General Motors do Brasil

General Motors do Brasil Ltda.

Company type	Wholly owned subsidiary
Industry	Automotive
Founded	1925
Headquarters	São Caetano do Sul, Av. Goiás 1865 , Brazil
Key people	Santiago Chamorro, (CEO) since 2021
Products	Cars Engines
Revenue	US$7.31 billion (2012)
Parent	General Motors
Website	chevrolet.com.br

Inauguration of the General Motors Plant in São José dos Campos (SP) by President Juscelino Kubitschek

Brazilian Chevrolet S-10

General Motors do Brasil is the largest subsidiary of General Motors in South America, one of the oldest and largest car producer in Brazil.

Founded in 1925 and initially located in the historic district of Ipiranga, São Paulo, the company assembled cars using imported parts from the United States.

History

Initially operating in rented warehouse, opened its first plant in 1930 in São Caetano do Sul, São Paulo.

In 1958 a second factory was opened in São José dos Campos, officially inaugurated a year later by Juscelino Kubitschek, President at the time, for die casting and other cars assemblies.

Decided to expand its line-up, introduced in 1968, its first car of in the country, the Opala.

In 1973 launched the Chevette, which has accumulated sales exceeding 1.2 million units, replaced by the Corsa in 1994, the first economy car with electronic fuel injection, after test were conducted near Indaiatuba.

From 1968 until 2005, most vehicles were developed by Opel, most parts were transfer of product, as well as from Holden, in Australia.

In July 2000 launched the Industrial Complex of Gravataí in Rio Grande do Sul, one of the world's most modern factories. Made in Gravataí, the Celta – a derivative low cost from the Corsa – was also the pioneer in the Brazilian market in the e-commerce.

After Globalization and selling of Opel to Peugeot, vehicles like the Onix were made. After that most Designs came ready from Warren, mainly in Pick-Up sector or from Saic-GM in Shanghai, China. Other cars were Chevrolet Agile, Chevrolet Meriva, Chevrolet Kadett, Chevrolet Monza, Chevrolet Zafira among others.

In 2005, GM do Brasil sold a total of 365,259 vehicles, with a participation of 21.3% in the market. Their participation was 22.6%, at the SUV and commercial segment. The company's total production reached 559,345 units, considering the vehicles ready for the domestic and foreign markets. However, sales declined and market share in not better than 7th position in local ranking. General Motors is a market leader in telematics.

In 2005, export reached a value of US$ 1.6 billion, for the shipment of 114,994 complete knock-down (CKD) units and 125,678 vehicles ready for some 40 countries around the world. The main market for exports was Mexico, followed by Argentina, Venezuela, South Africa and other Latin American countries.

Most gasoline powered vehicles in Brazil are flexfuel, capable of operating on 100% gasoline, 100% ethanol or any blend of the two.

In the social area, the GMB focused activities through the General Motors Institute, created in 1993, its mission is to rescue the citizenship of children, youths and adults from poor communities, which are located especially close to industrial plants of the company. Its shares are primarily in education.

In 2015, the company had become the biggest auto seller to the segment. On 2021 a huge Investment of US$ 2 billion, were invested to update the manufacturing process with robots.

On December 2021, GM South America announced that it will hire around 250 engineers from various specialties to work mainly in the areas of the São Caetano do Sul Technological Centre, such as bodywork and structure, exterior, interior, chassis, engine, transmission, electronics, controllers, software and virtual simulation. An expansion, part of the 2020-2024 investment plan is ongoing.

Cars

See also: Automotive industry in Brazil

Cars currently manufactured:

• Chevrolet Onix
• Chevrolet Onix Plus
• Chevrolet Montana
• Chevrolet Spin
• Chevrolet S-10 (since 2012)
• Chevrolet TrailBlazer (since 2012)

Imported

• Chevrolet Bolt EV (on hold, due to chip shortage) – From the USA
• Chevrolet Cruze (sedan and hatchback) – From Argentina
• Chevrolet Camaro (coupé and convertible) – From the USA (on hold)
• Chevrolet Equinox – From Mexico
• Chevrolet Tracker – From Mexico (2014 to 2019)

External links

• Official website