for the cheapest car available and that car will always be the first on the list. Venezuela is such an unstable economy that buying a car with credit is almost impossible. With credit rates ranging 20% to 35% it is simple non sense.

[AveoGirl]

I would like to add that when buying a car from Venezuela instead of decreasing value it just go up compared to here and the Chevrolet Aveo its pretty common there, I testify these statements since I'm Venezuelan.

[MetroMPG]

Hi AveoGirl! I have read that in Venezuela, some people are buying cars instead of keeping their money in the bank. Because of inflation, the car will be worth more than the bank account.

[petrified.rabbit]

and i thought it was going to be all the drug lords buying escalades :P

[MetroMPG]

No, no. You have to work your way up. Even aspiring drug lords have to start somewhere, and climb the GM product ladder!

[AveoGirl]

Hi AveoGirl! I have read that in Venezuela, some people are buying cars instead of keeping their money in the bank. Because of inflation, the car will be worth more than the bank account.

You're right pretty much on that, it is really cheap, reliable and easy on gas and I've heard that over there they have a good amount of aftermarket for it and it is easier versus here in US. I'm currently debating whether I should buy parts from from there and ship it here so hopefully I get luck with that.

[JPD]

That's fascinating reading, and about Venezuela in general, esp. the appreciation of cars. I'm English and only bought the Aveo here is Thailand because it used to be the cheapest car (in 2009) with interest-free finance. I also note that Venezuela has the world's cheapest petrol so they aren't much too worried about the Aveo's poor fuel economy!

[AveoGirl]

The gas over there is really cheap, last time I heard from some family members was around 1.75/liter.