Volkswagen has started production of the
all-new Nivus crossover coupe at its Anchieta plant, in São Bernardo do Campo,
Brazil. It’s a big deal for Volkswagen do Brasil as the Nivus is the first
model developed in Brazil that will be produced and sold in the European
market. While the Nivus built in Brazil will be exported to countries in Latin
America, the subcompact crossover will also enter production next year in
Pamplona, Spain.
The location is not surprising as the
Pamplona factory also makes the Polo hatchback and the T-Cross crossover SUV,
both closely related to the Nivus. According to Volkswagen do Brasil, about 30
people from the Spanish team are involved in the Nivus project and some of them
have been visiting the facilities in Brazil to learn more about the development
of Nivus before European production begins.
Interestingly, the VW Nivus was developed
without the need for a physical prototype in any of its phases, with designers
and engineers using virtual reality and augmented reality instead. The Nivus is
made at the Anchieta plant alongside the Polo hatchback and Virtus sedan, with
all three models sharing the MQB-A0 platform.
To prepare the factory for the new model,
Volkswagen bought 419 new equipment including 90 state-of-the-art robots and a
new ‘Extra Large’ press. The facility was also expanded by 24,000 square meters and now totals approximately 105,000 square meters.
The VW Nivus will go on sale in Brazil in
the coming weeks, followed by Argentina later in the year and other South
American markets in 2021. From the second half of next year, it will also
become available for European customers.
