Within the range of the party, Volks matures decisions

To celebrate its 60 years in Brazil, Volkswagen appealed to almost sentimental relationship that many have set up with the cars of the brand. So, the tone of the party was the contrast between the old and the current Beetle. But the link between the old and new also involves important decisions. In six months, the group will define whether it is worthwhile to produce cars of the Audi brand in the country and in nine months will turn off the van, vehicle of greater longevity in the history of the automotive world.
With a few minutes to the start of the feast that VW has prepared Wednesday night. Michael Macht, responsible for worldwide production of the German group, had already given by ended the conversation with a small group of journalists. The Executive, who came to the country for the celebration, had already responded on the Audi factory, one of the issues that have appeared in interviews with executives at VW. A reporter from the German news agency DAPD interrupted. "I need to do one last question: and what will happen to the estate?"
Sitting on the couch in one of the rooms of the stately building of Júlio Prestes Station, next to the lobby where the thousand guests expected, Macht and Thomas Schmall, President of Volkswagen Brazil, looked at each other and for the first time in the interview showed embarrassment, almost a sadness. Both stopped talking for a few seconds. Schmall was the first to give the answer that I expected: with 56 years of Brazil, the estate will be produced at the end of the year.
Information not surprised, but yes the dismay that took account of the two executives. For the first time, the direction of Volkswagen admitted that the vehicle with which inaugurated the production in Brazil has the days counted. The design of the Estate does not allow the installation of airbags or antilock brakes, both mandatory in all vehicles produced in the country from January 1, 2014.
And what the company will do to fill that gap? Second Schmall, attempts to fit other models that can replace the segment occupied by the Estate there, therefore, a single replacement, he said. "The estate is a unique vehicle," he said.
It is even an unprecedented case. More than 1.5 million Vans were produced since the release in September 1957. Its price, or cost-benefit analysis, explains the success. In the standard version or the van, for up to nine passengers or a ton of cargo, the simplest model costs $ 48 thousand. It is almost half the price of models that, in some ways, act in the same category, as Renault Master, Fiat Ducato, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
No one disputes that these competitors are far more attractive, comfortable, sophisticated. But belongs to the Estate the leadership, with 33% of the segment. In 2012, were 26 thousand Charters, more than Vw sold in models like the Space Fox. More than the Ford Focus sold.
The end of the line for a product that sells itself is the only bad news that Brazil's leads Macht. The country remains the third market for the group, with 852 thousand vehicles produced in 2012. Although Fiat remains in the lead in the domestic market, the volume produced by Volks kept at the largest manufacturer. Production in Brazil is indispensable to the German group's goal of reaching the world leadership among vehicle manufacturers in 2018.
Is a result that contrasts with what Macht has seen in Europe. "Before the crisis, the Italian market, for example, was 2.5 million a year. Now stands at 1.4 million. And this happened in a few years, "said the Executive.
As for Audi, the Mexicans lead for now, advantage over Brazil. The German group has decided to install a factory in Mexico while still thinks it is worth doing the same in Brazil. In six months will leave the decision, according to Macht, aware that competitors such as BMW have announced projects of factories in the country.
The celebration of 60 years has led to the audience of the Sala São Paulo dealers, suppliers and authorities as the President of BNDES, Luciano Coutinho. The tone of the speeches of Brazilians, especially, was of sentimentality and memorabilia, like the Lieutenant Governor Afif, who now leads the grandchildren for walks in the same fusquinha that their children were traveling.