Honda do Brasil has begun sales of its second Brazilian-made model, the compact Fit car (known in Europe as the Jazz). The vehicle is produced in the Honda Sumaré plant, in São Paulo state, writes Rogério Louro.
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To produce the Fit in Brazil, Honda invested $US50 million in the Sumaré plant that was opened in October 1997 and also makes the Civic sedan. By the end of the year, Honda expects to have built 25,000 Fits in Brazil alongside about 21,000 Civics.
About 2,500 Fits will also be exported to other South American countries and Honda’s Brazilian unit also hopes to negotiate exports to Mexico, replacing cars currently imported from Japan.
The Brazilian-made Fit has a 1.4-litre engine and is the first vehicle produced in Brazil with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
To help boost Fit sales, Honda is increasing the dealer network from 58 to 85 outlets.
