TMTPOST -- China’s Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC Group) has announced plans to invest $1.3 billion in Brazil to establish localized vehicle production and a dedicated research and development (R&D) center, marking a major milestone in its global expansion strategy. The announcement came during a meeting in Beijing on May 12 between GAC International General Manager Wei Haigang and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is on a state visit to China. The two sides discussed the progress of GAC’s brand entry into Brazil, future development strategies, and joint efforts to promote green mobility between the two countries. GAC confirmed its intention to set up a manufacturing base in Brazil to support localized vehicle assembly, aligning with Brazil’s goal of advancing industrial self-sufficiency and attracting foreign investment in high-tech sectors. The planned R&D center will introduce GAC’s full innovation ecosystem to Brazil, focusing on new energy vehicles (NEVs), smart driving technologies, and adapting products to local market needs.