The acquisition of a marquee American brand by a group of Brazilian deal makers surprised some in the U.S. But back in Brazil, it helped fuel the ambitions of a Brazilian business class growing increasingly flush amid an economic boom.
"We have diversified our route network, focused on providing the best product in Upper Class, Premium Economy and Economy, hedged our fuel purchasing and built up a strong cash position, " he added.
Some are being discontinued because they flopped in the market, like the Maybach ultra-luxury sedan, the Mercedes-Benz R-class or the Lexus HS250h, a pricey hybrid that fell short in terms of fuel efficiency, luxury and functionality.