French carmaker Renault today announced plans to expand its engine manufacturing facility at the Ayrton Senna production site in Curitiba, Brazil, by 5,000 square meters (53,820 Sq. ft.) in order to boost annual output from 400,000 to 500,000 engines by early 2013.
Since the opening of the Ayrton Senna Complex in 1999, Renault has manufactured some 2.5 million engines, including 335,813 in 2011, of which more than 1.2 million units were exported to other South American markets.
Besides the engine manufacturing facility, the complex also includes passenger-car and light-commercial-vehicle plants. Renault said that annual capacity is over 280,000 vehicles, which will be increased to 380,000 units starting in early 2013.
Brazil is currently the Renault’s Group’s number two market, with the French automaker achieving a record market share of 6.8 percent in the first half of 2012. Renault said it is aiming for an 8 percent share of the Brazilian market by 2016.
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