40% of inertia and rescue of the parent companies: what the Brazilian manufacturers are facing



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All over the world, the automotive industry is preparing for a technological breakthrough, requiring radical changes in industry structures, which implies significant investments. "The automakers need a suitable housing for the new market, which will focus on electric cars, autonomous mobility, connected and shared," said Paulo Cardamone, president of Bright Consulting.

This is perhaps the explanation of the speech of the world president. Mary Barra of General Motors (GM) recently referred to operations in South America. "We will not continue to invest to lose money."

There are also fears on the market that Ford, which claims to have losses in Brazil since 2013, possibility of plant closures – movement repeatedly denied by the company. In the United States, the company undergoes a major restructuring and decides to gradually stop the production of small cars and focus only on SUVs and vans, more profitable products.

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Ford is pressured by the ABC Metalworkers Union to bring a new project to the São Bernardo do Campo plant, where it produces only the Fiesta, a low-cost model for sales, and trucks. Workers fear for the future of unity, the oldest group in the country, and will meet the company's president in South America, Lyle Watters, next week.

In Taubaté, Ford recently attempted to cut 350 jobs through a Voluntary Separation Program (VSP), but received only 128 subscriptions. Last month, workers stopped production for three days to protest 12 layoffs. At present, the parties are negotiating an alternative to the surplus of staff, which, according to the company, was caused by the drop in exports to Argentina.

Cardamone does not think that some manufacturers will leave Brazil, one of the few markets still in business. growth potential despite their crises. "What should happen are capacity adjustments, with the closing of factories more empty, but businesses will continue in the country."

The automotive chain is long and employs more than 1.3 million people in Brazil

one of the most favored sectors by governments, the automotive sector represents a long chain of production that starts with the planting of cotton used in banks, the extraction of iron ore for steel production and continues until the autoescolas, which offers courses of driving to builders.

According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers (Anfavea), the automotive chain employs 1.3 million people and contributes 22% to industrial GDP. Last year, the sector generated $ 55 billion in taxes and duties.

Some factories can cause significant damage in the cities where they are installed when the doors are closed. The São Caetano do Sul GM plant, trapped in an area in the middle of the richest city in the state of São Paulo, was responsible in 2018 for 24% of the ICMS collected by the municipality, for a amount of about 80 million rubles. According to ISS, it paid 6.5 million rand, or 3% of the total, according to preliminary data from the Department of Municipal Finance. The unit employs approximately 8,000 workers.

The São José dos Campos (SP) subsidiary, which reached an agreement last week on the reduction of wages and other labor rights with about 4.8,000 employees, is the third largest company in the world. city, behind Revap and Embraer.

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In Gravataí (RS), the manufacturer collaborates with 45% of the ICMS collection and operates in a modern complex of 16 car parts manufacturers installed around the badembly line. Together, GM and its suppliers employ 8,000 people.

"The Brazilian car industry is very advanced, uses a lot and uses new technologies, but it could bring more," Cardamone said. For him, in terms of quality, the national cars are still behind compared to what we see in more developed countries.

Lack of responsiveness among Brazilian automakers reaches 40%

The scenario that suggests a break in the current model of vehicle production occurs at a time when most car manufacturers in Brazil operate at about 40% d & # 39; inactivity. The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers (Anfavea) expects production of 3 million vehicles this year, against an installed capacity of 5 million units.

In addition to the decline in the domestic market recorded in recent years, the sharp reduction in exports to Argentina is collaborating with the low utilization of capacity. According to Kearney, a company has few positive results if it operates at less than 75% of its production capacity. "And it's a problem especially in large companies, which have several factories in the country."

Wong also points out that the tax benefits granted by the federal and state governments in recent years are ending, which should hurt the situation of several companies.

+ READ ALSO: Analysis – GM must return to profits, but let's face it, it will not leave Brazil

A movement that has acquired an international reputation and which also favors Brazilian subsidiaries is constituted by partnerships between distinct brands in order to share investments in new technologies, in particular those involving electric cars and independents. Volkswagen and Ford have recently entered into a partnership for the joint development of commercial vehicles, starting with a van. In the region, the vehicle should be manufactured in Argentina and exported to Brazil.

Some brands are already turning around

Although the resumption of sales is still slow, some brands expect positive results for the country this year. . Pablo Di Si, chairman of the company, said that in the red since 2015, Volkswagen expects to return to profits in the region this year.

Last year, the group was close to balance. Bernardo do Campo and Taubaté are working at full capacity. The São José dos Pinhais (PR) plant is starting production this month of the country's first SUV, T-Cross, and Di Si is expected to occupy the entire plant soon.

FCA Fiat Chrysler – which made a profit in Brazil in 2018, driven by Jeep operations in Goiana (PE) – will invest 14 billion rubles by 2022, a good chunk of the new products.

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