The 27th edition of the International Motor Show of Sao Paulo is just beginning. Check it out!

This the Audi R8 GT Spyder, costing R$ 1,2 mi in Brazil 

The Salão do Automóvel de São Paulo (International Motor Show of Sao Paulo), is the largest and most important automotive event in Latin America. All car enthusiasts can enjoy the big industry trends and what is most modern in the automotive world.

In a few days for the opening of the 27th edition of the Salão do Automóvel de São Paulo, we know so far that the luxury brands Lamborghini, Bugatti, Pagani, Koenigsegg and Spyker will not be exposing at this time. The reason is the 30% tax applied by the Brazilian Government on imported vehicles.

Not only is high pricing an issue. The high cost to exhibit kept away luxury car brands such as Ferrari and Maserati, for example. This is the first time since 1991 that these brands will not be part of the event. A way to participate was to use Fiat's space (owner of the two brands), to accommodate a supercar of each: a Ferrari 458 Spider and a Maserati GranCabrio Sport. The Fiat novelty will be the new 500C, a convertible version of the Cinquecento.

The German Porsche will bring the 911 Carrera 4S, Boxster (including S version), GTS coupe of the Panamera and Cayenne. Also the German brands Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz will be present. Audi will bring the Audi A1, A3 and R8 GT Spyder (sold in the Brazilian market for R$ 1.2 million). The BMW M5 comes with the newly released Series 6 GranCoupé. Rumour has it that electric cars i3 and i8 will be featured. The Mercedes-Benz SL roadster brings the new Class A and B. The British brand MINI (BMW that belongs to the group) will bring the Cooper and the recently launched Paceman.

The new Viper (now SRT), will be representing the Chrysler brand. Among the Japanese brands, Lexus will display the rare LF-A and Toyota will show the Etios and the FT86 sports, developed in partnership with Subaru. The Korean Hyundai will present the HB20, the i30 and Santa Fé.

The Jaguar will show the F-Type. The Land Rover brand brings the big Range Rover jeep to Sao Paulo. The Bentley brings the Continental GTC V8. The Aston Martin shows the Mirage.

The Citroën will bring the DS4 and DS5 and also an electric car concept called Survolt. The Peugeot promotes the 208, which will be released next year in Brazil. The Renault brings the new Clio to the Mercosur and the prototype Alpine A-110 50.

Among the group of the four major Brazilian automakers (Ford, General Motors, Fiat and Volkswagen), have already announced their attractions. Ford invest in Fusion, Focus and Fiesta (national) and displays the Mustang Boss. VW will present the new generation of the Beetle, and the Canyon. GM already displays the popular Onix, the SUV Trailblazer and Malibu sedan, imported from the United States.

Proof read: guitargirlcc

Service
What: 27º Salão Internacional do Automóvel de São Paulo
Where: Pavilhão de Exposições do Anhembi - Avenida Olavo Fontoura, 1.209
When: October 24th to November 4th; On October 24th, from 1 pm till 10 pm; on the last day, the event ends at 5 pm.
Price: The prices range from R$ 45 to R$ 80. Children pay from R$ 22.50 to R$ 40.
Website: www.salaodoautomovel.com.br/

F-Indy 2012: Anhembi Circuit expects 30 thousand people this year

Castroneves is the Brazilian pilot better ranked on the Indy Championship

The fourth round of the 2012 IndyCar Series take place in São Paulo this weekend. According to the Brazilian Hotel Industry in the State of São Paulo (Abih-SP), the city will receive up to 30 thousand tourists - among spectators, attendants, mechanics, teams, sponsors and journalists.

Regarding the 31 thousand tickets (almost sold out), about eight thousand were purchased by people who do not live in Sao Paulo. According to Luiz Sales, director of SPTuris, the debut of the Brazilian driver Rubens Barrichello, who just quit his career in Formula 1, helped to sell more tickets this year. It was much faster than the two previous editions.

It is estimated that the city move about R$ 85 million with the Formula Indy this year. About R$ 5 million more than in 2011. Hospitality is the higher cost of this calculation.

Formula 1
The Indy is still far from being compared to Formula 1 in São Paulo, one of the most important events for the city's tourism - held at the Interlagos Speedway, the race moves R$ 240 million during its three days. The competition, however, occurs in the city since 1989.

Service
What: São Paulo Formula Indy 2012
Where: Anhembi
When: April 28th to 29th. The gates open at 7 am.
Price: R$ 180 to R$ 250 (There are still available only the ARQUIBANCADA SETOR E - 2º LOTE, ARQUIBANCADA SETOR F - 1° LOTE and ARQUIBANCADA SETOR G - 2° LOTE)
Phone: +55 (11) 4003-1527
Ticket: www.livepass.com.br/sao-paulo-indy-300-2012/

Sao Paulo got the 1st position on the Hubculture ranking. Once again...

That's the 6th issue of the Annual Hub Culture Zeitgeist. This is a collaborative global network composed of opinion leaders and professionals from various fields. And guess what: São Paulo is the winner (by the third year). With more BRIC cities in the top positions than ever before, but is all about Brazil and China.

The chosen locations are the ones that make a difference not only by economic indicators, but also the spirit of entrepreneurship and opportunity, cultural diversity and other creative features. (Click here to understand how they create this ranking).

The first place
According the Hub Culture, São Paulo is ever more popular, and ever more desirable for corporate postings, regional businesses, and those looking to experience the Brazilian boom first-hand.

Check out the full list of Hub Culture's 2012 Zeitgeist Ranking
1. Sao Paulo, Brazil
2. Hong Kong, China
3. Beijing, China
4. Berlin, Germany
5. London, UK
6. New York, United States
7. Sydney, Australia
8. Singapore, Malaysia
9. Istanbul, Turkey
10. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
11. Cape Town, South Africa
12. Tóquio, Japan
13. Seattle, United States
14. Mexico, Mexico
15. Shanghai, China
16. San Francisco, United States
17. Dubai, UAE
18. Los Angeles, United States
19. Moscow, Russia
20. Abu Dhabi, UAE

São Paulo became the 10th most expensive city in the world

Skye Bar and Restaurant at the roof of the expensive Hotel Unique

Sao Paulo beats London, Paris and New York and becomes the tenth most expensive city in the world. Nowadays, according to Mercer Consulting, living in São Paulo is more expensive than in most European and American cities. The study is based on the cost that multinational companies need to spend to maintain a foreign official in the city.

In 2010, California was only the 21st most expensive city in the world. But the appreciation of the local currency (Real), the boom of rental prices and food have made this city one of the biggest jumps among the 214 cities evaluated.

Sao Paulo went up 11 positions and surpassed London, Paris and New York

Rio de Janeiro also rose in the rankings, moving from 29th most expensive city in the world in 2010 to 12th this year.

The world's most expensive city to live for a foreigner is Luanda, followed by Tokyo. Moscow is the fourth, followed by Geneva. Zurich, also in Switzerland, is the seventh most expensive in the world. New York is only the 32nd most expensive.

[source: estadao]

Elections in Brazil

Today Brazilians are going to elect their next President. The candidates are Dilma Roussef (PT) and José Serra (PSDB). In Brazil the vote is mandatory so around 135 milion people are supposed to make a choice today.
If you want to follow the elections in English, here is a good link from the newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo.

http://comentarios.folha.com.br/comentarios?comment=107644&site=folhaonline&skin=liveblog

Special Night Market at Ceagesp is the best place to buy Cod for Easter

The Santa Feira do Peixe (Holy Fish Market), held for the fifth consecutive year, will be open for the Night Market. The prices of fish sold at the fair are usually 20% cheaper.

There are options to buy the whole fish or even shredded. For those who prefer to get fresh fish there are many varieties. Also will be sold vegetables, fresh herbs and seasonings. Check out some of the best prices:

• Bacalhau do Porto: R$ 38,90/kg;
• Saithe: R$21/kg;
• Tilápia: R$ 5,80/kg;
• Corvina: R$ 8,50/kg;
• Tainha: R$ 8,50/kg

Service
Where: Ceagesp - Av. das Nações Unidas, gate 13
When: March 30th to April 1st, from 4pm till 9pm.
How much: For free to get in.
Website: www.ceagesp.gov.br/

The price of the Metro ticket will rise to R$ 2.65 next February 9th

The single tickets of both Metro and CPTM (Trains) will rise by 3.9% but it remains less than buses; Bilhete Único (integration) will cost R$ 4.07, which means 1.8% increasing.

After facing an increase of 17.4% of the bus fare on January 4th, now it's time to the readjustment of the Metro and CPTM of São Paulo. The single fare rises from R$ 2.55 to R$ 2.65.

The new price starts next Tuesday. With the adjustment, the price of subway, usually more expensive than the bus, is below the current R$ 2.70.

With the adjustment, integration with the bus in the capital is only $ 4 to U.S. $ 4.07, an increase of 1.8%. The biggest fix was in line 5/Lilás, passing from R $ 2.45 to $ 2.55 (4.1%).

Dawn With overcrowding at peak times, workers who use transport early have benefited from less adjustment: the rate is from $ 2.35 to $ 2.40, an increase of 2.1%.

The State Government said that the adjustments are lower than the IPC/Fipe inflation rate between February 2009 and January 2010, which was 4.4%.

Brazilian survey elects Sao Paulo as best Capital City to receive tourists

A research organized by the Ministry of Tourism and the FGV (Getulio Vargas Foundation) shows that Sao Paulo is the best capital city to receive tourists in Brazil.

The survey observed 13 issues, such as: infrastructure, social, cultural and environmental policies and tourist attractions, etc.

Altogether, between July and September 2008, 65 cities were evaluated, of which 38 are not capital cities. The best result of all was Foz do Iguacu, Parana.

In the case of Sao Paulo, the city won on the other capital cities thanks to four items: services and tourist facilities, economy, entrepreneurship and easy access.

The first item includes tourist signs, event spaces, restaurants and hotel capacity. The second evaluates aspects such as the ease of doing business.

If on one side the entrepreneurship markers consider factors such as the presence of large companies, on the side of access the ease to get in and out of the city is evaluated as an important topic.

The bus ticket price will rise up next January in Sao Paulo

The City Mayor Gilberto Kassab (DEM party) said on September 14th that the bus fare in the capital (currently at R$ 2.30), will suffer an increase next January. During an interview to The Radio Bandeirantes, Kassab said that the studies to define the new value hasn't started yet.

However, Alexandre de Moraes (the Secretary of Transport), said that the proposed adjustment will be sent to Kassab on October. Since 2006, the ticket price has been the same and during the 2008 elections, Gilberto Kassab promised to keep the value on 2009.

[source: destak]

Guarulhos Airport: cheap bus ticket to Sao Paulo

If you are about to go to Guarulhos Airport (or coming back), the cheapest way is to get a bus leaving from Tatuape's Subway Station. The bus ticket price is about R$ 3,60. It's a bus line connecting São Paulo city with the Guarulhos airport, which has a rate slightly higher than the average buses. There is no comfort, but it is worth.

Economy
There are 3 ways to go. A special air conditioned buses (R$ 28), taxicab (with costs depending on location) and this cheap bus line (R$ 3,65). Apart the price, there is the advantage of time. The ride lasts around 25 minutes if there is no traffic jam. From the Tatuape's Subway Station (located beside the Marginal Tietê), the buses can handle really well the bottling on the way to the city. Enough to be better than taxi, depending on the time when you decides to go. Further more, taxicabs have to charge around 50% more for changing the council (Sao Paulo and Guarulhos are different cities). To get an idea about taxis ranges, from the airport to the Tatuape's station, the price is average R$ 70.

Service
Where to get: If you are at Guarulhos airport, go outside and find the bus stop close to the departing gate number 1. This bus goes to the Subway Station (that's the last stop). Once there, take the escalator and you are at the Tatuape's Subway Station (Red line).
If you are in Sao Paulo and want to go to Guarulhos, take a Subway to Tatuape Station and when you arrive, find a way out and turn left as soon as you cross the turnstile. About 50 meters later, goes down stairs and the Bus Stop is right there. Pretty easy!
Price: R$ 3,65
Schedule: from 5am till 12h10am (via Airton Senna highway); from 4h55am till 10pm (via Assis Ribeiro highway).

August 4th 2009: Mark Zuckerberg from Facebook in Sao Paulo

Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook, will be lecturing at FGV (Fundação Getúlio Vargas) in São Paulo attending the event FGVcenn - Centro de Empreendedorismo e Novos Negócios (New Business and Entrepreneurship Center). The lecture will be conducted in person for students of FGV and also it will be live broadcast for free via www.facebook.com/fgvcenn.

It's a great chance to hear his story and learn a bit more about Facebook.

Service
When: August 4th 2009, Tuesday from 11am till 1pm (GMT +3).
How much: For free.
Website: www.facebook.com/fgvcenn

Accessing the broadcast is easy:
1) Enter the event Facebook page: www.facebook.com/fgvcenn
2) Select the tab: LIVE
3) Click on: Enter Broadcast

Know and use the tool of Live stream of Facebook to watch the lecture, discuss and comment in real time

Sao Paulo will host the Rotary International Convention in 2015

São Paulo won the competition for the 2015 Rotary International Convention, which is expecting about 40 thousand participants.

São Paulo competed in the final round with other tough destinations such as Houston and Phoenix (USA), but won unanimously by 13 votes. The event will be at the largest convention and exhibition center of the continent, the Anhembi Park.

The event will be prepared for a great number of participants (40 thousand people are expected) among registered by the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA). Nowadays, São Paulo leads the international ranking of hosting events in America. "The victory, strengthens the position of São Paulo as one of the best destinations for events of this matter", comments Caio Luiz de Carvalho, the president of São Paulo Turismo (SPTuris). "We must also remember that in 2015 the city will be even better because the work of urban mobility that will be made for the 2014 World Cup," he added.

São Paulo has already hosted this meeting in 1981 when it's received 17 thousand people from 94 different countries. Last year the event happened in Los Angeles and, this year in Birmingham. The next editions will be in Montreal (2010), New Orleans (2011), Bangkok (2012), Lisbon (2013) and Sydney (2014).

Subway ticket more expensive in Sao Paulo

The value of subway ticket will rise to R$2.55 on February 9th. The increase of 6.3% was based on inflation measured by the last 12 months. The integration between bus and rail transport using "bilhete unico", will increase from R$ 3.65 to R$ 3.75

SP Government announces credit of R$ 4 billion for financing of vehicles

The governor of Sao Paulo, Jose Serra, has announced last Nov. 11th a R$ 4 billion credit line sponsor for 15 different car companies banks. This money is coming from the State Bank Nossa Caixa and is now available and the institutions may grant credit to people interested in buying vehicles across the country. It comes as a help for the credit line of equal value relief last week by Banco do Brazil. Institutions that decide take this credit will have 18 months to return the value. Funding will be taken directly by banks through deposits. The agreement aims to put money in the market and facilitate the purchase of vehicles to ensure the continued production and the equivalent level of employment. The president of Anfavea (National Association of Automobiles Manufacturers), Jackson Schneider, celebrated the decision. He says there was "rapid response" of the federal government, through the Banco do Brasil and Caixa Economica Federal, and now the State Government, through Nossa Caixa.
"We sell almost 70% through the credit. The credit moves our market and our labor force", he said.

Source: G1

Agreement was signed at the Bandeirantes Palace (Photo: Milton Micha)

Introducing: Mercado Municipal

This construction of 1933 is one of the most representatives projects of Ramos de Azevedo. Full of colored glass from the Russian artist Conrad Sorgenicht Filho, the location is ideal to find exotic fruits and spices typical from other countries, moreover, is an excellent option to admire the architecture in neoclassical style, which has gone through reforms. With the Revitalization Program of the Center of São Paulo, the Mercado Municipal (Central Market) -- or simply "Mercadão" as everyone says --, had been rebuilt in 2003. In addition to restoring the facade, stained glass and painting, the building also received new facilities such as underground, the old Hall of Auctions (now Hall of Events) and mezzanine, which offers eight restaurants.
This is the most traditional gourmets point of São Paulo, the Mercadão surprises with a big variety of domestic and imported foods. With an area of more than 20 thousand square meters of built area, it offers 281 boxes with more than a thousand employees working to serve around 20 thousand customers every day. The total market usually trades more than 350 tons of food daily. In addition it's possible to taste the traditional pastel of cod or a classical Sanduíche de Mortadela (Bologna's Sandwich), and the visitors can also eat traditional Brazilian dishes such as rice and beans, or even enjoy the Japanese cuisine.

Sources: G1; photo: OVSP; and video: TurnHere

Service
Where: Mercado Municipal (click to see the map), Rua da Cantareira, 306 - Centro
Phone: +55 (11) 3228-0673
When: Monday to Saturday From 6am to 6pm and from 6am to 4pm on Sundays and holidays.
Web: http://www.mercadomunicipal.com.br
How Much: For free

Architects of the Chinese stadium Bird's Nest will build the Sao Paulo's new theater

Project is budgeted at R$ 300 million and it will be built in the center. Pair of Swiss architects created the Olympic Stadium in Beijing.

The Swiss Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, architects who have signed the project of the Beijing Olympic Stadium (known as Bird's Nest), will be responsible for creating the new theater of dance and opera, which serves as a headquarters for the São Paulo Company of Dance. The theater will be in front of the Sala Sao Paulo, at Estação da Luz, and will be part of a cultural complex with three theaters, which will occupy an area of 19 thousand square meters in the central region of São Paulo. The project is budgeted on R$ 300 million, from the State Treasury. A pair of architects to build an office in Sao Paulo and has until 2010 to complete the project. The works, however, must be started already in the coming year, to finish at the end of 2010.

Source: G1

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Trade in Sao Paulo grows 2.1% in August

The trade of Sao Paulo's metropolitan region has registered 2,1% of growth in sales last August, in comparison with the same month last year. This is the 29th consecutive increase of the index, which accumulates high of 4.8% this year compared with the same period of 2007 following the evaluation of Fecomercio-SP (Sao Paulo Trade Federation). In this assessing, the indices show that São Paulo is still worth the supply of credit and the recovery of income and employment, which stimulates consumption. The expectation, however, is that this framework undergoes changes in the medium term because of the influence of international crisis, considering the Fecomercio-SP.

The highest elevations are in the sector of clothing, fabrics and shoes, with high of 17%, registering the 25th consecutive months of discharge.

The segment of Stores Building Materials ranks second place in sales, with increases of 16.6% in August. Then the automobile sector, with a high of 14.3%. They also reported growth in August, on the same basis of comparison, the sectors of Furniture and Decoration Stores (6,3%), Pharmacy and Perfumeries (5,9%) and Appliances and Electronics Stores (2,4%).

Supermarkets already showed a decrease of 6,5%. According to Fecomercio-SP, the result had influence the increase in prices of commodities (raw materials) by seasonal factors. It also recorded negative performance of the Departments Stores (-8,7%) and the Stores Autoparts & Accessories (-28,5%).

Source: Agência Estado

Sao Paulo leads new jobs offers

During August, more than 239 thousand new vacancies of formal jobs were opened in Brazil. It has signified a growth of 0.78% compared to July. 1,8 million new jobs were opened in the last eight months. The state of Sao Paulo is the one that has increased the most within about 725 thousand new roles.

That's true! Inside the city of Sao Paulo, it's possible to see how busy and noisy the city is right now. Everyone is working, no one has time enough to have lunch or even complain about lack in the market place. It's such an important economic change as Brazil has never seen before. Lots of investitors are coming to São Paulo and starting new business.

Those numbers about new jobs are a proof of it, because they means official places in the market, paying taxes and declaring gains. It used to be hiden years ago. People didn't want to show their gains trying to avoid fees with the government. In this brand new situation it's impossible to avoid formal job. Mainly on the building sector, where big investitors are starting to play. Also on the service's sector there are lots of new roles. There are lots of money running out and lots of jobs to do.

Since the beginning of this year, Brazil started to release easier loan for average people. It's warming up the economy and also the furniture sector, plumber's, eletrician's, eletronic device's... More than 120 thousand houses were already financed this year.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Carlos Lupi, is smiling as a child inside a toy shop. He also makes optimistic predictions regarding the new situation. "We will pass the 2 million jobs by the end of the year," he said. "Brazil has become a Mecca of big business", confirming. According to him, employment growth in Brazil is a phenomenon that grabs the attention in the world. "These are significant numbers even in comparison with China."

Brazil is still growing up even amoung this crisis around US. The government is self confident about the growth. Sao Paulo is the place where most of this changes are happening now.

Source: http://g1.globo.com/

Photo: sxc.hu