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Chinese automaker requested authorization in Mover, will maintain factory in Catalão from 2027, will create a research center with R$ 120 million and will also expand infrastructure for electric cars in three Brazilian capitals by 2030
GAC in Brazil has filed the request for authorization in the Green Mobility and Innovation Program, Mover, and maintained the plan to start vehicle production in Catalão, Goiás, in 2027. With an expected investment of US$ 1.3 billion by 2030, the strategy includes a factory, technological research, and 242 fast charging points.
GAC in Brazil prepares production of hybrid, electric, and combustion cars
The manufacturing will be carried out in partnership with HPE Automotores, a Brazilian company responsible for producing Mitsubishi and Suzuki vehicles in the country since 1998. The industrial operation will be set up in Catalão and will have an annual capacity of up to 50,000 vehicles.
The future line will allow GAC to produce combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles in Brazil. According to the company, it will be the first Chinese manufacturer to establish a complete production structure for these three categories in the country.
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The operation will combine national and imported components. The project also includes investments in infrastructure, technical training of workers, and development of local suppliers, expanding the participation of the Brazilian chain in vehicle manufacturing.
For Lu Guojie, vice president of GAC International, the partnership will bring together HPE’s local production experience with the technology developed globally by the Chinese automaker.
The CEO of HPE Automotores, Mauro Correia, stated that the cooperation represents a new chapter for the company, which has 100% national capital and has been manufacturing vehicles in Brazil for over 25 years.
Application for Mover entry expands industrial strategy
The application for qualification in Mover is part of GAC’s plan to build a long-term operation in the Brazilian market.
The federal program seeks to stimulate investments, energy efficiency, innovation, and strengthening of the national automotive industry.
According to Alex Zhou, CEO of GAC Brazil, the automaker’s intention goes beyond car manufacturing. The company intends to develop local engineering, adapt technologies to the Brazilian market, and strengthen its supplier network.
Among the mentioned solutions are flex systems and advanced electrification technologies. The company also expects to generate qualified jobs and incorporate Brazil into its global expansion strategy.
The planning foresees a total investment of US$ 1.3 billion in the country by 2030. Production in Catalão, scheduled to start in 2027, will be one of the main stages of this project.
Research center will have an investment of R$ 120 million
GAC is also preparing to set up a Research and Development Center in Brazil, with the participation of Brazilian engineers.
The unit will be one of the company’s two research centers located outside China. The other operates in Europe.
Among the evaluated projects are flex engines and REEV technology, an acronym for extended-range electric vehicle. In this system, the traction is electric, while an auxiliary combustion generator helps to extend the range.
In an interview with EXAME, Zhang Fan, global vice president of Research and Development at GAC, stated that the company will allocate R$ 120 million to research and development initiatives in Brazil.
Since the creation of its research center in 2006, the automaker has invested 50 billion yuan, about R$ 25 billion, in innovation. During this period, it has filed more than 19,000 patent applications.
Partnership plans 242 fast charging points by 2030
Another front of GAC in Brazil will be the expansion of infrastructure for electric vehicles. A partnership with GreenV and the mobility platform 99 plans the installation of 242 fast charging points by 2030.
The equipment will be distributed among the brand’s dealerships and strategically located hubs in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília.
GAC will provide the fast chargers. GreenV will make the investments and take over the operation of the infrastructure.
99 will offer special conditions for its partner drivers to use the points through the app.
The initiative is the first joint action between GAC and the platform since the automaker joined the Alliance for Sustainable Mobility, formed by 31 companies.
Data from the Brazilian Electric Vehicle Association indicates that the country has 21,060 public and semi-public charging points.
The new network aims to expand access to recharging and reduce obstacles to the use of electrified vehicles.
GAC operates in more than 100 countries. In 2024, it produced 1.9 million vehicles and sold 2 million units, including 455,000 electrified models.
Since entering the Brazilian market, it has launched five models, opened a parts distribution center in Cajamar, São Paulo, started expanding the dealership network, and established partnerships with Inmetro, Unicamp, UFSC, and UFSM.
This article was prepared based on information from GAC Brazil, EXAME, and the Brazilian Electric Vehicle Association, with data, numbers, and statements preserved as per the consulted material.
