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Colombia Resumes Taxing Vehicles from Brazil
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT
Starting in 2025, vehicle exports from Brazil to Colombia will once again be taxed at a 54% rate. The tax exemption agreement, in place since 2017, will not be renewed. According to the Colombian government, this decision is designed to protect its local automotive industry, currently dominated by Renault. This is a setback for Brazilian manufacturers, who exported fewer vehicles in 2024, with a 30% drop compared to the previous year.
Source: Automotive Business …
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Marcopolo Volare Unveils Hybrid Ethanol 1.0 Micro Bus
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT
Fabio Ferraresi During Latbus 2024 in São Paulo, Volare unveiled its Attack 9 HVE, Brazil’s pioneering ethanol hybrid minibus. The project is being developed by Volare, a division of the Marcopolo group, in collaboration with Horse and WEG. Although presented in 2024, the official market release is scheduled for 2026.
The vehicle is powered by a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder ethanol engine supplied by Horse, which also functions as an electric generator. This generator supplies energy to recharge the batteries of WEG’s electric drive system. The internal combustion engine operates for only one-third of the vehicle’s total operational time, maintaining an optimal rotational speed of approximately 3,000 rpm.
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Brazil Heavy Duty Trailer Sales Remain High
The Brazil Heavy Trailers sector continues its upward trend in registration, with a 5.6% increase in sales during the first seven months of the year, compared to the same period in 2023.
According to data from the National Association of Road Implements Manufacturers (Anfir), 89,880 units were registered between January and July.
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Brazil Truck Production Grows Significantly
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT
Brazil truck production reached almost 64,40 units in the first half of this year, an increase of 36.5% over the same period in 2023
In June, 12,200 trucks were manufactured, a 74.1% increase compared to the same period last year.
Heavy truck sales also grew. In the first six months of this year, 56,800 trucks were sold, an increase of 8%. Last month, 10,000 trucks were sold, a 26.6% increase compared to June 2023.
Source: Automotive Business Read The A…
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JCB Invests To Double Its Size in Latin America
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT
Fabio Ferraresi JCB has unveiled the largest investment in its history in Latin America. It will inject US$ 100 million into its Latin American operations with the goal of doubling its size in the region by 2030.
The majority of the resources, US$ 70 million, will be allocated to factory expansion. According to JCB, US$ 30 million will be invested in the modernization of the Sorocaba (SP) facility.
An additional US$ 10 million is earmarked for the development of new products and the localization of certain equipment. Another US$ 10 million will be directed towards the distributor network.
The company says this investment is expected to generate 1,000 new jobs: 300 direct and 700 indirect. Currently, JCB employs 600 people in Latin America, most of whom are based in Sorocaba, which serves as the production hub for the entire region.
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Agrishow 2024 Reports US$ 2.6 Billion in Business
Fabio Ferraresi Agrishow 2024 posted R$ 13.6 billion (US$ 2.6 Billion) in business, 2.4% higher than that recorded in 2023.
With 520,000 square meters and 800 booths, the almost three-decade-old event in Ribeirão Preto (SP) received 195,000 people for five days, from small, medium and large Brazilian producers to representatives of international companies. Four representatives of our PSR senior team in South America attended the Show to gather information and data.
Considered one of the largest open-air fairs in the world focused on agribusiness, Agrishow is not only a thermometer of the country’s economic activity but also a showcase of the latest in field technology, from agriculture to livestock.
In addition to large harvesters, planters, and state-of-the-art tractors–including electrically powered models—exhibitors displayed innovations in robots and drones, with more and more applications in farming and features such as greater load capacity and remote control.
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Heavy Rains Batter Brazilian OEM Operations
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT
Recent heavy rainfall in Rio Grande do Sul has led to production disruptions in many automotive OEM operations located in the region, including GM, AGCO, Marcopolo, John Deere, Randon, and auto parts manufacturers like Fras-le. Despite this, automakers and auto parts companies are gaining control over production operations. However, logistical challenges persist, raising concerns.
Both Anfavea, representing automakers, and Sindipeças, representing the components sector, express worry about the production flow from these companies in Rio Grande do Sul, which serve domestic and international demands, presenting an unpredictable aspect currently.
The initial expectation for vehicle production was to remain steady despite the rains, as Gravataí and the Serra Gaúcha region, where most automakers operate, remain largely unaffected. However, parts production in Porto Alegre faced important disruptions due to many manufacturers being located in flood-affected areas in the region and the transportation from production areas to OEMs was severely affected. Some OEMs—such as GM, Stellantis and Volkswagen–already announced temporary plant shutdowns.
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John Deere Announces Investments in Brazil
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT
Fabio Ferraresi John Deere, has announced the acquisition of the condominium housing the company’s regional office in Indaiatuba (SP) and the Parts Distribution Center for South America (SA-PDC) in Campinas (SP), along with adjacent land for future expansion. The company also recently has acquired two plots in the Montenegro Industrial District (RS). These investments are part of the company’s ongoing commitment to development and expansion in the national market.
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Volvo To Begin Testing Heavy EV Trucks
Volvo has received authorization from the Ministry of Transportation to begin testing its heavy electric trucks in Brazil. The vehicles will be part of a study and will be able to operate in urban areas, metropolitan regions, and short to medium-distance intercity transportation, aiming to evaluate their performance and impact on pavement in this type of operation.
The transport companies ReiterLog and Ritmo Logística will be the first to operate the Volvo electric trucks. Preliminary results from the study, led by Senatran (National Traffic Department), with technical coordination from Inprotran (National Institute of Traffic and Safety Projects), in partnership with Volvo, Prometeon, UNB, and UFRGS, indicate benefits of operating zero-emission CO2 vehicles, such as high energy efficiency, absence of noise, low vibration levels, and increased driver comfort.
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Car OEMs Announce US$ 14.3 Billion Investment in Brazil
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT
Fabio Ferraresi In the past three months, the aggregate investments announced by automotive manufacturers in Brazil have reached a total of US$ 14.3 billion. The largest individual investment came from Stellantis, committing US$ 6 billion to the country between 2025 and 2030, marking a record sum among major vehicle manufacturers operating within the nation. A significant portion of this investment will be directed towards the development of flex-hybrid models.
This investment influx began in December, with Renault earmarking US$ 500 million for the production of a new SUV in Paraná, featuring engine variants that blend ethanol, gasoline, and electricity. In January this year, General Motors (GM) unveiled investments totaling US$ 1.4 billion aimed at product rejuvenation.
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