GM will stop producing combustion cars by 2040 to focus on electric cars. Until then, prices for both types of vehicle will be basically the same, so the consumer will look for quality and autonomy and not for price.
Marina Willisch is a member of a group of young leaders of huge companies in the country. The director studied in Germany and has a degree in law, working in the legal, tax and financial areas, where she spent 15 years in the automotive industry. Marina joined Mercedes-Benz do Brasil in 2003 and, ten years later, was invited by GM to be tax director. According to the young woman, in a few years electric cars and combustion cars will be able to be purchased for the same price.
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According to Marina, 2021 was a year of overcoming challenges and evolution for GM. The continuity of the pandemic and the shortage of components for combustion cars were one of the main impasses. However, the company faced these challenges and forged ahead.
According to the director, regarding the creation of technologies for the country, any decisive process to bring investment, innovation or creation of a product, is done collectively. General Motors listens to all areas so that the best way to reach the expected result can be studied. The new Montana, for example, is an exceptional product. It is one of the combustion cars that will please people who carry a lot of things and have a large family.
GM's tax director cannot provide further details to avoid spoilers for the vehicle. The Chevrolet brand is very well accepted by the Brazilian consumer and has strong engineering. Brazil has a great human capacity, with very technical, committed and specialized people, which gives GM a great competitive advantage.
GM's global goal intends to bring more electric cars to the domestic market
Regarding the arrival of electric cars, Marina claims that she would not risk making predictions, however, for General Motors, the objectives are: zero accidents, congestion and emissions. This is a global plan that has been put into practice since 2017 and of which Brazil is a part.
“In five years, there will be electric cars with great prices, which can be compared with combustion cars. The choice will be made by the type of product, not by the price. The technology already exists, however mass production requires a greater investment”, highlights the director.
It is necessary to show the benefits of electric cars. GM's tax director claims that she has already left with a Bolt that had 350 km of autonomy and arrived home with 370 km, and says that it is necessary for the consumer to have this type of experience.
GM will stop producing combustion cars to focus on electric cars
Combustion cars will last in the country for a long time, and that is not a problem. The company is improving the technology of these engines. With the federal innovation program “Inovar Auto”, GM reduced the emissions of its cars by 22%.
With the new phase of the PL7 emission reduction program, which came into force this year, an average improvement in energy efficiency of 43% was achieved. Either way, all automakers in the industry will switch to electric cars.
NOTE: The data collected to produce this article was taken from the series of interviews 'Estadão Mobilidade Insights', with industry leaders
