Volkswagen do Brasil

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Volkswagen do Brasil Ltda.
Type subsidiary
Industry Automotive industry
Founded 1953
Headquarters São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil
Area served South America
Products automobiles
Owner(s) Volkswagen Group
Employees 22,500 (2013)

Volkswagen do Brasil Ltda. is a subsidiary arm of Volkswagen Group, established in 1953 by Danish-born Chris Tronbjerg, who started out with assembling the VW Type 1 from parts imported from Germany. They have produced over 20 million vehicles in Brazil, having been market leader for the majority of their sixty years in existence. The Type 1 ("Fusca") had a 24-year run as the number one in sales in Brazil, beginning in 1958. From 1987 until today (including 2012) the Gol has been in first place in sales for 26 years straight.[1]

History

The Volkswagen assembly plant in Brazil was established after the Brazilian government prohibited the import of fully built-up vehicles in 1953.[2]

Brazilian developed Volkswagens

The 2003 VW Gol 1.6 Total Flex was the first full flexible-fuel vehicle launched in Brazil, capable of running on any blend of gasoline and ethanol (E100).
VW Type 2 TotalFlex (Known as "Kombi").
VW Polo 2 TotalFlex.

Many of its models were designed especially for Brazil:

Volkswagen was also the only manufacturer to keep manufacturing ethanol powered vehicles after others withdrew in early 1997.[3]

In 2012, Volkswagen built 852,086 units (including CKD kits), making them the biggest producer in the country and second in sales.[1] Volkswagen operates four plants, in São Bernardo do Campo, Taubaté, and São Carlos. The São Carlos plant only makes engines.[1]

AutoLatina

Also of some interest in Volkswagen do Brasil's history is the AutoLatina arrangement between Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen Group, from 1987 to 1995.

Trucks and Buses

Volkswagen do Brasil was also responsible for the development and creation of Volkswagen Caminhões Ltda, (the Volkswagen Trucks and Buses division) from 1979 until 1999, when the operation was taken over by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. In December 2008 it was announced that Volkswagen Trucks and Buses was to be sold to MAN SE.

CEOs of Volkswagen do Brasil Ltda.

  • Chris Tronbjerg (1953–198?)
  • Herbert Demel (1997–2002)
  • Paul S. Fleming (2002–2004)
  • Hans-Christian Maergner (2004–2007)
  • Thomas Schmall (2007–)

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Calmon, Fernando (2013-04-02). Just-Auto global news (Aroq Limited). 
  2. ↑ Shapiro, Helen (Winter 1991). "Determinants of Firm Entry into the Brazilian Automobile Manufacturing Industry, 1956-1968". The Business History Review 65 (4, The Automobile Industry): 884. 
  3. ↑ Feltrin, Ariverson (1998-02-18). "Manufacturers want alcohol program". Gazeta Mercantil Online (São Paulo, Brazil: Gazeta Mercantil). 

External links

Volkswagen Passenger Cars, a marque of the Volkswagen Group, car timeline, South American market, 1980–present
Type 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 012
Economy car Gol / Parati I Gol / Parati IF Gol / Parati II Gol / Parati / Gol Country III Gol / Parati / Gol Country IV
Gol V
Voyage / Gacel Amazon / Senda Polo Classic Voyage V
Supermini Fox / CrossFox
SpaceFox / Suran
Polo IV Polo IVF
Small family car Pointer Golf III Golf IV Golf IVF
Apollo Logus Bora Vento / Jetta V Vento / Jetta VI
Large family car Passat I Passat IV Passat V Passat VI Passat VII
Santana / Corsar / Carat / Quantum
Van Caddy III
Pickup truck Saveiro I Saveiro IF Saveiro II Saveiro III Saveiro IV Saveiro V
Amarok
Panel van Kombi
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