General Motors celebrates the milestone of 4.5 million vehicles produced at its Gravataí plant. In a ceremony held on Tuesday (21), the company thanked everyone involved for their efforts and highlighted the importance of the city’s community for the unit’s success.
The Chevrolet Onix produced in red symbolized the historic feat. The industrial complex produces hatchback and sedan versions of the model, which is the sales leader in South America.
“Currently, our factory in Gravataí is a reference in productivity and efficiency in the world, in addition to having sustainable processes that allow not only the intelligent use of resources, but also contribute to the preservation of the environment around our operations”, celebrates Marcel Querotti, Executive Director of Manufacturing at GM Gravataí.
Gravataí Automotive Industrial Complex
The GM factory in Gravataí began its activities on July 20, 2000, with the production of the Chevrolet Celta, a national project and sales success for 14 years.
In addition to being the company’s first unit in Brazil outside of São Paulo, it inaugurated the industrial condominium concept, gathering around it the main suppliers – until then something unheard of in the world automotive segment -, who are strategically positioned to optimize the production process. assembly.
Since its inauguration, the unit has gone through three important expansions, which added up to an investment of approximately R＄ 4.5 billion. After manufacturing the Celta, renovations and expansions made it possible to produce the Prisma, the Onix and, more recently, the new Onix and new Onix Plus.
In its most recent expansion, which took place between 2017 and 2019, the factory received investments of R＄ 1.4 billion to prepare to receive the new Onix and Onix Plus, cars that brought new technologies to the segment, such as Wi-Fi on board and the parking assistant, in addition to the six airbags and stability control.
Among the improvements carried out is a new polymer injection building, where the bumper molding process is carried out. In addition, many processes were digitized, such as simulations of the line’s production volume, which seek the best means of transporting and moving parts.
New robots were acquired that work synchronized, with vision systems that carry out automatic self-corrections, working on the 4.0 manufacturing concept.
The speed of data processing and connectivity of the robots with other equipment was optimized through EthernetIP communication systems. The robots were even integrated with laser sensors to carry out online dimensional checks of the cars produced.
Sustainability
In addition to being a world reference in efficiency and productivity, the factory also stands out for being friendly to the environment; was the first to achieve the Zero Landfill milestone, that is, no waste generated at the facility is sent to landfills. Everything is recycled, reused or co-processed.
Another highlight is energy efficiency. The unit has ISO 9001, ISO 14000 and ISO 50001 certifications, which attest to correct behavior in relation to the environment. It has also won the Energy Star Challenge for Industry Recognition award.
Awarded by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the recognition highlights companies that have reduced their energy consumption by 10% over a period of five years and are a reference in the use of natural resources.
