The FNM (Fábrica Nacional de Motores – National Factory of Engines) complex in Brazil, a 5 million square foot area that had been abandoned is expected to be reactivated in late 2007 to produce Obvio cars.
The old factory is in Xerém, in Rio de Janeiro, and it is expected that as many as 4,000 jobs would be created to manufacture Obvio 828 and 012 models.
The cars have an innovative design in which the engine can run on any proportion of ethanol and gasoline in the same tank, in addition to electric plug-in versions.
"There is a skilled workforce residing nearby the FNM, in Baixada Fluminense and Xerém. And we’ve settled a partnership with FUNDEC – Municipal Social and Technologic Development Foundation, to form and re-train the employees with SESI (Industry Social Service) and SENAI (National Service of Industrial Learning) support," says the CEO of Obvio, Ricardo Machado.
Cooperating with Wright Brothers Aviation, the FNM was an old airplanes motor complex which was given by the "Land & Lease Act" of the USA to the Brazilian government after the Second World War, in exchange for the help of the Brazilian government over the two USA military bases in Natal and Barreiras for soldiers, refueling and maintenance.
Later on, it was the old Alfa-Romeo Manufacture of trucks and cars until it was sold to Fiat. It has been closed for 35 years.
With support from Rio de Janeiro government representatives Wagner Victer, Delmo Pinho and the Mayor of Duque de Caxias, Washington Reis, Obvio has obtained a 5 million square foot area at FNM Complex in the main "Brasília Warehouse," where its partners and suppliers will also be present. To create a center for Obvio’s manufacturing, the Duque de Caxias City Hall has offered 21 years rental at no cost.
As part of a strategic partnership between Obvio and ZAP, the publicly-owned North American Company would be one of the Companies to setup an office at the FNM Industrial Complex. ZAP is the exclusive distributor of Obvio cars in the USA, secured with a pre-purchase of 50,000 units per year.
"It’s time to payback this old investment to the USA people now, but with zero air pollution cars," says Sergio Raposo, Technical Director of Obvio.
Obvio Automotoveículos S.A. is a new developer and manufacturer of high-safety and high-performance microsport cars located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Under the direction of Obvio’s chief design partner, Anísio Campos, the premier car designer in Brazil and a former racing driver, Obvio cars incorporate what they say are state-of-the-art composite technologies, materials and features for urban cars that are fun and efficient.