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29 AutoData | October 2018 Central Bank of Brazil on the same day that a general strike paralyzed the country - for the fourth time since the beginning of the current government. To make the scenario even more complex as the third trimester advanced, the more indefinite was the electoral fra- mework in Brazil. The surveys have started to indicate more andmore the possibility of polarizing the dispute for the Brazilian presidency, candidates with political and economic proposals even antagonistic, which is acceptable, in order to resolve the fiscal deficit that threatens the Brazilian macro- economic normality. As a natural consequencewhen spring arrived, in the last third of September, the dollar was high - over R$ 4 - and the con- fidence of businessmen and customers was low. The cherry on the cake was the minutes of the last Copommeeting, via the Central Bank of Brazil, indicating that the reduction phase or stability of the Selic, the basic interest rate, could be coming to an end. Reasons presented: increased risk of economic reforms not advancing in Brazil with the necessary brevity and, at the same time, worsening of the external scenario mainly due to the fiscal and commercial war situation that the United States intends to maintain with China, reflecting in the global economy, particularly in the emer- ging countries. With such a background, to imagine sales and production growth in both coun- tries in 2019 seems to represent more of a bet or desire than a projection. From that reasoning, very probably, the emphasis given to the necessity of preparing com- panies to dance according to the music, from Chopin to Eminem. It has to be considered that, however, as remembers Carlos Zarlenga, president of General Motors Mercosur, “the customer’s confidence has shown a resilient behavior” despite everything, which means that “af- FCA PSA VW 2019: automobiles and commercial vehicles’ production increase. 18 12 18 12 3,5 Average: 9% to 13% ter the ups and downs we are, today, in a straight line with a tendency for growth”. Antonio Filosa, president of FCA for Latin America, also points out that, also, “if it wasn’t for the uncertainties, both ma- rkets, Brazil and Argentina, could already be more accelerated.” Fundamentally, it is considered that if the Brazilian automarket is not the same as it was at the beginning of the decade with sales and production record registered, it is not either, in contrast, the same of two ye- ars ago, at the peak of the recession.Within this reasoning, the growth projected for next year would represent, at least, going to the partywith some well-trained steps. The surprisingly good sales in August, 15% above those registered in the same period last year - the best month since January 2015 and the best August since 2014 - could also help to support relatively optimistic projections for 2019. In this case, however, the practical life