And this goes for other
motorcyclists on
competitive countries,
the roads. They
such as Thailand, as
take the gap, but
well. Another issue is the
also allow the
cost of raw materials.
gap to be taken,
Steel, for instance, is
which improves
30% cheaper if imported
the traffic flow, and
from China, but import
shows a tolerance
constraints precludes
that Gautengers
this option. High taxes
could definitely
and bureaucracy also
learn from. And
add to the costs of
then of course
manufacturing in Brazil.
there is the FIFA
Port congestion at Santos
World Cup. South
and other logistics issues
Africa hosted this
are another burden.
in 2010, and Brazil
➲ The writer interviews Antonio Carlos Bento de Souza.
In his executive capacity at Sindipeças, Bento says that Brazil’s
Sounds familiar, doesn’t
is about to host
automotive industry needs to up its competitiveness, and to seek
it? Bento adds that the
the 2014 Cup. The
global opportunities
automotive industry
stadium in São
in Brazil is eminently
Paulo is quite a
obstacles, bureaucracy and labour
capable, and that it is looking at further
bit behind schedule, but the Brazilians
market issues.
investment in new equipment and
assure me that when the day comes it
processes, but as a quid pro quo it
will be ready, as “God looks after us”.
Finally, after four days in São Paulo I
requires support from the government
did detect some obvious differences
Being the most recent hosts of the
and the trade unions. However, he
between Brazil and South Africa. Firstly,
Soccer World Cup is the final similarity
stresses, industry is committed and
driving skills and road conditions. São
between Brazil and South Africa, but
forward looking.
Paulo is the biggest city in the southern
that is where the similarity ends. When
Listening to Bento, it was as if I
was listening to a South African
manufacturer. South Africa and Brazil
do indeed sing from the same hymn
sheet, and it is clear that the major
impediments are competitiveness
hemisphere, so traffic congestion is a
given, and would be far worse if the
drivers were not extremely capable. The
drivers in São Paulo are skilful and very
adept at taking the smallest gap, whilst
also being very mindful of the many
it comes to soccer skills, I am afraid
that I have to admit that there is no
similarity - the gap is vast.
Much more on Brazil in the next
few issues of aBr.
➲ Giant cranes stand imposingly at the port of Santos, Brazil’s busiest port, and the third largest in the southern hemisphere
| words in action
63
may 2014
Brazil Automotive Industry
Special Report