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Ford’s Restructuring in Brazil Transforms Camaçari into a Global Engineering Hub and Enhances the Relevance of National Technology in the Automaker’s Strategy.
Ford has reinforced its presence in Brazil by transforming its manufacturing operation into a strategic engineering and development center.
The move, explained by Martín Galdeano, CEO of Ford South America, during his participation in the Radar Times program, marks a new phase for the automaker in the country.
According to him, the Camaçari Technical Center brings together more than 1,500 engineers and specialists, responsible for creating technologies and projects that will be applied in global vehicles, increasing the relevance of Brazilian engineering on the company’s worldwide map.
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As the executive highlighted, this reorientation has allowed Brazil to once again occupy a structural role in the brand’s strategic decisions, especially after years of operational challenges in the region.
Brazilian Engineering Gains Prominence at Ford
During the interview, Martín Galdeano recalled that Ford once sold about 350,000 vehicles per year in South America, but was accumulating losses nearing 1 billion dollars annually.
According to him, this scenario made it difficult to attract new investments and prevented the region from consistently participating in the global development of products.
The CEO explained that the current strategy has reduced operations to approximately one-third of the previous size, prioritizing segments in which Ford has global scale and competitiveness.
“Today we have a total focus on pickups, SUVs, commercial vehicles, and product development,” he stated.
He added that the engineering team based in Bahia is already responsible for approximately 30% to 35% of the technology applied to Ford vehicles worldwide.
For Galdeano, this is a milestone that evidences a change in direction and the consolidation of a sustainable model in the region.
According to the executive, the company boasts 17 consecutive quarters of results that ensure capital returns to shareholders, enabling new investments.
Expansion of the Camaçari Technical Center
Martín Galdeano also noted that the engineering team has nearly doubled in recent years.
“In 2021, we had around 800 engineers.
Today, we have 1,500,” he said.
He further emphasized that the location attracts young and highly qualified professionals, responsible for developing technologies not only for the next generation of vehicles but also for two generations ahead.
According to the CEO, the company will inaugurate a new building in Camaçari in April, with capacity for more than 800 engineers, increasing the weight of the regional structure in the global development pipeline.
Possibility of Resuming Domestic Production
When asked about a possible resumption of local production, a recurring theme since the announcement of the end of Ford’s manufacturing in the country nearly five years ago, Galdeano stated that the company has never ruled out this possibility.
“The decision made earlier was not related to Brazil,” he said.
According to him, the change in global strategy, focusing on pickups, SUVs, and commercial vehicles, directed the brand toward other production hubs.
Nevertheless, the executive stressed that Brazil remains a competitive alternative for production.
He explained that, although there is no immediate announcement, the feasibility is still being analyzed by the corporation.
Growing Competition and a Changing Market
Commenting on the Brazilian market, Martín Galdeano acknowledged the strong competition, especially with the rise of Chinese brands and electric vehicles.
However, he stated that Ford seeks to differentiate itself through the experience offered to customers and its deep understanding of the segments in which it operates.
“Our focus before was volume.
Today we work to deliver the best experience and the best product line in the segments where we are globally competitive,” he noted.
He mentioned the performance of the Ford Ranger, which is expected to end the year with record sales in Brazil, as well as high satisfaction rates in the dealership network.
Advances in Technology, Connectivity, and Engines in Brazil
The executive also highlighted that motorization and connectivity technologies are being developed at the Camaçari Technical Center.
As an example, he mentioned the recent announcement of the production of a plug-in hybrid Ranger with flex technology, revealed during the visit of Ford’s global CEO to the region.
According to Galdeano, all technology associated with ethanol has been developed by the Brazilian team, reinforcing the role of national engineering in innovation and in adapting vehicles to different markets.
Impacts of the Dispute Between China and the United States
Commenting on the global bottlenecks in the semiconductor chain, exacerbated by the trade dispute between China and the United States, Martín Galdeano stated that the automotive sector is still working to reduce vulnerabilities.
He recalled that a similar situation occurred in the post-pandemic period, when the chip shortage lasted approximately a year and a half.
According to the executive, the market is beginning to move toward normalization, but Ford continues to invest in new supply strategies, with protection stocks and long-term planning to mitigate risks.
He emphasized that the automotive chain is extensive and requires predictability to avoid disruptions.
Continuous Growth and Goals for the Next Year
At the end of the interview, Ford’s CEO for South America commented on the company’s recent performance in the region.
He stated that the company grew about 25% last year and has accumulated approximately 23% growth through October 2025, despite the still reduced base compared to the period before the restructuring.
According to Galdeano, the goal for next year is to maintain double-digit growth and continue expanding the portfolio in strategic segments.
He emphasized that pickups, SUVs, commercial vehicles, and off-road-oriented models have significant potential in the Brazilian and South American markets.
At the end of the conversation on Radar Times, Galdeano affirmed that the company is committed to continuing investments in the region. Watch the full interview:
Parabéns Ford que seu retorno seja triunfal, sempre fui Ford desde o Corcel até Ecosport atdt… Passei por todos os modelos…
Que retorno, isso foi o que ficou de toda a operação…
O fim da atividade produtiva Ford no Brasil não derreteu preços, seu Manoel. Manteve-os estabilíssimos. Particularmente no caso de veículos semi-novos.
Saindo quando vários entraram, andou p trás como caranguejo, se voltar com preço e qualidade, retoma seu posto.