# General Motors do Brasil

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Brazilian car manufacturer

General Motors do Brasil Ltda.[1] Type Wholly owned subsidiary Industry Automotive Founded 26 January 1925 Headquarters São Caetano do Sul Products Automobiles, pickups Brands Chevrolet Revenue US$7.31 billion[1] (2012) Number of employees 22,894 (2010) Parent General Motors

**General Motors do Brasil** is the largest [subsidiary](/source/Subsidiary) of [General Motors](/source/General_Motors) in [South America](/source/South_America), one of the oldest and largest car producers in [Brazil](/source/Brazil).

Founded in 1925 and initially located in the historic district of [Ipiranga](/source/Ipiranga_(district_of_S%C3%A3o_Paulo)), [São Paulo](/source/S%C3%A3o_Paulo_(state)), the company assembled cars using imported parts from the [United States](/source/United_States).

In 2015, it completed 90 years of activities in the country and, in 2021, it celebrated the milestone of 17 million units produced in the country.[2]

## History

Inauguration of the General Motors Plant in São José dos Campos (SP) by President Juscelino Kubitschek, 1959

Initially operating in a rented warehouse, GM do Brasil opened its first plant in 1930 in [São Caetano do Sul](/source/S%C3%A3o_Caetano_do_Sul), São Paulo.

In 1958, a second factory was opened in [São José dos Campos](/source/S%C3%A3o_Jos%C3%A9_dos_Campos), officially inaugurated a year later by [Juscelino Kubitschek](/source/Juscelino_Kubitschek), the [President of Brazil](/source/President_of_Brazil) at the time, for [die casting](/source/Die_casting) and other cars assemblies.

GM introduced its first car in the country, the [Chevrolet Opala](/source/Chevrolet_Opala), in 1968.

In 1973, GM launched the [Chevrolet Chevette](/source/Chevrolet_Chevette), which has accumulated sales exceeding 1.2 million units. It was replaced by the [Corsa](/source/Opel_Corsa_B) in 1994, the first [economy car](/source/Economy_car) with electronic fuel injection in Brazil, after tests were conducted near [Indaiatuba](/source/Indaiatuba).

From 1968 until 2005, GM used [Opel](/source/Opel)-developed cars badged as "Chevrolet".

In July 2000, it launched the Industrial Complex of [Gravataí](/source/Gravata%C3%AD) in [Rio Grande do Sul](/source/Rio_Grande_do_Sul), one of the world's most modern factories.[3]

After the globalization and sale of [Opel](/source/Opel) to [PSA Group](/source/PSA_Group) (now [Stellantis](/source/Stellantis)), vehicles like the [Chevrolet Onix](/source/Chevrolet_Onix) were made from project designed and imported from [SAIC-GM](/source/SAIC-GM) in Shanghai, China. Most designs came ready from Warren, mainly pickup trucks. Other Brazilian own projects cars were the [Chevrolet Agile](/source/Chevrolet_Agile), still based on Corsa Platform, [Chevrolet Meriva](/source/Chevrolet_Meriva), [Chevrolet Kadett](/source/Chevrolet_Kadett), [Chevrolet Monza](/source/Chevrolet_Monza_(South_America)) and [Chevrolet Zafira](/source/Chevrolet_Zafira), those from Opel projects, among others Brazilian own studies.

In 2005, GM do Brasil sold a total of 365,259 vehicles, 21.3% of the Brazilian market. The percentage was 22.6% in the SUV and commercial segment. The company's total production reached 559,345 units when counting exports.

In 2005, exports reached a value of [US$](/source/US%24) 1.6 billion, for the shipment of 114,994 [complete knock-down](/source/Knock-down_kit) (CKD) units and 125,678 vehicles exported to some 40 countries around the world. The main market for exports was [Mexico](/source/Mexico), followed by [Argentina](/source/Argentina), [Venezuela](/source/Venezuela), [South Africa](/source/South_Africa) and other Latin American countries.

In the social area, GM do Brasil focused activities through the [General Motors Institute](/source/General_Motors_Institute), created in 1993, its mission is to rescue the citizenship of children, youths and adults from poor communities, which are located especially close to industrial plants of the company. Its shares are primarily in education.

In 2019, GM do Brasil sold 475,684 vehicles, an increase of 10% over the previous calendar year, surpassing China in sales. The last time sales exceed the Asian country was 2013, when GM sold 643,100 units in Brazil.[4]

In 2021, a huge investment of [R$](/source/Brazilian_real)10 billion ([US$](/source/United_States_dollar)1.86 billion) was made to improve manufacturing in São Paulo. The investment was first announced in 2019.[5][6][7] Despite this, sales dropped 28.5% to 242,108 vehicles.[8][9]

In December 2021, GM South America announced to hire around 250 engineers from various specialties to work mainly in the areas of the São Caetano do Sul Technological Centre, such as bodywork and structure, exterior, interior, chassis, engine, transmission, electronics, controllers, software, and virtual simulation.[10] In 2023, 1100 Employees were dismissed. From 2024 to 2028, an investment plan of R$7 billion or US$1.4 billion is ongoing, US$350 million per year, with subside of Brazilian President, in order to review and update the models tooling products.[11]

GMB made 100 years and launched the program Chevrolet Vintage in Brasil where they will reconstruct GMB Chevrolet Opala C10 Chevette and Monza, the first would be a C10 restored with V8 Camaro Engine... because the Camaro left or discontinued to be imported to Brasil, So lets see how the factory in S. Caetano will build those cars.[12]

At the [Pólo Automotivo PACE Comexport](/source/Troller), GMB began to assemble the [Chevrolet Spark EUV](/source/Chevrolet_Spark_EUV) in December 2026 as a [complete knock-down](/source/Complete_knock-down), with plans to add the [Chevrolet Captiva EV](/source/Wuling_Starlight_S) in 2026. The project has a total investment of R$ 400 million (US$ 73,7 million).[13][14][15]

Santiago Chamorro, left GMB as ([CEO](/source/CEO)) after, since 2021, being 4.5 years President, for retirement 32 years career.[16][17][18] Fabio Rua ([Vice President](/source/Vice_President))[19]

## Products

See also: [Automotive industry in Brazil](/source/Automotive_industry_in_Brazil)

All of them under the [Chevrolet](/source/Chevrolet) brand:

### Locally produced

- [Onix](/source/Chevrolet_Onix), China project

- [Montana](/source/Chevrolet_Montana), Brazilian project

- [Spin](/source/Chevrolet_Spin), Brazilian project

- [S10](/source/Chevrolet_Colorado), USA & Brazilian projet

- [Chevrolet Sonic](/source/Chevrolet_Sonic), Brazilian project

- [Tracker](/source/Chevrolet_Tracker_(2019)), USA project

- [TrailBlazer](/source/Chevrolet_Trailblazer_(SUV)#Second_generation_(RG;_2011)) (since 2012), USA project

		- Chevrolet Onix

		- Chevrolet Montana

		- Chevrolet Spin

		- Chevrolet S10

		- Chevrolet Tracker

		- Chevrolet TrailBlazer

### Imported

- [Chevrolet Spark EUV](/source/Baojun_Yep) – From [China](/source/China) and assembled at Planta Automotiva do Ceará PACE Horizonte since 3 Dezember 2025

- [Chevrolet Blazer EV](/source/Chevrolet_Blazer_EV)

- [Bolt EUV & EV](/source/Chevrolet_Bolt_EV) – From the [USA](/source/United_States)

- [Chevrolet Captiva](/source/Chevrolet_Captiva) EV – From [China](/source/China)

- [Equinox EV](/source/Chevrolet_Equinox) – From [Mexico](/source/Mexico)

- [Silverado](/source/Chevrolet_Silverado)

		- Chevrolet Equinox

		- Chevrolet Bolt

## Sales

Chevrolet consistently ranks as among the best-selling car brands in Brazil, and it has not ranked outside the top three most popular car brands in many years.[20][21]

Year Chevrolet 2018 434,364[22] 2019 475,684[23] 2020 338,549[24] 2021 242,108[25] 2022 291,418[26] 2023 328,020[27] 2024 314,956[28]

## Criticism and controversy

In January 2019, after recording financial losses, General Motors Brazil presented a plan to restructure the company in Brazil. The Analysis & Opinion column of [Jornal Já](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jornal_J%C3%A1&action=edit&redlink=1) pointed this out as "[blackmail](/source/Blackmail)", given the company's history:

What the world's largest automobile company is doing in Brazil is a scandalous synthesis of the prevailing spirit at the top of large multinational companies. (...) Claiming financial losses in its Brazilian operations, GM threatened to leave the country. An ultimatum? No, blatant blackmail.

(...) [I]t is hard to believe that the Brazilian market leader was not able to plan in advance for the slowdown in its activities over the next two years and, in the middle of the summer season, has to resort to a series of blackmail measures, many of them based on the labor reform of November 2017. It is an embarrassing situation for any executive. (...)

The most astonishing thing about this story is that, recently, during the government of José Ivo Sartori, from the PMDB (2015-2018), GM obtained tax advantages to invest R$1.5 billion in an expansion of production capacity that would be implemented in 2019. The whole thing will fall into the lap of the new governor Eduardo Leite, from the PSDB (2019-2022).[29]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Ebr_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Ebr_1-1) ["Ficha General Motors"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130920190105/http://exame.abril.com.br/negocios/melhores-e-maiores/empresas/ficha/gm/2012) [General Motors data sheet]. *exame.abril.com* (in Portuguese). [Exame](/source/Exame_(magazine)). Archived from [the original](http://exame.abril.com.br/negocios/melhores-e-maiores/empresas/ficha/gm/2012) on 20 September 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["GM alcança marca de 17 milhões de carros produzidos em 96 anos no Brasil"](https://plants.gm.com/media/br/pt/chevrolet/vehicles/Chevrolet/carros/cruze/2021.detail.html/content/Pages/news/br/pt/2021/jan/0126-96years.html). *GM Media*. 2021-01-26. Retrieved 2022-09-04.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["GM do Brasil começou suas atividades em 1925, em um galpão no bairro paulistano do Ipiranga"](http://media.gm.com/Pages/news/br/pt/2015/jan/0126-1925.html). *GM Media*. January 26, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Brazil Is Chevrolet's Second-Largest Market Again"](https://gmauthority.com/blog/2020/02/brazil-is-chevrolets-second-largest-market-again/). *GM Authority*. February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Chevrolet fecha 2020 na liderança e GM anuncia retorno dos investimentos"](http://media.gm.com/media/br/pt/chevrolet/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/br/pt/2021/jan/0105-chevrolet.html). *GM Media* (in Portuguese). January 5, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["General Motors anuncia investimento de R$ 10 bilhões para a produção da nova Chevrolet Spin e outros carros"](https://autoesporte.globo.com/mercado/noticia/2021/01/general-motors-anuncia-investimento-de-r-10-bilhoes-para-a-producao-da-nova-chevrolet-spin-e-outros-carros.ghtml). *AutoEsporte* (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 5, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Chevrolet retoma investimentos no Brasil; novas Montana e Spin estão no plano"](https://motor1.uol.com.br/news/464397/chevrolet-investimento-sao-paulo-veiculos-ineditos/). *Motor1* (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 5, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Chevrolet Brazil Sales Down 20 Percent In December 2021"](https://gmauthority.com/blog/2022/01/chevrolet-brazil-sales-numbers-figures-results-december-2021/). *GM Authority*. January 15, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Fiat ultrapassa Chevrolet e fecha 2021 como a marca mais vendida"](https://motor1.uol.com.br/news/559136/vendas-brasil-2021-marcas-resultado/). *Motor1* (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 6, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["GM amplia centro de pesquisa e desenvolvimento da América do Sul"](http://media.gm.com/media/br/pt/chevrolet/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/br/pt/2021/nov/1119-gm.html). *GM Media* (in Portuguese). November 19, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["GM faz 95 anos e se prepara para produzir modelo inédito no país"](http://media.gm.com/media/br/pt/chevrolet/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/br/pt/2020/jan/0127-95years.html). *GM Media* (in Portuguese). January 27, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Chevrolet confirma "volta" do Opala e picape clássica com V8 do Camaro"](https://autoesporte.globo.com/carros/carros-classicos/noticia/2025/02/chevrolet-volta-opala-picape-classica-motor-v8-camaro.ghtml) (in Portuguese). February 2, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [https://diariodonordeste.verdesmares.com.br/negocios/governo-confirma-producao-de-segundo-modelo-no-polo-automotivo-do-ceara-a-partir-de-2026-1.3715328](https://diariodonordeste.verdesmares.com.br/negocios/governo-confirma-producao-de-segundo-modelo-no-polo-automotivo-do-ceara-a-partir-de-2026-1.3715328)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/09/chevy-captiva-ev-to-be-assembled-in-brazil-in-2026/](https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/09/chevy-captiva-ev-to-be-assembled-in-brazil-in-2026/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/09/brand-new-chevy-spark-euv-to-be-assembled-locally-in-brazil/](https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/09/brand-new-chevy-spark-euv-to-be-assembled-locally-in-brazil/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["GM South America President Leaving The Company In Early 2026"](https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/11/gm-south-america-president-leaving-the-company-in-early-2026/). *GM Media*. Retrieved 2025-11-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Sobre a GM | Relação dos Diretores-Gerentes e Presidentes da General Motors do Brasil, desde 1925"](http://media.gm.com/media/br/pt/chevrolet/sobre_a_gm/presidentes.html). *GM Media* (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-09-04.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Santiago Chamorro é o novo presidente da GM América do Sul"](https://autoesporte.globo.com/industria/noticia/2021/08/santiago-chamorro-e-o-novo-presidente-da-gm-america-do-sul.ghtml). *[Auto Esporte](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Autoesporte&action=edit&redlink=1)* (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2021-08-31. Retrieved 2022-09-04.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Sobre a GM | Fabio Rua"](https://media.gm.com/media/br/pt/chevrolet/sobre_a_gm/Bios/rua.html). *media.gm.com* (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-09-04.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Chevrolet: Brazil's Best-Selling Auto Brand In 2018"](https://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/01/chevrolet-brazil-best-selling-auto-brand-2018/). *gmauthority.com*. 11 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Chevrolet Brazil Sales Flat In December 2024"](https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/01/chevrolet-brazil-sales-numbers-figures-results-december-2024/). *gmauthority.com*. 16 January 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Chevrolet: Brazil's Best-Selling Auto Brand In 2018"](https://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/01/chevrolet-brazil-best-selling-auto-brand-2018/). *gmauthority.com*. 11 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Chevrolet Brazil Sales Increase 10 Percent In 2019"](https://gmauthority.com/blog/2020/02/chevrolet-brazil-sales-figures-numbers-results-2019-calendar-year/). *gmauthority.com*. 6 February 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Chevrolet Brazil Sales Down 20 Percent In December 2021"](https://gmauthority.com/blog/2022/01/chevrolet-brazil-sales-numbers-figures-results-december-2021/). *gmauthority.com*. 16 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Chevrolet Brazil Sales Down 20 Percent In December 2021"](https://gmauthority.com/blog/2022/01/chevrolet-brazil-sales-numbers-figures-results-december-2021/). *gmauthority.com*. 16 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["Chevy Brand Posted Highest Sales Increase In Brazil In 2022"](https://gmauthority.com/blog/2023/01/chevy-brand-posted-highest-sales-increase-in-brazil-in-2022/). *gmauthority.com*. 10 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["Chevrolet Brazil Sales Flat In December 2024"](https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/01/chevrolet-brazil-sales-numbers-figures-results-december-2024/). *gmauthority.com*. 16 January 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["Chevrolet Brazil Sales Flat In December 2024"](https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/01/chevrolet-brazil-sales-numbers-figures-results-december-2024/). *gmauthority.com*. 16 January 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["GM chantageia seus empregados"](http://www.jornalja.com.br/analise/gm-chantageia-seus-empregados/). *Jornal Já*. 2019-01-29. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200429175948/http://www.jornalja.com.br/analise/gm-chantageia-seus-empregados/) from the original on 2020-04-29. Retrieved 2020-04-29.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [General Motors do Brasil](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:General_Motors_do_Brasil).

- [Official website](https://www.gm.com.br/home.html)

v t e General Motors Divisions, subsidiaries Vehicle brands Buick Cadillac Chevrolet GMC Denali Hummer Service brands ACDelco Chevrolet Performance Cruise Dexron GM Certified Service GM Defense GM Financial OnStar Global subsidiaries Argentina Brazil Canada Chile Colombia Egypt Japan Mexico New Zealand GM Specialty Vehicles Cadillac Europe Shareholdings DMAX (60%) GM Korea (77%) HRL Laboratories (50%) Industries Mécaniques Maghrébines (20%) SAIC-GM (50%) SAIC-GM-Wuling (44%) Baojun Products, technologies Platforms Transmissions Hybrids Vehicles Engines I3 Family 0 SGE E-Turbo I4 Family 0 SGE Family 1 MGE Family II Ecotec V6 High Feature Gen V V8 Gen V Gemini V8 Electric EV1 BEV2 Ultium BEV3 Former divisions, joint ventures, subsidiaries Allison Engine (1929–95) Allison Transmission (1929–2007) Ally Financial (1919–2013) Atlantic Aircraft/General Aviation (1929–34) Bendix (24%) (1924–48) BrightDrop (2021–24) Chevrolet Europe (2005–16) Chevrolet-Saturn of Harlem (2006–11) Cleveland Diesel (1938–62) Dayton-Wright (1919–23) Delco Electronics (1989-85) Delphi (1994–99) Delta Motor (1997–2004) Detroit Diesel (1938–88) DirecTV (1994–2003) Ethyl (1923-62) Electro-Motive Diesel (1930–2004) Electronic Data Systems (1984–96) Euclid Trucks (1953–68) FAW-GM (2009–19) Fisher Body (1925–84) Fleetwood Metal Body (1925–84) Frigidaire (1919–80) GM Pakistan (1953–63) GM-AvtoVAZ (2001–19) GM Diesel (1949–69) GM Diesel Division (1938–87) GM Europe (1986–2017) GM India (1995–2020) GM South Africa (1913–2017) GM Thailand (2000–20) GM Uzbekistan (2008–19) GM Vietnam (1993–2018) GMAC Real Estate (1998–2008) Hertz (1926-53) Holden (1948–2020) Holden Special Vehicles Hughes Aircraft (1985–97) Hughes Electronics (1985–97) Hughes Network Systems (1987–2003) HughesNet Kettering University (1926-82) Maven (2016–20) National City Lines NUMMI (1984–2009) New Venture Gear (36%) (1990–2002) Nexteer (2009–2010) North American Aviation (1933–48) Nuvell (1997–2008) Opel (1931–2017) PanAmSat (1995–2003) Remy Electric (1918–94) Rochester Products (1939-95) Terex (1968-80) United Australian (1989–96) Vauxhall (1926–2017) Volvo GM Heavy Truck (1986-97) Yellow Coach (1925–43) Facilities GM Building (Broadway) GM Building (Detroit) GM Building (Manhattan) GM Technical Center GM Proving Grounds Factories (list) Renaissance Center Hudson's Detroit General Motors Research Laboratory People William C. Durant (Founder) Mary Barra Alfred P. Sloan Tim Solso Rick Wagoner Sponsorship World of Motion Test Track (1999–2012, 2025–present, under all of GM; 2012–2024 under Chevrolet) Related topics History Companion make program Ignition switch recalls Motors Liquidation Company Motorama Reorganization Streetcar conspiracy 1945–46 strike 2007 strike 2019 strike Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle Concept of the Corporation Commons Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [General Motors do Brasil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_do_Brasil) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_do_Brasil?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.