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Holden renews export ties with Chevrolet Brazil

01.09.2010

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Holden has today announced a new, niche export program to Chevrolet Brazil based on the VE Series II Commodore range.

The export vehicles will be sold as Chevrolet Omega in Brazil from November this year and will be powered by Holden’s locally-built 3.6 litre SIDI V6 engine initially capable of running on blends of up to 25 per cent ethanol.

The niche-volume program marks the return of Holden exports to Brazil which ran between 1998 with the VT-based Chevrolet Omega and 2008.

Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux said the new program was a step in the recovery process after the challenges of the financial crisis.

“We’re really pleased to work with Chevrolet Brazil and to rebuild targeted export programs which add value to Holden’s domestic business,” Mr Devereux said.

“Holden’s Chevrolet Omega program for Brazil shows that niche export opportunities are beginning to emerge as we recover from the challenges of the global financial crisis.”

Mr Devereux said Holden had also learned a lot from its sister company and the Brazilian market where ethanol accounts for 45 per cent of vehicle fuel.

“Our work with Chevrolet Brazil over the past decade has taught us a great deal about the potential of bio-ethanol and the flex-fuel technology needed to make our locally-produced engines E85 compatible.

“Those lessons have allowed us to develop cars for local and domestic markets capable of running on varying ethanol blends ranging from E10 all the way to E85 as well as how to work with fuel retailers to make bio-ethanol available commercially,” Mr Devereux said. 

Holden will export 600 of the special edition Chevrolet Omega vehicles. The model will be represented in Brazil by motor racing icon, Emerson Fittipaldi and called the Omega Fittipaldi.

Fittipaldi, a Brazilian national hero, won the Formula One world drivers’ championship in 1972 and 1974 racing for the Lotus and McLaren teams. He later switched to racing IndyCar in the United States, winning the famed Indianapolis 500 in 1989 and 1993 and the IndyCar drivers’ championship in 1989.

This year Fittipaldi is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his first Formula One victory at Watkins Glen in the United States on 4 October. Since retiring from racing he has become a passionate advocate and an investor in ethanol production in Brazil.

General Director of Sales and Marketing for GM do Brasil, Ronaldo Znidarsis, welcomed the new Chevrolet Omega to Brazil.

“The Omega has a great tradition in Brazil dating back to when it was produced by Chevrolet until today. It represents luxury, sophistication and performance and is a very important nameplate for the Chevrolet brand in Brazil,” he said.

Mr Fittipaldi said he was very proud to represent Omega and Chevrolet: “The Omega is a sedan with excellent performance. It’s this performance and handling that makes it such a great car for people who really loving driving but who won’t give up the comfort of a luxury car.”

Full vehicle specifications will be outlined by Chevrolet in Brazil in October during the 26th International São Paulo Auto Show when the Omega Fittipaldi will be released to the media.

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