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20 October 2018 | AutoData FROM THE TOP » JOSÉ LUIZ GANDINI, ABEIFA will be included are still not clear. Re- gardless of this discussion, Rota 2030 will bring greater predictability to ener- gy efficiency and emissions goals, and this way, it will be easier to program the technology development. The impor- ted brands already offer highly efficient vehicles and can boost the market by bringing hybrid and electric models. The next important topic for the automo- tive industry is the agreement with the European Union. Does the entity believe that this is a good deal for Brazil? Brazil needs to be prepared for global competition. Regional volumes are not enough for such a great industry. It is important to have cars prepared to com- pete in global markets aswell. Therefore, opening the market with an agreement like this is away to compete abroad there as well. Does Abeifa believe in the arrival of new Chinese brands at Brazil in the coming years? The Chinese companies that wish to operate in Brazil may have access to an important market, but it is necessa- ry to convince the customer that their vehicles can offer the same qualities of thosewho are already here in Brazil. And this is not easy. It can’t stop. In general, we have to buy now to sell in 120 days, but this is infor- mation restricted to the each company’s strategy. What about the planning for 2019? We can’t leave the uncertainties out of this equation, but we must now prepare the business plan for 2019 to present to the headquarters and, this way, start the production scheduling of the volumeswe expect for next year. We projected total market growth of around 10%, a volume from2.6million to 2million 650 thousand. And the imported vehicles’ market in particular? The imported vehicles should follow total sales, growing equally at around 10%. It all depends on the continuity of custo- mer optimism to go shopping, but we are concerned about the events in Brazil and how all this can influence the decision of customers. Insecurity is registered by the clients as a factor that prevents them fromchoosingmany imported cars of the premium segment. Something needs to change in Brazil to regain that trust. What is the importers’ perception about Rota 2030? We have the conviction that the text will be approved, but the amendments that “The total market in 2019 will evolve to 2.6 million units and the imported vehicles should follow a 10% market growth.”