Chevrolet's PACE plant in the Brazilian state of Ceará has pulled off something remarkable in just one year — and it's not done yet. Before the end of 2026, the factory will start production of the Chevrolet Captiva PHEV, the brand's first plug-in hybrid built in Brazil and the plant's third model in under 12 months. The move was confirmed by GM South America president Thomas Owsianski.
PACE began assembling the Spark EUV in December 2025, and on June 17, 2026, the fully electric Captiva EV joined the line. General Motors had already hinted at a third production line for a vehicle using powertrain technology new to Chevrolet in Brazil — but kept the model's identity under wraps. At the same time, the company said further expansion could potentially push the plant's capacity up to 50,000 vehicles a year.
Now the mystery is solved: the third model will be the Captiva PHEV. Chevrolet hasn't revealed the technical specs for the Brazilian-built version yet, but the version already on sale in Argentina offers a clear benchmark. A 1.5-liter gasoline engine works alongside the electric motor, delivering a combined 204 hp and 310 Nm, with a 20.5 kWh battery. The Argentine spec claims 90 km of electric-only range on the NEDC cycle and more than 1,000 km of total range.
PACE is transforming before our eyes — from a site assembling two electric cars into a full production hub building both BEVs and PHEVs for Chevrolet. The next thing to watch is the Brazilian-spec Captiva PHEV: GM still has to announce the exact launch date, specs, and price. Owsianski himself added after the announcement that the company's next move is “closer than it seems.” He didn't share any details.
