Anuário Brasileiro do Setor de Locação de Veículos | 2021

10 Anuário Brasileiro do Setor de Locação de Veículos Brazilian Vehicle Rental Sector Yearbook 2021 The pandemic and its heritage S ince 2020 we have had unprecedented experiences caused by something unpredictable and which we had always thought very unlikely. A virus that spread rapidly, reaching everyone without distinction, regardless of social class, religion or level of education. Nothing could be done to escape it - there was no point in going to another city, state or country. The virus was everywhere. We learned to live more digitally, from home. Travel stopped for a while and people had to reinvent themselves and even in the way they related to their families there was a real revolution. Some have adapted and some have hated it, but the vast majority have reflected and rethought their futures. Shut everything down! We live in critical times, with leasing and rental companies closed until we can convince the authorities that our activity is essential. This comes amid confusion between federal, state and municipal powers, each with their own agenda and understanding of protection. We supply cars and ambulances, and we have the stock for public agencies, hospitals, and laboratories. Moreover, car rental offers a means of transport that guarantees individual mobility and reduces crowding in public transport. The months passed and we were seen as a source of security for transport. So much so that even with entire months shut down, we ended 2020 with a larger fleet than in 2019. We serve the public, companies, and public agencies, not in their entirety because automakers have been unable to deliver all the orders made by leasing and rental companies because of the pandemic and the difficulty of getting supplies for vehicle assembly. We believe that last year, despite all the problems, was good for the sector. If we continue along this path, in 2021 we expect to recover all the growth we have experienced in recent years. The resilience of our sector is undeniable: we have new players and a large market to be explored. People will always need transport and, given the doubt about buying vehicles or just paying for their use, it is up to us demonstrate that the leasing or rental is much smarter. May 2021, despite the uncertainties caused by the pandemic - and the hope placed in vaccination - be a great year for the vehicle leasing and rental sector. Paulo Miguel Junior President of the Brazilian Association of Vehicle Rental (ABLA) and director of the National Transportation Confederation (CNT). ABLA