Brazilian automotive company OBVIO ! announced Tuesday that it would be reactivating the Fabrica Nacional de Motores (FNM) in Xerem, Duque de Caxia City in Rio de Janeiro, where up to 4,000 jobs would be created to manufacture the OBVIO ! 828 and 012 models. The cars have an engine that can run on any proportion of ethanol and gasoline in the same tank, in addition to plug-in versions.
Cooperating with Wright Brothers Aviation, the FNM was an old airplane motor complex which was given by the “Land & Lease Act” of the U.S. to the Brazilian government after the Second World War for helping with refueling and maintenance of two U.S. military bases. It later became part of Alfa-Romeo until it was sold to Fiat. It has been closed for 35 years.
OBVIO ! has obtained a 5 million square foot area at the FNM complex in the main “Brasilia 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.
“It’s time to payback this old investment to the USA people now, but with zero air pollution cars,” said Sergio Raposo, Technical Director of OBVIO !.