Fiat-Chrysler (FCA), leader in Brazil with 18.8% of the market in 2019, is now following its investment plans in the country, right after a press conference in Betim.
According to the president of FCA Latam, Antonio Filosa, the automaker confirmed that it will make six launches in 2020, as the new Fiat Strada pickup should hit stores in April.
As well as hybrid versions of the Jeep Compass and the Jeep Renegade, in addition to the electric Fiat 500 and the RAM 1500 pickup and a new Jeep model.
Filosa also anticipated that a new 1.0 and 1.3 turbo engine factory in Betim, metropolitan region of BH, as it will start operating later this year.
“We will have two great FCA moments in Betim this year. Firstly, the launch of the new generation of the Strada pickup truck in the second quarter, which is the leader.
In such a way that great excitement for Betim is the new turbo engine factory, which starts producing at the end of this year”, he said.
Largest in Latin America
The new facility will generate 1,200 new jobs at the Polo Automotivo de Betim, which will become the largest powertrain factory in Latin America.
After the opening of the new turbo engine factory at the end of 2020, next year the plant in Betim will start producing two other unpublished Fiat sports utility vehicles.
A new line of turbocharged engines should debut in the new generation of the Toro pickup, which should hit the market in the first half of 2021.
Despite the obvious optimism of the FCA, the current historic high of the dollar in Brazil and the price of some commodities are worrying the president of the automaker.
According to Filosa, at the Betim factory, 90% of the parts used in the cars are made in Brazil, however, many of the brand's suppliers buy materials in dollars.
“Despite the high dollar, the price of some commodities, especially precious metals, is sky high today, this is a big problem because it gets out of control.”
According to him, the contribution of R$ 14 billion announced by the automaker's headquarters for FCA Latam will be until 2024, of which R$ 8.5 billion will be allocated to the plant in Betim.
In short, it remains unchanged and may even be increased after the merger with the French group. “With the merger, other investment opportunities will surely arise”, guaranteed Filosa.
