A freighter ship with 900 GWM vehicles arrived at the port of Vitória this week after leaving Shanghai in mid-March, the Chinese automaker confirmed on Wednesday (16).
Images of Reuters They show the port yard with ranks of sports utilitarian vehicles. According to the automaker, the models are from the Haval H6 line, one of the best selling of the brand in the country. The ship also brought the Tank 300 Hybrid Offroad Utility, released earlier this month in Brazil, said GWM.
The automaker clarified that the Norwegian flag freighter who left Shanghai on March 18 is RO-RO, commonly used in the transport of vehicles and equipment such as agricultural and mining machinery, and that the ship is not for exclusive use of GWM, being shared by other companies.
GWM recorded sales of 5,767 HAVAL H6 units in Brazil in the first quarter, ahead of more traditional segment models, such as Renault Duster, according to data from the Fenabrave Dealer Association.
The automaker maintains opening plans for its factory in Iracemápolis, in the interior of São Paulo, in mid -year, according to GWM Brazil’s director of institutional affairs, Ricardo Bastos. The unit, bought from Mercedes-Benz in 2021, is “in the final stretch of preparation,” he said.
When the factory is ready, GWM will produce the Haval H6 and, in a second stage, a pickup, according to the executive.
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The tariff turmoil created by the trade war started by US President Donald Trump did not change the project, Bastos said in response to questions from Reuters.
“The Brazilian government is dealing very well with this situation. We understand that the direction adopted by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin (also Minister of Development, Industry and Commerce) shows that Brazil is respecting the rules already defined,” said the executive, referring to the gradual increase in import tax by the federal government in the segment of hybrids and electric from the beginning of last year.
The national automotive industry has charged the federal government to anticipate the increase in tax at 35%, which is currently expected to occur only in the mid -year.
