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3 Even taking into account that the big issues guiding the discussions in the industry outside the country -- electric cars, autonomous cars, and mobility services – could take longer to become a reality in the Brazilian market, Moraes believes that Brazil cannot opt out of this new attitudes of the global consumer. Because, nowadays, markets have no borders. “Anfavea wants to increase the trade flow of the Brazilian industry, not just its balance. We must import more and export more, and to this end, we need more trade agreements. We have agreements in place with three countries and Mexico with more than forty”, says Moraes, an economist working with Mercedes-Benz for over forty years, in his inauguration address. “We support the opening up of the market. But it will only be possible if simultaneously we could advance the issue of the cost of doing business in Brazil”. To him, the approval of the Social Security legislation is urgent. “We are already late”. Without this piece of legislation in place, the economy will muddle through and the growth spurt will be short-lived. Moreover, he points out to the tax reform as the next, and vital, step. However, Anfavea’s president was careful not to address the tax reduction issue. He focused instead on issues that, according to him, are easier to address, such as a reduction in red tape, inefficiencies, and tax complexity. Moraes’ perception is that the Ministries of Economy and Infrastructure have the same vision as Anfavea – which is key, as these matters are beyond the reach of Anfavea to solve. Luiz Carlos Moraes offered the collaboration of the Anfavea’s board members, as well as that of most industry’s execs to help identify solutions to eliminate inefficiencies and improve competitiveness. His first point of attention is State governments: he wants to resolve the issue of the credits concerning export taxes – such as the ICMS withheld by the government of São Paulo. “We are talking about billions of reais sequestered, with no clue as to when they will be made available”. The concern of the new president of Anfavea, as well as that of vast sectors within the industry, is that this upcoming revolution in the automotive industry will leave the mother companies undercapitalized, as they will need to redirect substantial amounts of investment to develop the new technologies. So, it will extremely tough to ask headquarters for financial help in order to continue growing in Brazil. In other words, if they are to play the global game, Brazilian operations will have to achieve financial independence.