10/16/2008 08h55
Ethanol impresses Mitsubishis president
Gazeta Mercantil - 10/16/2008
In the first visit of a world president of Japanese maker Misubishi to Brazil, the "tour" included visits to gas stations. In office since 2005, Osamu Masuko, 59 years old, wanted to understand how people fill the tanks of flex cars in Brazil. "I was impressed to see the alcohol pumps spread all over the city", said Masuko. "The capacity to produce ethanol is the Brazil greatest weapon." The tour, actually the displacement among meetings in the three days of visit to the Country, was made in a Pajero flex, whose engine was developed through a partnership between Brazil and Japan. "It was a great trump for us to develop this flex engine and this is opening the market for us in Europe", affirmed Masuko, who visits the plant in Catalão, state of Goiás, today. "The flex model that we will have in Europe will not have the same technology, but the basic engineering and the Brazilian development method will be used". Asked about the future of the flex technology and Japan's preference for electric cars, Masuko answered that Japan "can not afford giving up on ethanol". "But, as we sell in the whole world, we need to have products for all segments: flex, electric, hybrid", he completed. Responsible for bringing back on its feet the maker, which was almost bankrupt four years ago, Masuko came to the Country to reaffirm the commitment with Brazilian investors Eduardo Souza Ramos and Paulo Ferraz, responsible for the brand's production and sales in Brazil. Brazil is Mitsubishi seventh biggest market. The maker's share of the national market is 1.3% and, this year, it should have a 48% growth. Sales of national and imported cars should leap from 31 thousand to 46 thousand vehicles. The company currently produces only for models: Pajero Sport and TR4 SUV's and Triton and L200 pick-up trucks.
