Volkswagen is a global company. They have divisions all across the globe: VW China, VW USA, and many others. But no other division of Volkswagen comes close to achieving the legend and reputation of Volkswagen do Brasil, the Brazilian- and later South American- arm of the Volkswagen brand.
In the early 1950s, Brazil began to promote manufacture within the country. Imports of many products were prohibited, including built-up vehicles. As such, in 1953, Volkswagen would set up an assembly plant in Sao Paolo, where knock-down kits would be brought and then assembled to form ‘Fuscas’ (The Beetle) and ‘Kombis’ (The T1). The operation would prove to be a successful venture, as in only two years they had assembled nearly 3000 vehicles by hand.
However, in the mid-1950s, Brazil began to implement more laws regarding imports, that made this venture less profitable. As such, Volkswagen would begin construction of a full-fledge factory in Sao Paolo. Work would begin in early 1957 and by September, the factory would be ready. Initially, Volkswagen only built the Kombi in Brazil, but in 1959, they also began production of the Fusca at the same plant. By this point, most of the parts used in these cars were locally produced, rather than being imported from Wolfsburg.
Due to Brazil’s environment and the demands of the Brazilian public being different to the European market, Volkswagen would soon start to give VW Brazil more control over their own market. This independence would result in some of the best models in Volkswagen’s history. One of the first cars to be produced exclusively for the Brazilian market was the SP2 sports car. As the Karmann Ghia got older, VW Brazil produced the SP2 to replace it. They would follow up the SP2 with the Brasilia, a hatchback based on a concept created in Europe. VW Brazil hoped that the Brasilia would become their first model to be sold worldwide. However, Volkswagen would look elsewhere when replacing the Beetle, producing the Golf instead.
Although the import restrictions were lifted in the mid-1950s, there are still vehicles being sold by VW Brazil that were originally designed and constructed by them. The Gol hatchback, and its commercial cousin, the Saveiro, still reign supreme across Brazil, even though the Gol’s production came to an end this year.
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