Tour of VAG’s State‑of‑the‑Art Facility
VAG Bus Romania, known for its premium-quality minibus conversions and bespoke transport solutions, welcomed the delegation to its modern plant. The company has completed over 650 conversion projects to date. The Piatra Neamț facility, built on a 40,000 m² site acquired in 2020, is nearing final completion. It is projected to produce up to 600 minibuses per year, reinforcing VAG’s position as a key player in Eastern European bus manufacturing.
VAG’s range includes the Liberty, Focus, and Navigator models—each customizable for passenger transport, tourism, school services, and long-distance travel. Notably, the company has also invested in an all-electric minibus prototype, reflecting its commitment to sustainability.
GOUV’s Strategic Agreement with VAG
During the visit, the General President of GOUV underscored the importance of the agreement signed between GOUV and VAG earlier in 2025. This cooperation pact aims to extend VAG’s manufacturing and conversion expertise into the South American market, with initial projects slated to roll out before the end of 2025.
GOUV—a digital platform facilitating international industrial partnerships—has been actively promoting Brazilian–Romanian cooperation, as seen during the First Brazil–Romania Business Forum in Bucharest in May 2024. The agreement with VAG signals GOUV’s growing operational ambitions beyond Brazil’s borders.
Brazilian Embassy’s Role in Trade and Investment
Representatives from the Brazilian Embassy’s SECOM (Commercial and Investment Promotion Section) in Bucharest accompanied the delegation. SECOM supports Brazilian exporters and investors entering the Romanian and Eastern European markets. In light of VAG’s expansion plan into South America, the embassy’s engagement underscores its commitment to fostering Brazil–Romania trade — both at governmental and private-sector levels.
Economic and Strategic Implications
This initiative aligns with broader bilateral efforts to expand economic relations. Recent data from Ambassador Ricardo Guerra de Araújo notes Brazil–Romania trade is valued around US $600–700 million annually, with ambitions to reach US $1 billion. Further, high-level discussions have been held regarding cyber-defense, civil defense, education, and planning a second Brazil–Romania business forum.
The GOUV–VAG agreement, supported by diplomatic and business partners, promises not just technology exchange but also significant economic development. VAG’s expansion is expected to create local jobs and contribute to regional growth, while GOUV’s projects aim to enhance connectivity between European manufacturers and South American markets.