RIO DE JANEIRO - Vehicle sales in Brazil totaled 3.63 million units in 2011, up 3.36 percent from 2010, the National Motor Vehicle Producers Federation (Fenabrave) said Wednesday.

It was the fifth consecutive annual record for vehicle sales, Fenabrave said.

Sales of cars and light vehicles totaled 3.42 million units, up 2.9 percent from 2010, but fell short of Fenabrave's expected increase of 5.9 percent.

Truck sales rose 9.69 percent in 2011, reaching 172,600 units, while bus sales totaled 34,750 units, up 21.73 percent from 2010.

Fiat had the largest market share with 22 percent among cars and light vehicles in 2011, followed by Volkswagen with 20.4 percent, GM with 18.45 percent, and Ford with 9.2 percent. Among trucks, Volkswagen ranked first with 29.4 percent of market share, while Mercedes Benz took the lead regarding bus sales with 42.26 percent.

Motorbike sales, which are not included in Fenabrave's vehicle-sale figures, rose 7.58 percent to 1.94 million units in 2011. Honda had the largest market share with 78.8 percent, followed by Yamaha with 11.85 percent.

Fenabrave estimated that vehicle sales, including motorbikes, will reach 5.89 million units in 2012. Sales of cars and light vehicles are expected to rise 4.5 percent to 3.58 million units.

Brazil, with a population of 190 million and a middle-class that expanded 25 percent over the decades, has become one of the world's leading auto markets.