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Extract from an article published on 20th October 2001 at http://detnews.com/2001/autos/0110/22/autos-323202.htm
quote:
Most of the world's big automakers have set up shop in Brazil in recent years, tapping a huge market and bringing state-of-the-art expertise to Brazilian engineers.
"Brazil is a low-cost place to manufacture cars, but it has as good skills as you would get in the U.K.," said Creighton Brown, former manager of the McLaren Formula One team and now chairman of South American Sports Cars Ltd.
Next year, Brown's company plans to invest some $25 million to start producing British TVR sportscars under license in a new factory in the southern city of Joinville.
The British brand's $90,000 Tuscan model, featured in John Travolta's recent movie Swordfish, will be first off the line at the factory, built next to a 2.6-mile test track. The entry-level Tamora roadster will follow, Brown said.
He estimates initial sales of 200 cars a year in Brazil, plus 120 for export to other Latin American countries, rising to more than 400 for Brazil and 240 for export in four years. As TVR makes no left-hand-drive models in Britain, the Joinville factory could even export to the United States.
"The first priority is to make cars for sale in Brazil and the rest of Latin America," said Brown. "We're also considering the United States, but that will depend on TVR."
Be interesting to see what price they offer them for especially if they have cheap labour involved. It should mean their overheads are lower etc. You look at a majority of cars in britain and then price the same car overseas. Mr W (TVR boss) could be loosing out as most of us over here would look at buying from a cheaper country. If it got me a Tuscan at a cheaper price I would certainly consider it esp if what they are saying is true that the workmanship is the same and also being looked after by MaClaren
I know why it makes sense to build a factory in Brazil; however, if Creighton Brown thinks he can sell enough cars in politically unstable South America, he is crazy. He better have a marketing plan that involves the politically stable continent of North America as well!
Come on, TVR! Sell some in the USA!
Come on, TVR! Sell some in the USA!
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