In 1999, the Brazilian group CAOA-founded by doctor Carlos Alberto de Oliveira Andrade-signed a partnership with South Korean automaker Hyundai to work in Brazil. It was a milestone. The union between the two companies has helped to accelerate the arrival and popularization of iconic models in the country, such as Tucson. But, as in life, not every story lasts forever. This week, the companies officially put an end point in the relationship.
The old partners no longer divide the Anápolis Factory (GO), inaugurated in 2007 with an initial investment of R $ 1.2 billion from the Brazilian company. The complex, according to data from the site, has 174 thousand square meters of built area and occupies a plot of 1.5 million square meters.
Neither explained exactly the reasons for the separation. Hyundai said in a statement that “it does not comment on trade or production strategies in the markets where it is present” and CAOA said it does not deal with its “business plans, future launches or subsequent projects”.
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But the signs of wear and tear in the partnership were from afar. In 2018, for example, companies faced themselves in court for disagreements about the joint operation. Still, the relationship is not completely ended: the dealership network of CAOA continues to sell Hyundai models, both produced in Brazil and imported.
Even with the end of the industrial partnership, this was one of the longest alliances in recent history of the Brazilian automotive industry. The memory of this collaboration continues to circulate through the streets – especially in the countless tucsons that still run around. But the legacy goes further.
Check out some of the main vehicles produced at the Anápolis Factory and imported via partnership CAOA-Hyundai:
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Hyundai Tucson (1st generation)
A 1st generation do Hyundai Tucson It was the first passenger car produced at the Goiana factory. Between 2010 and 2019, according to CAOA data, just over 106 thousand units of the car were made.
Hyundai ix35
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It was produced in 2013 and early 2022, when it went out of line after phase 7 of the Federal Government’s motor pollution control program, which aims to reduce the levels of pollutant emission by motor vehicles. During this period, the IX35 (2nd generation of Tucson) had about 112,000 units sold in the country, according to Caoa.
New Tucson
The production of this model, the 3rd generation of Tucson, began in 2016. In material released last year, CAOA said that the whole family of cars (as long as the other generations) has 300 thousand models marketed in its stores in Brazil.
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Hyundai HR
Initially launched as imported, the Hyundai HR utility truck began to be produced nationally in 2007 at the Caoa factory. Last year, according to the Korean company, HR exceeded 100,000 units manufactured.
Hyundai Azera
The beginning of import was in late 2007, with the 4th generation arriving in Brazil via Caoa. Marked the brand entrance into the large sedan segment with V6 engine. The 5th generation arrived in mid -2011. It was no longer imported in 2016.
Hyundai Elantra
It began to be imported Brazil in mid -2011 and left the line in early 2020. Sales were not very good – in 2019, for example, only 82 were sold.
Hyundai Veloster
It began to be imported in 2011, but ceased to be marketed in the country in 2014. At the time, the brand representative in Brazil said that paralyzing occurred because of the “oscillations in sales”.
Current production
Although the end of the partnership was reported today, initially by the Self -esportthe production of the Hyundai Tucson and HR truck models at the Anápolis factory ended in the plant in April this year.
Currently, the factory exclusively produces CAOA Chery vehicles, such as Tiggo 5x, Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 SUVs, and undergoes modernization with an investment of about $ 3 billion, which includes installation of 165 new robots and expansion of the factory area.
The capacity of the site is also being doubled to up to 160 thousand vehicles per year, with expansion of shifts and hiring more employees.
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