Brazil's motor vehicle sales declined in April by 13.7%, taking a break from a four-month positive sales trend, the National Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association, or Anfavea, said Friday.

Brazil's motor vehicle sales for April were 234,390 units compared to 271,442 units in March. Car sales declined 10.3% when compared to April 2008.

The numbers are in line with what the National Automotive Dealership Association, Fenabrave, reported this week.

Car sales in Brazil rose sharply in the last half of March as people raced to buy discounted new vehicles. Cars have been selling at a discount of around 7.5% thanks to a government tax break that was originally scheduled to end on April 1, but was extended to June 30.

On the production side, Brazil produced 254,732 vehicles, down from 272,371 units in March and off 15.8% from April 2008.

Exports totaled $559.4 million compared to $620.3 million in March, and were down 54.5% on the year.

From January to April, Brazilian auto makers have made 916,224 cars and trucks, selling 902,652 of them. Sales are down 0.7% in comparison with the same four-month period last year and production is down 16.4%.

Exports are still the main crutch for the sector, down 52% in dollar terms to $2.14 billion as major import markets continue to shy away from buying big ticket items in this kind of uncertain economic climate.

Fiat took the leadership role away from Volkswagen this month, selling 49,142 vehicles. Sales are down 9.2% from March.

Volkswagen sold 48,288 cars, down 18.1% from March.

In third was General Motors (GM), selling 34,318 cars in April, down 16.7% from March.

Ford Motor Company (F) sold 18,792 cars in Brazil, a decline of 10.6%.

-By Kenneth Rapoza, Dow Jones Newswires, 5511-8812-5961, kenneth.rapoza@dowjones.com

(Rogerio Jelmayer of Dow Jones Newswires contributed.)