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Flávio Assis, self-proclaimed “Brazilian Elon Musk,” promised the first national electric car, but the reality is different. Lecar will shift its focus to hybrids, produce vehicles in China, and faces modest results in pre-sales.
In the race to revolutionize the national automotive market, an ambitious promise made by a Brazilian businessman captured attention in recent months.
With multimillion-dollar advertisements and comparisons to none other than Elon Musk, the anticipation of a 100% Brazilian electric vehicle was widely publicized.
But the reality revealed something very different, disappointing those who believed in the futuristic and innovative dream.
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According to information gathered by journalist Boris Feldman, an automotive specialist, published in his column in CNN Brasil this Tuesday (17), the car announced by businessman Flávio Figueiredo Assis will not be electric, nor will it have national production.
Amid changes in the project, factory transfers, and controversial announcements, the trajectory of Lecar has strayed far from delivering what was promised.
The “Brazilian Elon Musk” and His Initial Promises
Flávio Figueiredo Assis, a millionaire who made his fortune in the financial market, founded Lecar with the dream of manufacturing the first national electric car. The promise was bold, but over time, the narrative began to change.
Lecar’s headquarters was established in São Paulo, while the factory was initially planned to be set up in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul.
According to the businessman himself, the Lecar 459, the debut model, would undergo a rigorous homologation process in London, with impact, aerodynamics, and safety evaluations.
The initial market launch was predicted for December 2024, with a price of R$ 279 thousand and a range of 400 km per charge.
“Production would be massive, with 50 thousand units per year,” the businessman stated.
Plan Changes and the Shift to Hybrid
Throughout 2024, production was moved to Espírito Santo, Assis’s home state. However, beyond the geographical change, the idea of an electric car was abandoned.
According to him, the hybrid model would better meet market demands and would have its cost reduced by half, now set at R$ 143 thousand.
Throughout his statements, Assis announced that, in addition to the initial sedan, Lecar would produce a pickup, named CyberCampo, a clear reference to Tesla’s Cybertruck.
Failed Attempt to Occupy Ford’s Factory
Lecar also expressed interest in acquiring the Ford factory in Camaçari, Bahia, competing directly with the Chinese giant BYD.
However, as pointed out by the Bahia government, the company did not even present the minimum necessary documentation to participate in the bidding. Unable to finalize the negotiation, the victory went to BYD.
Production in China and the Government’s “Support”
Given the challenges in establishing a factory in Brazil, Assis announced that the first units of the car will be produced in China.
The new forecast indicates that the prototypes will be ready in March 2025, with deliveries expected in August 2026.
Furthermore, the businessman claimed that Lecar would receive R$ 3 billion from the government. However, as highlighted by Boris Feldman in his analysis, there is no public funding allocated for the project.
The announced amount actually refers to the total taxes the company would forgo if it were fully operational under the Mover program, a federal government mobility incentive policy.
History of Frustrated Projects
The dream of launching a national car has already been a source of frustration at other times in the Brazilian industry.
Companies like IBAP, Obvio, Megastar, and Bravo Motors also attempted to walk this path but failed due to lack of structure and resources.
The most notable example is Bravo Motors, which has promised since 2021 to manufacture batteries and electric vehicles but has yet to gather the necessary investment to get off the ground.
Controversial Pre-Sales and Modest Results
Despite numerous obstacles, Lecar launched a pre-sale of its first model. Interested parties could reserve the vehicle with a down payment of R$ 1,300.
According to the company’s marketing director, only 26 people showed interest in purchasing the car.
Even so, Assis announced the launch of a second batch of one thousand units, justifying the move based on the “success of the plan.”
In summary, the promise of a 100% Brazilian electric car was nothing more than a marketing strategy.
The vehicle will be hybrid, manufactured in China, and is still far from entering commercial production.
Reality Versus the Promise
For many, Flávio Figueiredo Assis’s trajectory and Lecar’s journey resemble a series of unfulfilled promises.
Without a factory, no electric car, and questionable results in pre-sales, the project remains shrouded in uncertainties.
Will the “Brazilian Elon Musk” be able to realize his dream, or will Lecar join the list of companies that fell by the wayside?
Alguém acreditou nele??? Eu não!!!
Picaretão