It appears that Apple is about to expand its manufacturing
operations
to Brazil, where a new Foxconn factory is already in place and ready to
churn out iPads, according to a report from national media outlet
UOL. Aolizio Mercadante, the country's minister of
science and technology, confirmed
the news
this week during a hearing held by the Commission of Economic Affairs.
"At first many doubted, but it will be the first time that [Apple] will
produce
iPads outside Chinese territory," Mercadente said. "We are
taking a big step for digital inclusion in the country." Located in
Jundiaí, the new facility was constructed under a
joint venture between Foxconn and the Brazilian
government,
with the former reportedly contributing $12 million to the initiative.
Rumors of a South American expansion began circulating earlier this
year, with many expecting Foxconn's Brazil-based operations to get underway during Q1 of 2012, according to
DigiTimes. Construction, however, appears to have wrapped up ahead of
schedule,
with Mercadante claiming that iPad shipments will begin in December.
Apple, for its part, has not commented on the report.
source:
Engadget
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