Honda starts works and brings new generation of Fit to the country

Honda officially began yesterday the works of his second Brazilian plant, which will be erected in Itirapina, São Paulo interior, to double the production capacity in the country. After meeting with the President Dilma Rousseff on Monday, the global head of the Japanese automaker, Takanobu Ito, participated yesterday the cornerstone ceremony, which marked the beginning of the construction of the factory, and took advantage of the event to confirm the on-site production of the new generation of compact Fit, launched in September in Japan and starting sales in the Brazilian market planned for mid-2014.
The future line should produce even the Vezel, SUV derived from the Fit which was presented last week at the Tokyo Motor Show. The nationalization of this car-it may have another name in Brazil-was also confirmed yesterday by the direction of the Honda. But, in this case, both the future line of Itirapina as factory of Sumaré (SP), which produces cars of the brand's 16 years, can afford to produce the model, Honda Directors informed.
While the second plant is not ready, the production of the Fit, including the new line to be launched in Brazil in 2014, will continue to be made in Sumaré, along with the City and Civic sedans. The company, however, does not rule out mounting the model on two units if necessary.
Investments in Itirapina are estimated at $ 1 billion and add production capacity of 120 thousand cars per year
More than three months after the announcement of the project, Honda celebrated yesterday, the beginning of construction work in Itirapina-approximately 200 kilometers from the capital of São Paulo-promising start production on site in two years. Speaking at the event, Takanobu Ito struggled to greet in the Portuguese authorities present-as the Governor Geraldo Alckmin (PSDB)-and, as a result, used English to emphasize the strategic importance of the country to the Group's businesses. "Brazil is the fourth largest market in the world and we expect an even greater growth in the coming years with the realization of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics," said the Executive, adding that the new plant answer "very well" to the goals of the Honda to sell more than 1 million cars in the Brazilian market within five years.
Later, the President of Honda joined Governor Alckmin, the Mayor of Itirapina, José Maria Candido (PMDB), and the Chairman of the automaker in South America, Masahiro Takedagawa, to bury a time capsule in the ground where the plant will be erected what has become tradition in ceremonies. R $ 1.00 bills, business cards and a copy of the local newspaper, among other objects, were inserted in the container, which will be opened in 50 years. Before that, in a good shorter term, Honda wants to establish as one of the top Asian brands in the Brazilian market, with a market share of around 5% until 2015. Currently, the brand accounts for 3.8% of sales of passenger cars and light utility vehicles in the country.
Investments in Itirapina are estimated at $ 1 billion and add a production capacity of 120 thousand cars per year. In future factory, Honda, in addition to car Assembly, painting lines, stamping and welding. The production of plastic components and engines will continue to be made only in the industrial park in Bradenton.
The automaker must close 2013 with the record of 140 thousand cars manufactured in the country. But to get to that volume, Honda should that make use of overtime in the factory of Sumaré, which is operating to capacity. This was the main reason that led the company to seek a new location, along with the restrictions on imports imposed by the new automotive system, named Innovate-Auto. In addition to this factory, the group still invests $ 100 million in the construction of a new research and Development Center, which comes into operation at the beginning of next year to adapt to the taste of the Brazilian consumer brand vehicles.