Automaker investments in Brazil - jobs and tax credits for cars

    Well, I was recently in northern Laos and the Chinese built a bullet train through Luang Prabang....Interesting funding model of the Boten–Vientiane railway!Alan        -@alan279

Is the model for that railway as described here -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boten%E2% … er%202021. accurate?

If this is accurate, then the whole railway was funded and operated mostly by the Chinese.  Who is actually benefiting from this railway?  If the people displaced have not been compensated, I doubt that the people of Laos is benefiting from all the investments poured into this venture.

Pablo888,

Ah yes, the question of who benefits (and who loses) from "investments" like railroad building. I'm sure that there are many interesting stories of who most benefits from most such investments.

One of my favorite railroad stories of investment and cost is that of the Madeira-Marmoré railroad (The Devil's Railroad) which granted [potentially] huge benefits to those who hoped to open Bolivian rubber to international markets but cost many thousands of lives (estimates of 6000-30000).

There are many current stories of countries and businesses that "invest" in places like the Amazon, surprising stories that one wouldn't imagine or invent. There are too many to list and the associated side-effects of those "investments." We regularly see a problem here in Paraíba where an American corporation (look for TECOP) brings in petcoke to burns in cement kilns. The product has severe warnings found in places like NIH. Most places in the USA where it has been stored have led battles to have it removed - SO most of it is sent abroad (mostly to China) but also to numerous points here in Brazil where people aren't so likely to complain (yet they do here in Paraiba).

I could go on and on but I won't.

I would just like to see common sense rule and have more investment in transportation forms that align with the need to reduce pollution/consumption/congestion. Our northeastern rail network was originally built by the English.

@mberigan I agree... Let's not worry about large scale infrastructure issues - most of which are beyond our ability to effect changes.  I am interested in automaker investments in Brazil mainly because I want to be able to access a cheaper and more eco-friendly mode of transportation.  That is a decision that I will have to make sooner or later. 

If only I could buy a Brazil made version of a Nissan Leaf and if I can couple that with solar panels, I think that my local transportation operational carbon footprint would be negligible.  Are there incentives available to doing just that?

@Pablo888 Looks like the first ”made in Brazil” EV will be a BYD Dolphin, available next year.

Alan

    @Pablo888 Looks like the first ”made in Brazil” EV will be a BYD Dolphin, available next year.
Alan
   

    -@alan279

Thank you Alan.  Hopefully it will be as cheap or cheaper than the "list" price shown in this article -> https://carnewschina.com/2024/02/13/byd … phin-mini/

I am not sure whether there will be tariffs added when most of the car will be imported from China.

It really depends on where you live in Brazil what sort of car you may require.

A Citroen Ami would suit me perfectly in Ilhéus, but the Ami has recently been precluded from Brazilian streets and highways, unfortunately.

That said, I really enjoyed a ride in a Toyota Hi-Lux from Natal to Gostoso and back a few years ago.

Alan

Alan

A Citroen Ami would suit me perfectly in Ilhéus, but the Ami has recently been precluded from Brazilian streets and highways, unfortunately.
    -@alan279

The Ami can only go at 28mph max.  Yes, this would not be highway worthy.

The Ami can only go at 28mph max.  Yes, this would not be highway worthy.
   
    -@Pablo888

The speed limit in Ilhéus is 60kph, potholes permitting. 😀

Alan

    The Ami can only go at 28mph max.  Yes, this would not be highway worthy.        -@Pablo888

The speed limit in Ilhéus is 60kph, potholes permitting. 😀

Alan
   

    -@alan279

Alan, rather than driving in the Ami, I think that riding the Brazil made Auper electric motorbike would definitely turn heads...

https://thepack.news/auper-incity-elect … ffordable.

Don't you think that this bike is more sexy than the Ami?

@Pablo888  Ride a motorcycle here? I have no death wish.

Alan

@Pablo888  Attract another gold digger? No thanks.

Alan

@alan279 - Re: bike - I nearly died because of a bike crash before.  My wife will not allow me to buy a bike.

Re: gold diggers - they are typically easy to spot.  Just need to learn how to say "No".   Gold diggers are hunters looking for a prey.  Just avoid being a prey.

3/24/24 - Stellantis fires 400 exempt employees (apparently mechanical related) in mandatory remote day work -> https://finance.yahoo.com/news/stellant … 3112.html. A cowardly way to deal with decent human beings.

However, this is a very predictable move for Stellantis.

Two things coming next:

1. Expect new head count in Brazil as the new engine work is mechanical engineering related.
2. Announcement of a new production line in Brazil

Hope that those new jobs are non-exempt in Brazil so that the same firing tactics are not used there.