Abstract

This paper deals with the socio-economic implications of the technical basis
in the Brazilian automobile industry, due to the diffusion of microelectronics automated
equipment. It is shown that this industry has entered a new phase of greater integration with
the industry at the world level, both in technical and economic terms. Automation based
on microelectronics is being used to support patterns of production of increased efficiency.
Outdated capital-labour relations in the industry may begin to evolve accordingly with the
new political development toward democratization of the country.

JEL Classification: L62; L63; F10.