Entrepreneur Flávio Figueiredo Assis promises to make history by launching the first electric car originally from Brazil. More than just contributing to changing the energy matrix and positively impacting the environment, his mission is to change the image of Brazil to the world. His inspiration is billionaire Elon Musk, who has a story similar to that of the entrepreneur.
Graduated in Law and Accounting, Assis is the founder of Lecard, a food card management company that reached an annual revenue of US$1 billion, supplying public agencies and private companies. In 2022, he sold the company with the intention of creating the first electric car manufacturer in Brazil, LECAR. The company’s mission is to redefine Brazil‘s presence in the global automotive scene through non-polluting vehicles that meet the demands of authorities and consumers.
Currently, the team consists of 30 engineers, many of whom have significant experience at companies like Ford, Toyota, and Nissan. The factory is being set up in the southern region of the country, with 65% of the parts being domestic and 35% imported. The LECAR 459, the company’s first vehicle, will have batteries from Winston Battery, which also supplies Volkswagen and Hyundai. The price for consumers will be US$55,000, with a range of 400 km per charge. The company also plans to launch an urban version at an affordable price, the LECAR POP, with an estimated price of US$20,000, 250 km per charge, and capacity for five passengers.
The capital is 100% self-funded, but the expectation is to conduct an IPO by 2025. The planned investment is US$3 billion. “In addition to a project that favors mobility and sustainability, our goal is to create a perception of value for Brazil, as we should always be perceived. We are the 9th largest economy in the world, passionate about cars and Formula 1. We have Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet, and Emerson Fittipaldi, F1 champions, as our idols, and yet we have never had a national car manufacturer. We will change the course of history,” he emphasizes.
Before that happens, the car will go to London, England, where it will undergo a series of approvals at LATIN NCAP, with assessments of impact simulators, aerodynamics, and safety. The expectation is that the first vehicles will be manufactured in December of this year. By 2025, the goal is to produce 300 vehicles per month, generating revenues of US$200 million.
In five years, LECAR aims to produce 50,000 cars annually, with US$15 billion in revenue. The company also intends to create a subscription plan, shifting the culture from ownership to access and sharing, which are the most sustainable ways to use cars. The base subscription for the 36-month rental plan will be offered for approximately 3% of the sale price for a monthly mileage of 1,000 km.
Another key initiative is regarding charging infrastructure. The company plans to install fast charging stations on the 10 largest highways in Brazil, totaling 36,437 km. With this plan, any electric vehicle will be able to travel across the country. The stations will be strategically located every 200 kilometers, allowing drivers to recharge their cars quickly, conveniently, and safely.
In addition to operating throughout the national territory, the entrepreneur plans to internationalize his car manufacturer, especially to the USA, France, Italy, and Monaco. “We are already aligning a series of partnerships in these countries to take our brand to the world.”
Furthermore, LECAR plans to create a battery cell factory, allowing self-sufficiency in car production. “We have 97% of the minerals that make up battery cells in our country. Besides being self-sufficient, we can also become leaders and a major reference in the global electric vehicle market, supplying cars to other countries. We are committed to making all this a reality,” the entrepreneur proudly states. Interested parties can follow the brand’s news on social media @lecarbrasil.