With uncertain demand, Ford and Toyota resume production in Brazil

The American automaker Ford and Japan's Toyota resumed production at their factories in Brazil on Monday, 22, paralyzed by the pandemic of the new coronavirus. But for the industry, normality is still a long way off. Today, Toyota's factories in São Bernardo do Campo (which produces parts and engines), Indaiatuba (from Corolla) and Porto Feliz (also engines), in São Paulo, resume their activities. Sorocaba (which assembles models such as Etios) reopens next Friday, June 26. The operation began to be halted on March 24. Toyota has about 6,000 employees in Brazil. To reopen the factories, the Japanese automaker installed cameras that measure the body temperature of employees, determined the distance between employees and created a scale for entry into the production units. At Ford, the resumption begins today by the Camaçari plant in Bahia (which produces ka, ecosport and engines). The Taubaté unit, in the interior of São Paulo (engines and components), returns on July 1. Strict measures to prevent contagion by covid-19 respiratory infection are also being adopted. All employees who can, such as those in administrative areas, will continue to work remotely. Masks and safety glasses will be wearing mandatory, and factories will operate in just one shift. American GM, Germany's Volkswagen, China-Brazilian Caoa Chery and Korea's Hyundai have returned to business in recent weeks. The Japanese Honda, which has factories in Sumaré and Itirapina, in the interior of São Paulo, announced the resumption of production on July 13. If car manufacturing tries to re-establish itself, demand behavior is still unknown. The National Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (Anfavea) estimates that sales of cars, trucks, trucks and buses will fall 40% in Brazil this year, to 1.68 million vehicles. Public transport should give more space to the individual in the medium term, which favors car sales, but rising unemployment and falling incomes tend to limit consumer momentum. For automakers and the country, the path of resumption is long.