In November of last year, Brazilian billionaire Elke Batista declared that he wanted Apple to abandon Foxconn and China and come build iPads in Brazil.
Well, looks like he got half his wish: while Foxconn remains involved, future iPads may soon be built in Brazil thanks to a $12 billion investment by that company in the South American nation.
The news comes from Brazilian president Dilma Roussef himself, who made reference to the possible investment during a visit to Beijing. According to Roussef, Foxconn is committed to the investment, but the government still has to review the company’s plans.
Separate confirmation of Foxconn’s Brazilian plans comes from that country’s science and technology minister, who says that iPads will be produced in existing plants by the end of November.
Great news for the Brazilian economy? Sure, but even better news for Americans waiting for that next iPad or iPhone: the trip from the factory to the Apple Store should be a few thousand miles shorter starting later this year.
John Brownlee is a writer for Fast Company, and a contributing writer here at CoM. He has also written for Wired, Playboy, Boing Boing, Popular Mechanics, VentureBeat, and Gizmodo. He lives in Boston with his wife and two parakeets. You can follow him here on Twitter.
23 responses to “Foxconn To Start Building iPhones and iPads In Brazil By Year’s End”
John, Brazil’s president is a woman.
it would make scene the iPhone is delayed until September. If the rumors are true.
Finalmente!! Apple no Brasil por preços acessíveis!
Translating..
Finally!! Apple’s products at reasonable prices!
Here we have extremely high tax rates at which every electronic device costs too much!
I think at least now we’re gonna have the option of buying an Apple product. Nowadays it isn’t an option considering prices like almost US$1800 for a new macbook. Yes the one that costs only a thousand dollars there.
I hope this news truly pushes down not only brazilian prices but all south americans here!
Btw maybe it would also accelerate the ridiculous long process that it takes to a new device (enabled 3g or a phone, ipad/iphone) to be licensed and then start being sold at carriers. (but that’s just Brazil’s problem…)
Sorry if my english wasn’t so good.. ;]
José Rodrigues
you mean HER self
I wouldn’t take this as proof positive of anything. It is possible that this is a second plant. Not a replacement.
So tell me Brownlee what are these future employee’s going to be paid? Are they going to have benefits like the rest of the industrialized world? Why do I highly doubt it. Great for the Brazilian economy my hairy ass more like good for Gou and his fellow diseased subhuman henchmen.
Brazil has a long history of sweatshop labor as well as a long history of child labor and a highly corrupt political system to boot. Just when I thought Terri Gou couldn’t sink any lower he raises the bar and goes from greedy Asian mega corp to South American sweatshop tech baron. Wonder how long before the shit hits the fan and Brazilian workers start jumping off buildings? Keep it up Gou and you’ll have sweatshops in all four corners of the world with the exception of North America and Europe of coarse. They couldn’t ever manufacture there to many labor laws enforcing wages, working conditions and benefit packages on those continents. Terri Gou you are so lost.
(iHate is now beyond depressed)
P.S.
Hey Brownlee the Brazilian president is a woman not a man. If your going to write a story at least take 5 minutes of your precious time and use Google to check your facts.
Whatever…
Hell Yeah, Brazil is a fucking great country. And the president looks a little like a guy. Seriously.
F*** u
Agree!
ok, brazilian people are so comun sense, the majority of us just accept being “stole” with high taxes. The corrupt political system is terrible and the population don’t really care! Here in Brazil, some guys says we are the country of future go to hell! This isn’t true like this!
Also: “Eike” not “Elke”….