GreyRhino newsletter - Edition June 2025
Stay ahead of the curve with your go-to source for insightful analysis and expert perspective from project missions diving deep into the "grey rhino" events—highly probable and high-impact threats.
June 2025
Prime Story
China’s Electric Revolution Hits Brazil: Denza, Geely, and GWM Redefine the Automotive Future
In 2025, Brazil's automotive industry is shifting into high gear with the arrival of Chinese electric vehicle giants: Denza, Geely, and Great Wall Motors (GWM). These brands are introducing premium electric vehicles, hybrid SUVs, and local vehicle production, sparking a new era of mobility in Brazil.
Denza, a luxury sub-brand of BYD, is set to debut models like the Denza D9, N7 (B5), and Z9 GT—bringing refined design, cutting-edge tech, and high performance to Brazil’s premium segment. Geely, in strategic alliance with Renault, will locally produce the Geely EX5 electric SUV in Paraná, targeting families and tech-savvy consumers with advanced driver-assistance systems and high-range EV capabilities. Meanwhile, GWM gears up for local production at its Iracemápolis plant, launching the Haval H6, Poer pickup, and WEY 07 luxury SUV, signaling a firm commitment to Brazil’s electrified future.
As global automakers race to lead in sustainable mobility, Brazil is emerging as a strategic hub. These bold moves from Chinese manufacturers will not only expand EV options for Brazilian consumers, but also create jobs, boost localization of components, and make the country a potential export base for Latin America.
If you're following the evolution of the electric vehicle market in Brazil, or scouting for automotive investment opportunities, this article is your front-row seat to the action.
The LatAm Story
Brazilian Executives Leading the Way in Generative AI Adoption
Brazil is emerging as a global frontrunner in the adoption of generative AI—and it's not just a passing trend. Recent studies show that Brazilian executives are embracing artificial intelligence technologies more quickly and confidently than their counterparts in the US, Europe, and Asia. This forward-thinking mindset, rooted in a culture of adaptability, innovation hubs, and the pursuit of business efficiency, is turning Brazil into a strategic AI innovation hotspot.
From agriculture to financial services, Brazilian companies are already integrating generative AI tools to streamline operations, reduce costs, and reimagine customer engagement. This early adoption offers a blueprint for other emerging markets and signals Brazil’s competitive edge in AI-driven digital transformation.
Read on to discover what’s fueling this trend, what it means for the future of business in Brazil, and why global leaders should pay close attention.
From the Newsroom of Industry
Drone Delivery Takes Flight in Curitiba: Correios Launches Pilot Program for the Future of Logistics in Brazil
In a bold step towards the future of logistics, Correios, the Brazilian postal service, has launched a drone delivery pilot program in Curitiba. This pioneering initiative explores the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into the last-mile delivery chain, marking a significant leap in modernizing Brazil's postal infrastructure.
Currently being tested in selected urban areas, the Correios drone program evaluates the performance of UAVs in terms of efficiency, delivery speed, navigation precision, and payload capacity. By adopting drone technology, Correios aims to reduce traffic-related delays and reach remote or difficult-to-access areas, ensuring faster and more sustainable delivery options.
Drone logistics bring transformative potential: from bypassing urban congestion to lowering carbon emissions through electric-powered drones. This pilot project also aligns with international trends, as countries around the globe increasingly experiment with aerial logistics solutions.
The Curitiba drone pilot is not just a test of machinery, but a comprehensive evaluation of public response, noise levels, privacy concerns, and integration with existing logistics networks. As Brazil seeks to digitize and modernize its delivery systems, this trial positions Curitiba as a technological testing ground and Correios as a regional innovator.
Whether you’re in logistics, e-commerce, or urban innovation, this is a development worth watching. Drone delivery in Brazil is no longer a distant vision — it’s in the air, quite literally, above Curitiba.
Short Cuts from Industries
Here’s a crisp and engaging summary of all the news into one powerhouse update for our international business audience:
🌎 LatAm Biz Brief | June Power Moves 🇧🇷🇲🇽🇨🇱
🔥 Brazil’s Beef Boom: Despite new 10% U.S. tariffs, 🇧🇷 shipped 48K tons of beef to the 🇺🇸 in April! U.S. cattle shortage = Brazil’s sizzling opportunity. Already top exporter — now eyeing #1 global producer by 2026.
💸 Arca Continental: Q1 net profit up +10.2%, sales +12.4%. 🇺🇸 market grew over 21%, 🇦🇷🇪🇨 surged +25%. Steady in 🇲🇽. CEO hails strong strategy and execution.
⚡ Chile’s Clean Leap: Grenergy inks 15-year PPA with copper giant Codelco. Green power 24/7 thanks to solar+BESS tech. Also behind mega-project Oasis de Atacama.
🏦 Nubank in Mexico: Approved for full banking license! Nu Mexico (10M users) set to challenge Revolut & Mercado Pago.
🥚 Brazil’s Global Eggs: 🇧🇷 entrepreneur Ricardo Faria to acquire 🇺🇸 Hillandale Farms for $1.1B. Global Eggs expands into Europe + U.S.
🌬️ Repsol’s Wind Ambitions: Launches 364MW wind farm in Chile (US$454M). Antofagasta Phase 1 will power 220K homes. Phase 2 coming.
🛢️ PetroReconcavo Output Up: March production rose 1.56% MoM. Gains at Potiguar & Bahia assets. Steady drilling progress.
💬 LatAm is buzzing — beef, banks, batteries, and barrels! Which trend do you see shaping the region's next growth curve?
Ups & Downs
📊 Brazilian Economic Pulse – June Snapshot 🇧🇷
Brazil’s April economic indicators are a mixed bag — but worth unpacking for anyone keeping an eye on Latin America's industrial and investment dynamics:
✅ Trade surplus keeps climbing: Another strong month with US$ 8.3B in surplus, beating the 2024 monthly average (US$ 7.5B). Industrial exports remain a solid anchor — a quiet strength of Brazil’s external accounts.
📈 Consumer sentiment rebounds: After four months of decline, confidence jumps 4.4 points to 87.5, showing that Brazilians are adjusting to 2025 with a more realistic — and hopeful — view of risk and opportunity. Psychology matters in economics.
🚜 Agri-machinery slows, but not all is bad: Tractor sales in March fell year-over-year (-11%) and month-over-month (-12.8%), but the Q1 growth of +21.6% YoY tells a more optimistic story. Volatility, yes — but not necessarily decline.
📉 M&A freeze sets in: The worst trimester since 2020. Uncertainty from Trump 2.0 in the US is casting a long shadow — even over Brazil’s own fiscal headaches. At iMB.Solutions, we feel it firsthand: Post-merger projects are on ice until the fog clears.
📉 Service sector confidence drops again: Down 2.5 points in April to 90.4, the lowest since May 2021. A reminder: macro-level volatility still weighs heavily on business sentiment in non-industrial sectors.
🧠 Takeaway: Brazil’s fundamentals remain resilient in trade and consumer adaptation, but sentiment-driven sectors and cross-border dealmaking are clearly reacting to global headwinds. Strategy, not just optimism, is key in this moment.
💬 Curious to hear: how are your businesses or portfolios adapting to this current blend of solid exports and soft confidence?
Would you like a Portuguese or German version as well?
News from iMB.Solutions
🌍 Global Project Missions in Flux: High Demand Meets Strategic Shifts
The international market for new project missions is navigating choppy geopolitical waters—but it’s far from stagnant. In fact, demand for project support remains robust across the board. Companies from Brazil and Europe, in particular, are actively pursuing external expertise to drive transformation, growth, and innovation.
However, there’s a distinct regional divide. While North American firms are currently adopting a pronounced wait-and-see stance, and the Mexican project pipeline has temporarily dried up, momentum continues to build in other key areas.
📉 From Long-Term to Modular: Project Structures Are Evolving
A clear trend continues to take shape in the aftermath of the pandemic: project missions are becoming more agile. The dominant model now favors shorter assignments—typically ranging between five and eight months—or missions broken down into discrete, result-oriented packages. This reflects the growing need for speed, flexibility, and targeted impact in today’s volatile environment.
📌 Where Demand is Rising
We’re observing particularly strong demand in the following segments:
Brazilian mid-sized family businesses navigating succession scenarios, with a growing urgency to professionalize operations and attract strategic investors.
Brazilian exporters seeking experienced support to develop and penetrate new international markets.
Brazil-based innovators exploring new business models to remain competitive and resilient in fast-changing markets.
European automotive suppliers realigning local value chains to deepen integration between Brazilian and Mexican operations—driven by regionalization, resilience, and ESG mandates.
Generative AI implementation, particularly the deployment of internal small language models (SLMs) to unlock efficiency gains and knowledge capture within companies.
Despite global uncertainty, the appetite for transformation remains strong. The opportunity lies in embracing agility—both in the structure of project engagements and in the strategic vision behind them.
Get Out
Discover São Paulo through a Night Photo Walk: A Unique Experience for International Business Travelers
In May, we successfully organized a unique photo walk in São Paulo, bringing together an international group of business travelers and photography enthusiasts. Unlike typical expat groups, our participants were executives and professionals visiting Brazil for potential new project missions with iMB.Solutions or attending an event hosted by an international consulting firm in São Paulo.
The night-time photo walk through the vibrant streets of São Paulo's city center offered participants a completely new perspective on the metropolis. The interplay of urban lights, architecture, and street life provided an unforgettable night photography experience. This innovative combination of business travel and cultural immersion demonstrated how exploring São Paulo on foot can create lasting impressions and foster meaningful international connections.
Whether you’re a professional traveling to Brazil or a local seeking a fresh view of the city, this article shares insights into how photography can transform the way we experience global cities like São Paulo.
Contact
🚀 Fast Impact, No Strings Attached: Why iMB.Solutions Is Your Next Strategic Move
Unlock Immediate Impact with iMB.Solutions
📍 When timing, precision, and execution matter most—our manager on-demand (interim and project management for business development, reorganization and business model transformation for international project missions) step in with zero ramp-up, 100% focus, and full accountability.
Why Work With Us?
✅ Immediate Availability – We’re ready when you are
✅ Quick Start-Up – Projects kick off in days, not weeks
✅ Focused Execution – Sharp minds. No distractions.
✅ Goal-Oriented Delivery – We solve, not circle
✅ Updated Expertise – Managers with up-to-date skills and vision
✅ Cost Clarity – Transparent pricing, no hidden costs
✅ Efficient Reporting – Milestone-driven, results-focused
✅ No Termination Costs – No severance, no HR entanglements
Our Collaboration Process
🔹 Step 1: Compatibility Meeting
Meet with your potential manager on-demand—on your premises if possible—to test cultural fit, skills, and creativity. You discuss your situation, simulate potential solutions, and assess alignment.
🔹 Step 2: Strategic Snapshot
Want more certainty? We offer an in-depth diagnostic using our proprietary tools (business development, commercial, reorganization + plant operations). In 3–7 days, we deliver a feasibility study and actionable report—fast, focused, and fixed-fee.
🔹 Step 3: Let’s Execute
If it’s a match, we define the mission scope, set milestones, agree on reporting and confidentiality terms, and negotiate a fair, value-based compensation. It’s your roadmap to results.
What You Get:
🎯 Rapid onboarding
🎯 Zero HR complexity
🎯 Precision-driven delivery
📩 Ready for a high-impact partnership?
Let’s start the conversation. Your challenge deserves more than consultants—it deserves hands-on leadership.
👉 Contact Us
independent management on-demand | interim management | business development | reorganization | transformation | LatAm | Brazil | Mexico/USMCA
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Discover What Matters Most to You—Backed by 140+ Project Missions!
Curious about the impact of our insights at iMB.Solutions? We put our articles, blogs, and case studies to the test—running three independent AI-driven queries with Perplexity, Google Gemini, and Mistral. The result? A powerful keyword cloud reflecting the topics that truly resonate.
Do you see yourself in these trends? Let’s connect and explore how our expertise—shaped by 140+ project missions over two decades—can drive your success.
