Brazilian Embassy Delegation Visits Volkswagen Headquarters in Wolfsburg
Ambassador Rodrigo Baena Soares tours production facilities to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation
March 19th, 2026
On March 17, Ambassador Rodrigo Baena Soares conducted an official visit to the Volkswagen headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany. During this high-level engagement, the Ambassador was hosted at the company’s primary manufacturing facility, which is recognized globally as one of the largest and most sophisticated industrial complexes in operation. Over the course of the last eight decades, this landmark site has achieved the significant production milestone of over 49 million vehicles rolling off its assembly lines, symbolizing a cornerstone of global automotive engineering and industrial history.
In addition to the site inspection, the Ambassador held a formal meeting with Thomas Schmall, CEO of Volkswagen Group Components and Chairman of the Latin America Committee of German Business (LADW). Mr. Schmall, who has spent pivotal stages of his professional career in Brazil, discussed with the Ambassador the expansive potential for continued economic and trade cooperation between Brazil and Germany. Their dialogue focused on identifying new avenues for commercial synergy and highlighted the upcoming significance of Brazil’s role as the official partner country at the HANNOVER MESSE, scheduled for April 20 to 24.
The relationship between the automotive manufacturer and Brazil is deeply rooted in history, dating back to 1959 with the inauguration of the first Volkswagen plant outside of Germany in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo. Since that inaugural expansion, the company has maintained exceptionally close ties with the Brazilian state, fostering a legacy of industrial integration. Currently, Volkswagen stands as the preeminent automobile manufacturer in the country, maintaining a robust operational footprint that includes four specialized production plants and a centralized distribution hub to serve the regional market.
Ultimately, this diplomatic visit reaffirmed the enduring industrial and commercial bonds that connect the German automotive sector with the Brazilian economy. The discussions facilitated during the tour underscore a mutual commitment to fostering growth through technological exchange and shared economic objectives. By reinforcing these longstanding institutional ties and exploring future collaborative projects, both parties continue to strengthen the foundation of their bilateral relationship. These initiatives represent a vital and ongoing contribution to the broader framework of international cultural diplomacy.
