GOVERNMENT BACKS DOWN AND KEEPS DEADLINE FOR ABS AND AIRBAG

On the negative repercussion, the Minister Guido Mantega (Farm) backed down and announced that it will be maintained the requirement that all cars manufactured in the country from January 1 contain airbag and ABS brakes. the Minister, who claimed to be concerned about inflation and layoffs, said yesterday that the inclusion of security items will result in increased 4% to 8% in the consumer pricebut with automakers that workers will keep their jobs. The rule that requires the installation of the equipment is from 2009. The exception may be the estate, whose order was announced by Volkswagen, since the vehicle does not support the installation of equipment. There is a possibility that the utility is produced for another two or three years, without the items. According to Mantega, no competitor objected. Models like Celta, Gol G4 and Uno Mille must be extinct.
The Finance Minister, Guido Mantega, reported yesterday that will be maintained the requirement that all cars manufactured in the country contain antilock brakes and airbags from i. January. Last week, the Minister said that the Government was studying the possibility of postponing this requirement for 2016.
Mantega arguments to defend the postponement of the deadline, set in 2009, were the impact on inflation, caused by the increase of prices of cars, and possible layoffs, the end of production of some cars. The repercussions, however, was quite negative-the general complaint was that the Government was putting inflation ahead of the safety of drivers.
Yesterday, the Minister reported that the inclusion of security items will result in an increase of 4% to 8% of the price to the consumer, but is said to have been settled with automakers that workers will remain employed.
The only exception to the requirement of airbag and ABS brake can be the Kombi, whose order was announced by Volkswagen manufacturer, since the vehicle does not support the installation of equipment.
The Government will evaluate the possibility of allowing the vehicle to be produced by another two or three years, without the items.
According to Mantega, no competing company opposed the exception for survival to the vehicle. Therefore, the Government will make a decision. "It's not truck, automobile. Is an estate and has no similar, "said the Minister. Garros with great acceptance in the market, such as Celtic, Gol G4 and Uno Mille also are unable to include such equipment, and must be "extinct".
According to the President of the ABC metal workers Union, Rafael Marques, a measure in favour of continuity of the Kombi could have a positive effect for 4 thousand jobs. "I can tell you that that evolved in the meeting," he said. The Union also argues that the rules be imposed gradually "Insist on establishing new rules for up to 95% (of vehicles) and allow the models to adapt to this new legislation," he said.
According to Mahmood, 20 thousand workers may be affected if, in addition to the van, the production lines of other models-as the Gol G4 and the Mille, for example-are discontinued because of the new rules. "Some companies are saying they will absorb part of these workers, but it's thrown us to do mobilization if there is resignation in our base," he said.
The dôs President of the National Association of Automotive vehicle manufacturers (Anfavea), Luiz Moan, made a point of saying that the postponement of the deadline for the requirement of safety items was not a request of the entity, but an appeal of officials linked to the production of the Kombi, which moved to avoid layoffs.
Lower tax. To take care of prices, the Government assesses reduce import tax of auto parts that are not manufactured in the country. The Anfavea asked the Government that this tax is reduced to 16% or 18% to 2% for all auto parts that are not produced in Brazil. Next Monday, in a new meeting between Government and businessmen, to leave a decision on the matter.
According to Mantega, too; will be discussed at the meeting al: ternativas to ensure that the sector close 2014 with increased: of production towards 2013./COLLABORATED LUiZ GUILHERME GERBELU