Renault reaffirms commitment to Brazil with further large investments.

• Investments of R$ 500 million (£133 million) from 2014 to 2019 will be allocated to the development of new vehicles in the Curitiba plant
• An additional R$ 240 million (£64 million) over the next 10 years will support the creation of a new distribution centre to supply Renault’s 275 outlets in Brazil and other markets.

Renault Group Chairman and Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn today announced a new investment cycle in Brazil in the amount of R$ 500 million (£133 million) over the 2014-2019 period. This investment will be channelled into the development of two new cars at Renault’s plant in Curitiba.  

“Since 2011, Brazil has been the brand’s second largest market after France and it is a priority in the Group’s global growth strategy”, says Carlos Ghosn. Renault Brazil successfully completed its previous investment plan and is now pursuing the ambition of expanding its domestic market share”.

Renault has now been producing in Brazil for fifteen years. With a market share of 6.7% at end-March, Renault is reaffirming its position as the fifth largest carmaker in the country. The Group is targeting an 8% market share by 2016.

Thanks to its previous investment plan of R$ 1.5 billion (£398 million), Renault strengthened its growth strategy in Brazil based on three pillars:

• Production capacity increase from 280,000 to 380,000 annual units at the Curitiba Ayrton Senna industrial complex
• Product range update with two brand-new models launched in 2013: Master and New Logan
• Dealership network expansion with 100 new stores opened in the last three years, totalling 275 sales outlets.

New national parts distribution centre

Renault also announced today the implementation of a new national parts distribution centre in the city of Quatro Barras – State of Paraná – with start of operations planned for the second half of 2015. This new centre represents an investment of R$ 240 million (£64 million) over the next 10 years and the creation of 250 jobs. Daily operations would include movement of 120 heavy-duty trucks.

In addition to meeting the needs of Renault dealerships nationwide, the new distribution centre will also supply parts and components to Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Central America, South Africa and France.

GM to invest four billion euro's in European operation

• GM Board of Directors makes clear commitment to Opel
• GM CEO Dan Akerson: “Opel has GM’s full support”
• Confirmation of “DRIVE!2022” plan for future
• Piece of Berlin Wall as symbol of solidarity

The General Motors (GM) Board of Directors used its meeting in Rüsselsheim to underscore its commitment to Opel and Germany. This commitment was also manifested in the approval of a comprehensive investment program: GM will invest 4 billion euros in Germany and Europe through 2016. “As a global automotive company GM needs a strong presence in Europe – in terms of design and development as well as manufacturing and sales,” said Dan Akerson, Chairman and CEO of GM, at a press briefing at Adam Opel Haus. “Opel is a key to our success and enjoys its parent company’s full support.”

The Board of Directors chose Germany for a regularly scheduled meeting to get first-hand information on the progress on its 10-year strategy DRIVE!2022 and the challenging European automotive environment. The Board also used this opportunity to meet with economists, unionists and politicians.

In addition to Akerson, Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, Supervisory Board Chairman Steve Girsky and Works Council Chairman Dr. Wolfgang Schäfer-Klug also spoke at today’s press conference in Rüsselsheim. The Board of Directors welcomed the guests of honor Minister President of Hesse Volker Bouffier, the American Ambassador Phil Murphy as well as Rüsselsheim Mayor Patrick Burghardt, who brought the city’s Guest Book for the visitors to sign.



Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, CEO of Adam Opel AG, emphasized that it is a great honor for Opel to be able to host the GM Board: “This Board has once again made very clear that our 10-year plan DRIVE!2022, that foresees our return to profitability by the middle of the decade, has our parent company’s complete support.” A large part of the investments are going into the Opel model offensive. Through 2016, Opel will introduce 23 new models and 13 new powertrains.

Opel Supervisory Board Chairman Steve Girsky said, “The Board of Directors is here to underline its solidarity and support. Opel has been part of GM since 1929 and is today more than ever a decisive element for the entire company’s innovative power. This partnership is stronger than it has ever been.”

Following the press briefing Dan Akerson revealed a piece of the Berlin Wall that belongs to Opel and will be placed in front of the Adam Opel Haus on Friedrich-Lutzmann-Ring. “This piece of the wall is a symbol of our corporate culture,” said CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “The symbol should remind everyone that we overcome any walls in our heads and those between different cultures and that we are now starting a new chapter in the history of Opel.”