[tomsa2]

Hi, guys!

My name is Tom, and I'm from São Paulo, Brazil.

I recently bought a new Malibu Ecotech LTZ. It's kind an old child dream.
Probably you don't know, but most of brazilian cars are based from european projects, even Fords and GMs. So, when you buy a Chevrolet here you are buying an Opel.

Another thing that you probably don't know os that car prices in Brazil are ridiculous. For instance, to have my 2.4 (they don't sell the V6 here by now) I had to pay around US$ 57,000!

The point is since I was a boy I wanted a real american sedan and all I could buy was some mid (for you, compact) european sedans. My last car was a Citroen C4 Pallas (http://www.citroen.com.br/c4_pallas/).

Well, now is done and despite I had driven it no more then 200km, here I am searching for some infos, because the number of Malibus here aren't enough to create a community I guess there were sold around 200 in december only.

I ask you for some patience in my future questions or comments because my english is basic, ok?

Thanks for the space for discussions!

 

[DrivenDaily]

Welcome to the forum, Tom!

Isn't Brazil not dependent on any foreign oil? I believe I saw a documentary on TV that told the story about Brazil switching over to domestically grown ethanol and now does not need any oil from outside the country. Is that correct?

How do you like the car so far? Most of us love ours! I think you will as well.

 

[08chevymalibultz]

Welcome to the Site!

 

[chevyguy8893]

Welcome to CMF!

I never realized the prices of these cars would be so much in another country. I guess it would be like when I saw a low mileage used BMW M3 in Germany for around $9000. Anyways, it's pretty cool that you were able to find a car that you used to dream of having, enjoy it!

 

[tomsa2]

Welcome to the forum, Tom!

Isn't Brazil not dependent on any foreign oil? I believe I saw a documentary on TV that told the story about Brazil switching over to domestically grown ethanol and now does not need any oil from outside the country. Is that correct?

How do you like the car so far? Most of us love ours! I think you will as well.

Yes, Brazil have almost all the oil it needs. The problem is some oil we produce is low quality to produce gas (as I read) so we export this type of oil and import better oil to produce gas. Now the state-owned oil company and it's international partners found some huge oil reserves deep in the sea that probably will put Brazil between the 5 larger reserves in the world, but still a good time untill it became commercial.

About the Ethanol (from sugar cane) almost all brazilian made cars can run 100% Ethanol or gas. These cars have 1.0 to 2.0l motors and they are the base of brazilian fleet, meaning, I guess, around 80% sales.

Anyway, brazilian gas always have a percentage of Ethanol too, never less the 20%, as far as I remember.

Larger cars are mostly imported, like my Bu (didn't knew this short name) generally runs with gas. I think this year Ford will start to bring from Mexico the Ford Fusion adapted to be totally flex fuel. That's because we have an automotive agreement with Mexico, so vehicles made there pay 0% as import tax, differently from the Malibu made in US. This agreement make all the diffference in prices. Buying a 4 cil Fusion I would pay about R$ 72.000,00 in opposition of R$ 86.000,00 I paid for my Malibu. This make a great difference in sales, as Ford Fusion sells around 1,200/monthly and Chevy Malibu about 200.

Well, the name 'Malibu' as a brand have a long time appeal to me as I'm not a ... errr.. young guy. I'm 45 years old and and utill the beginning of 90's we could not import cars here. So it was a distant dream Now here is 'him' in my garage!

 

[tomsa2]

Welcome to the Site!

Welcome to CMF!

I never realized the prices of these cars would be so much in another country. I guess it would be like when I saw a low mileage used BMW M3 in Germany for around $9000. Anyways, it's pretty cool that you were able to find a car that you used to dream of having, enjoy it!

Tks a lot guys!

 

[elcompaLalo]

Glad to have you on the site. I posted in your other thread by the way.

 

[tomsa2]

Glad to have you on the sit. I posted in your other thread by the way.

Thanks, man!

I'm sorry starting my participation posting in the wrong place, by the way! -ops-