GM reaches the mark of 5 million cars produced in Gravataí (RS)

General Motors has reached the mark of 5 million vehicles produced at the plant in Gravataí (RS), which has been in operation since 2000. The number was celebrated at an event held at the plant’s production line, which is now responsible for assembling the Onix Hatch, Onix Plus and, more recently, Sonic models.

The Gravataí plant was GM’s first plant outside the state of São Paulo and is a pioneer in Latin America in the adoption of the industrial condominium model. This means that within the complex, in addition to the assembly line, 13 strategic suppliers and a logistics provider are located. This format generates gains in scale, agility and logistical reduction.

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Sonic will have new versions and export to South America

The 5,000,000th vehicle produced at the unit was precisely the new entry-level SUV. Despite having arrived a short time ago, Sonic has already had a significant impact on production in Gravataí and in the first week alone registered 14 thousand units sold, according to the brand.

Thomas Owsianski, president of General Motors South America, who attended the celebration event, highlighted the importance of the new model for Chevrolet’s assembly line in Brazil:

Sonic represents a very large investment, more than a billion reais, and also an important volume, because this segment is growing very strongly here in Brazil, but also in the rest of South America.”

The executive also says that in the coming months GM will launch additional versions of Sonic and will also take the model to other South American countries, such as Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay and others.

Gravataí plant has been operating for 26 years with investments in technology

Inaugurated in 2000, the complex has an installed capacity to produce up to 330 thousand vehicles per year and has a complete industrial operation, bringing together stamping, polymers, bodywork, painting and general assembly, being among GM’s operations with the best performance in global indicators.

Throughout its history, Gravataí has gone through important expansion cycles, which consolidated the production of iconic Chevrolet models, such as the Celta, Prisma and the Onix family and, more recently, the Sonic, which has just been launched. In addition, over time, the complex has undergone four expansions and today operates with hundreds of robots, smart cameras, artificial intelligence and integrated systems.

Since its inauguration, the Gravataí complex has received four major investment cycles, totaling R$ 6 billion, increasing production capacity and the level of automation and artificial intelligence over the years:

• 2000 – Inauguration with production of the Celta (initial investment of R$ 1.1 billion)
• 2006 – Expansion for production of the Prisma sedan (R$ 240 million)
• 2010 to 2012 – Expansion for the arrival of the Onix (R$ 1.4 billion)
• 2019 – Modernization of the line for the launch of the new Onix and Onix Plus (R$ 1.9 billion)
• 2024 – Announcement of R$ 1.2 billion to modernize the complex, renew the portfolio and prepare the unit to receive the new Sonic

Thomas Owsianski, president of GM South America highlighted:

The trajectory of Gravataí follows the evolution of General Motors itself in South America. Over 26 years, the unit has expanded its competitiveness, incorporated new technologies and consolidated an industrial base prepared for the next cycles of our company’s transformation. The mark of 5 million vehicles produced is the result of this evolution and the work of our teams.”