Volkswagen Group invests in Brazilian growth market

2009 Volkswagen Crossfox

WOLFSBURG/SÃO PAULO : November 27, 2009 - Volkswagen will continue to pursue its growth course in Brazil over the coming years. The company will be investing a total of 2.3 billion euros in new products and manufacturing capacity expansion in the country between 2009 and 2014.


"The Volkswagen Group will strengthen its leading competitive position in Brazil over the long term with these investments," Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, said. "Brazil is one of our most important growth markets worldwide. We expect demand there to rise significantly over the coming years and we are now systematically adjusting our manufacturing capacity," Winterkorn continued.

"We will enjoy significant growth in Brazil this year and win market share. Our target is to sell one million vehicles per year in Brazil by 2014, thus making an important contribution to the success of the Group’s Strategy 2018," Thomas Schmall, CEO Volkswagen do Brasil, commented.

The sum of 2.3 billion euros has been earmarked for investment in developing new products and in expanding capacity in Anchietá, Taubaté and the engine plant in São Carlos. With a daily production capacity of 3,000 vehicles, Volkswagen do Brasil is today already the country’s largest automaker. Volkswagen also has the largest dealer network in the Brazilian automotive industry with 600 dealers located across the country. Deliveries to customers by Volkswagen do Brasil have risen by 70 percent since 2005 to 585,000 units in 2008. Local production will total some 800,000 vehicles this year.

The Volkswagen brand is launching 26 product innovations in Brazil during this year and next year under its product initiative. Over the last two years, Volkswagen has completely rejuvenated its product range with the introduction of the new Gol, Saveiro, Voyage and Fox. The new Cross Fox will debut at the end of November. The Passat CC, Eos and Tiguan are available as imported vehicles.

Brazil is seen as a market with high growth potential. Statistics indicate there is at present only one vehicle per seven inhabitants. In Germany, this figure is one vehicle per two inhabitants. Forecasts indicate that vehicle density in Brazil will rise to approximately one vehicle per four inhabitants over the next five years. Deliveries by the Volkswagen

Passenger Cars brand during the first ten months of 2009 rose to approximately 529,000 units (2008: 456,500, + 15.9 percent). Market share increased by 1.7 percent to 25.7 percent. Brazil is the Volkswagen Group’s third largest market after China and Germany.

[Source : VOLKSWAGEN]

2010 Chevrolet Agile - New photos released

2010 Chevrolet Agile

GM released the more comprehensive set of photos showing the Brazilian designed and built Chevrolet Agile.


The new Chevrolet Agile will be available in two versions for Brazil – the LT and LTZ, and three versions for Argentina – the LS, LT and LTZ.

2010 Agile excels with its crossover-look and an elegant and dynamic profile. The interior design also offers premium quality and comfort, thanks to the “dual cockpit” design, which provides a distinct experience for the driver and passenger.

Under Chevrolet Agile’s bonnet is the already familiar and efficient 1.4L ecoflex engine with 102 hp max. output at 6000 rpm when use alcohol and 97 hp when running on gasoline. This new Chevrolet model’s engine also brings something new – “System Zero”, an engine management system designed by GM exclusively for ‘flex fuel’ vehicles.

Images : 2010 Chevrolet Agile

[Source : GM-Chevrolet]

The Fiat 500 in Brazil

2009 FIAT 500

TURIN : October 1, 2009 - The Fiat 500 is due to go on sale at the beginning of October in Brazil and was introduced to the national press today in Rio de Janeiro. The car will also be launched during the same period in Colombia, Barbados and Panama - and presented in Jamaica before the end of 2009. Not to mention the fact that the new Fiat car is already present in Argentina, Chile, Curaçao, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Sain Martin and Paraguay.

The Fiat 500 marketed in Brazil is available in Sport and Lounge outfits, powered by a lively 100 hp 1.4 16v engine teamed with a manual 6-speed gearbox or a 5-speed Dualogic gearbox (robotised, sequential). The power unit and suspension have been adapted to local market needs: the injection system has been re-calibrated to adjust to the 22% of ethanol present in the petrol sold in Brazil.

Certain components in direct contact with this specific fuel have also been changed. The suspension has also been revised for the Brazilian roads by increasing the flexibility of the springs and the shock absorber travel.

The Brazilian edition of the car, already awarded the prestigious EuroNCAP 5-star ranking, will offer 7 airbags as standard (two front airbags, two window bags, two sidebags and one knee bag) plus state-of-the-art hi-tech active safety features: ABS with electronic brake distribution (EBD), the sophisticated electronic stability program (ESP), an antislip regulation (ASR) system, a Hill Holder to help the driver with hill starts - and hydraulic brake assistance (HBA) to help with emergency stops.

The Fiat 500 model is an authentic Italian style icon that has won the hearts of the international public and critics alike, as confirmed by more than 390,000 orders collected to date around the world and more than 40 international awards.

[Source : FIAT]

Honda’s Cumulative Auto Production in Brazil Reaches 500,000 Units

Honda Automoveis do Brasil Ltda.

Sao Paulo, Brazil, June 19, 2008–Honda’s automobile production and sales subsidiary in Brazil, Honda Automoveis do Brasil Ltda. (HAB), reached the 500,000-unit cumulative automobile production milestone, June 18, 2008.

HAB began auto production with the Civic model in September 1997, and added production of Fit in 2003. HAB has been supplying these models to customers in Brazil as well as customers in neighboring countries such as Argentina, Peru, and Chile. In 2006, to fulfill increasing demand for FFVs (flexible fuel vehicles) in Brazil, HAB added a FFV version of both Civic and Fit to the product lineup. The sales ratio of these FFV models to Honda’s overall sales in Brazil exceeded 40% in 2007, demonstrating the popularity of these FFV models.

Honda Civic FFV

HAB’s annual production capacity was expanded from the original 50,000 units to 100, 000 units in 2007, and will be further expanded to 120,000 units in August 2008. Also HAB started operation of engine parts manufacturing facility in May 2008. HAB is planning to produce approximately 130,000 units in 2008 including export models. Leveraging strengthened production capacity and capabilities, HAB will continue meeting customer demand in the Latin America region in a timely manner.

[Source : Honda // Image courtesy of Honda Automoveis do Brasil Ltda.]