China Changan Auto Group, in partnership with CAOA Group, marked a new chapter in the Brazilian automotive industry on Thursday with the launch of its automated production line in Anapolis, Brazil.

At the event, the first Changan UNI-T manufactured in Brazil rolled off the production line. Changan specifically developed this model for the Brazilian market. It is equipped with a 1.5 Turbo GDi BlueCore Flex dual-fuel engine.

In its initial phase, the Changan Brazil plant plans to produce three models covering gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Each comes standard with flexible fuel engines that can run on gasoline, ethanol, or any blend of the two, to cater to Brazil's ethanol-centric energy needs, according to Changan.

During the inauguration ceremony, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva praised Changan for its corporate strength and commitment to localization. He said that Changan's Brazil plant creates jobs, improves the lives of people, and plays a crucial role in Brazil's reindustrialization process.

"Brazil is not just an investment hotspot but a strategic high ground for Changan's long-term goals," said Zhu Huarong, chairman of CCAG. "We aim to root ourselves in Brazil and serve Latin America, bringing leading-edge new energy and intelligent technologies to the market."

According to the plan, Changan will use the Brazil plant to launch a full range of hybrid and electric models based on dual-fuel and hybrid technologies. This will strengthen the local supply chain and R&D capabilities while sharing green development to build a low-carbon, inclusive transportation ecosystem.

Additionally, Changan will drive the upgrade of Brazil's automotive supply chain, innovation chain, and capital chain to aid the country in achieving its goals of electrification, localization, and globalization of the automotive industry.

Since its international expansion in 1991, Changan has established a global R&D presence across six countries and 10 locations with 76 factories.

China Changan Auto Group, headquartered in Chongqing, is aiming to break into the world's top 10 carmakers by the end of the decade, following its transformation into a centrally owned enterprise last year.