BMW announces five models that will produce in Santa Catarina

The German carmaker BMW began this Monday (16) preparations for the installation of its first plant in Latin America, in the city of Parati, North of Santa Catarina. The company put a plaque on the site to indicate the beginning of construction work.
Car production should begin in October 2014, and the plant should produce about 32 thousand vehicles per year, according to the brand. The maximum capacity should be achieved in three years.
In about 500 thousand square meters of constructed area, BMW should produce five models to supply the domestic market. The factory will have sectors of Assembly, welding, painting systems and logistics, as well as administrative and auxiliary buildings
1 Series models will be produced, the lowest-priced brand, series 3, which is the most sold by BMW in Brazil and in the world, the utilitáris X 3, besides the X1e Mini Cooper Countryman, crossovers more than Cooper.
According to the CEO of BMW Group Brazil, Arturo Piñeiro, prices must stay close to those who are already practiced in the market.
Releases
The automaker also made this Monday the official launch of the BMW 320i ActiveFlex. According to the company, this is the first vehicle the automaker in flex world.
The launching ceremony was the presentation at BMW i3, Brazil first mass-produced electrical by brand, unveiled worldwide last July and promised to reach the country next year.
Investment
The release ceremony started at this 11:15 the factory Monday and was attended by the CEO of BMW Group Brazil, Arturo Piñeiro, and Ludwig Willisch, Head of BMW for the Americas. The event had the participation of the Vice-President of the Republic, Michel Temer, the Governor of Santa Catarina Raimundo Colombo, and Minister of institutional relations Secretary of the Presidency, Ideli Salvatti, among other authorities.
Piñero stated that the work of Araquari factory is in the process of Foundation. The excavation began in May and ended in November. He hopes that the construction works are completed by September 2013.
According to the company, will be invested about 200 million euros ($ 640 million) in the initial phase of installation. Should be generated approximately 1.3 thousand direct jobs and at least 2.5 thousand indirect jobs in the region, provides for the BMW.
Until this second (16), 60 people had already been employed in the company of Araquari. "There are many countries that have Joie de vivre as Brazil. People here know how to work hard and have Joie de vivre ", Ludwig Willisch ends.
Willisch said that by 2015, the company intends to enter into a partnership with education centres to develop a vocational system. The goal is to qualify and prepare people who can occupy management positions and leadership in the institution.
Besides the factory, being built a training center in Joinville, also in the North of Santa Catarina. The site will house an assembly line like that will be installed in the neighboring town. The intention is to qualify prospective employees who will work in Paraty.
Innovation and Exchange
At the time of posting of the installation Protocol of the factory, on 8 April, the President of BMW Brazil said that, last year, were sold about 17,479 brand vehicles in the country. On occasion, Piñeiro emphasized that the company's presence in Brazil will be an "opportunity to generate innovation and exchange of culture and technology."
On 24 September, the Environment Foundation (Fatma) of Santa Catarina approved the preliminary license for installation of BMW's factory in the State. The viability of the enterprise was analysed from an environmental point of view, and the construction in the area chosen was approved.
The Court granted the preliminary license after five months of analysis. The report indicated 28 points that indicate changes in the routine of the region. The main one is urban mobility. For the construction of the factory, several environmental projects, including compensation, should be put into practice.
According to the document, the entire structure of the BMW factory will be based on the maximum capacity of production. The productive structure is divided into four sections: bodywork, logistics, painting and Assembly.
Present in 13 countries
The first company of the BMW Group was founded in 1916, in Munich, Germany. The group is owner of the brands BMW, Mini, Motorrad and Rolls Royce. Has 29 units in 13 countries of four continents.
In Brazil, the company set up a subsidiary in 1995, and a financial services unit in 1999. Since 2010, the group already produces motorcycles at Manaus (AM). On site, are made four models of motorcycles.
According to the automaker's direction, emerging economies (such as Brazil, Russia, India and South Korea) have an important role in the company's growth targets.