Brazil urban mobility sector faces R$ 400 billion investment potential

Brazil faces a significant opportunity for urban mobility investment, with estimates from BNDES and the Ministry of Cities suggesting over R$ 400 billion in investments through 2050 to modernize metropolitan transport. By 2030, the market for subway cars alone is expected to reach approximately R$ 24 billion, requiring more than 2,000 units.

However, there are concerns regarding the impact on domestic industry. Recent trends show that 100% of passenger train orders over the last three years—roughly 800 cars—were met through imports from China or assembly operations where most components are produced abroad. This shift threatens a domestic supply chain of over 240 companies that provides steel, aluminum, electrical systems, and engineering services, which has historically supported approximately 100,000 jobs.