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Brazilian Elon Musk Wants to Build a Factory from Scratch to Produce an Innovative Electric Car in Brazil: the Lecar 459, a Sedan with Range Extender Combining Battery and Combustion Engine.
Sooretama, in Espírito Santo, could become the new center of attention for the national automotive industry. And behind this is not an international giant, but a local entrepreneur who decided to self-proclaim himself the Brazilian Elon Musk. Flávio Figueiredo Assis wants to build a factory from scratch to produce an innovative electric car in Brazil: the Lecar 459, a sedan with a range extender that combines battery and combustion engine, aims to enter the automotive market to outshine the range of the mini SUV Toyota Yaris Cross and win the hearts of Brazilians.
The proposal is bold. R$ 870 million is promised in investments, with a projected inauguration in 2026. But so far, the car only exists on a computer. Even so, there are those who believe in the project. Toyota Yaris Cross
The Factory That Promises to Shake Up the Automotive Market and Generate Thousands of Jobs
The plan for Lecar is to build a 100,000-square-meter plant, with the capacity to manufacture up to 120,000 vehicles per year. The space would be sufficient to directly employ 1,500 people and generate an additional 3,000 indirect jobs, according to the company. For comparison, the Honda factory in Itirapina (SP) has exactly the same capacity. Toyota Yaris Cross
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Of the total amount, R$ 240 million would be allocated to the construction of the manufacturing unit and another R$ 630 million for automation of the assembly line. Despite the optimism, Lecar is still in the fundraising phase with banks and private investors.
Assis, when asked about the size of the bet, told the portal Autoesporte that he is not ashamed to propose something smaller than the billion-dollar investments of the major brands:
“I am not embarrassed to announce an investment well below that of other automakers because ours is feasible. We see manufacturers announcing billions and billions, but we do not see that in practice.”
Goodbye Yaris Cross, Lecar 459, the Sedan That Promises 1,000 km of Range
The star of the project is the Lecar 459. Although it is still limited to digital projections, the car already has well-defined specifications. It is an electric sedan with a flex generator engine, placing it in a category similar to extended-range hybrids. Toyota Yaris Cross
Under the hood (literally, since there is a combustion engine in front), there is a 1.0 turbo three-cylinder engine, developed by Horse, a joint venture between Renault and Geely. This engine only acts as a generator to charge the 18.4 kWh battery, which powers the electric motor installed on the rear axle. Toyota Yaris Cross
The result is a setup with 163 hp and 26.3 kgfm of torque in the electric motor, the same used in the Kardian SUV, recently launched by Renault. The combined power takes the sedan from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.9 seconds, with a promise of up to 100 km of 100% electric range and up to 1,000 km in total, according to the brand.
New Sedan Has Generous Trunk That Outperforms the Mini SUV Toyota Yaris Cross
The design of the 459 is also bold. The front is clean, without a grille, with sharp headlights and a futuristic look — although all of this may change, as the front engine will require ventilation. The rear follows a coupe line, with horizontal taillights that span from side to side.
In terms of dimensions, the Lecar 459 measures 4.35 meters in length, 1.82 m in width, 1.52 m in height, and 2.70 m in wheelbase. The trunk is generous, with 530 liters of capacity, surpassing models like the Toyota Yaris Cross, which has 471 liters.
Among the promised features are items from the Adas package: lane-keeping assist, blind-spot alert, adaptive cruise control, and emergency braking system. In other words, the car is designed with a focus on safety and comfort from the start.
Volkswagen Confirmed R$ 16 Billion in Investments in Brazil
This is not the first time a promising project has caused a stir and then vanished without a trace. The difference here is that Flávio Assis is not promising to create a global empire, but something he considers more realistic and viable. Still, caution is necessary.
Today, even well-structured startups face difficulties in bringing cars from concept to reality. The case of Basin Electric in the US is a recent example of how ambitious promises often stumble over bureaucracy, lack of funding, and logistical bottlenecks. Toyota Yaris Cross
Moreover, the automotive landscape in Brazil is still challenging for those who want to compete with giants like BYD, Volkswagen, Stellantis, and others, which have announced billions in investments for the coming years. Only Volkswagen, for example, has confirmed R$ 16 billion in investments in the country by 2028.
Could Sooretama Become a Hub for Electric Cars?
If the plan comes to fruition, Sooretama will not only host a factory but could also attract suppliers, create logistics routes, and transform the region into a technological hub. In a country where electrical infrastructure is still uneven, this could also accelerate the local energy transition. Toyota Yaris Cross
The expectation is that construction will start in 2025 and that the first cars will roll off the assembly line in August 2026. The challenge, however, lies in turning a 3D projection into a real car and, more importantly, on a large scale.
And what do you think about the idea of a Brazilian Elon Musk trying to change the face of the automotive sector with a hybrid sedan made in Espírito Santo? Leave your opinion in the comments or share this article with someone interested in innovation and electric mobility!
A minha impressão, salvo falta de maiores informações sobre o fato exposto é de que essa ideia vire na história da Gurgel. Gostaria que eu estivesse errado ao ver essa Ação prosperar…o tempo vai dizer! Desejo sucesso ao Elon Musk do Brasil
Esse carro 🚗 vai puxar trazeiro ou dianteiro 🤔!!??…