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27 AutoData | October 2018 By S Stéfani It would be simple but the trouble is: the band goes from classical to rap music in the blink of an eye. P olitical and economic uncertainties have not been so intensive in Brazil for a long time and, simultaneously, in its neighboring Argentina as well, by far the main destination abroad of the vehicles manufactured in Brazil. However, accustomed to the strong emotions that mark the lives of thosewho run companies in emerging countries, automotive execu- tives do not seem to be scared, this time, by the blurry aspect of the crystal ball. By looking at 2019, an audacious bet: except for a catastrophe, and under normal conditions of temperature and pressure, sales and production of automobiles and light commercial vehicles are expected to grow 5% to 8% or, in the limit, up to 10%. In the case of trucks and buses, probably the increase will not be less than two digits, even if it is low. The audacity of the bet goes even fur- ther: it is fairly generalized that the same macroeconomic framework that currently disturbs the short-term projections in both countries also represents, on the other hand, a kind of anticipated guarantee that in 2020 or, later in 2021, surpassing this current complex phase, the South Ame- rican market will have good possibilities to reach the level of 5 million units sold per year - 3 million in Brazil, 1 million in Argentina and the remaining one million in the other countries . At the end of this year and at least a good part of the next one, however, as pondered by Pablo Di Si, president and CEO of Volkswagen South America, pru- dence recommends that companies - au- tomakers, component manufacturers and dealers - get prepared for a period that can be registered by a lot of volatility. Not only downwards, but upwards as well. It is convenient, in summary, to prepare companies to dance according to the mu- sic that will play next year. Or even better, an entire playlist. In other words: to end this year and start the next one with an able structure to followmoderate growth in sales and production but, at the same time, having everything ready to retreat in case of need. And even, in the opposite Disclousure/BMW A YEAR TO DANCE ACCORDING TO THE MUSIC A YEAR