The Sao Bernardo plant has been specialized in the production of parts since 2001. But it will always be associated with the Bandeirante, a J40 Land Cruiser equipped with a Mercedes-Benz OM-364 engine. It was a naturally aspirated four-cylinder diesel, so the Bandeirante was terribly slow. Still, there was a huge demand for durable farm vehicles in Brazil at the time, and that's what this off-roader was good at.
In 1994, the Sao Bernardo plant was still churning out Banderantes long after the rest of the world had moved on to more luxurious Land Cruisers, including the Land Cruiser 70. That year, it finally received a Toyota 3.7-liter inline-four diesel engine, and production continued until 2001.
The Sao Bernardo plant simply isn't needed anymore because before it closed, it only made parts for the Corolla and Hilux. Other factories can easily do the job.
What about the employees? Toyota is doing the most to give the Sao Bernardo workers a chance at the three other plants in Brazil. The remaining plants produce models built specifically for the South American market, including unique versions of the Corolla Cross, Corolla Sedan and Yaris.
"The history of production at the Sao Bernardo factory is closing, but we are preparing for the future," said Masahiro Inoue, General Manager of the Latin America Division, at the factory's closing ceremony. "Together with the employees and their families who have relocated (due to the production transfer), Toyota will produce even better cars and expand exports to Central and South America. We will contribute to the further development of the Brazilian automobile industry."
Source: Carbuzz
