Semcon Chooses Dassault Systèmes PLM Solutions to Reduce Response Time to Customer Requests

Company Expands CATIA Implementation to Keep Pace With Constant Growth of Country's Automotive Market

São Paulo, Brazil, December 16, 2008 - Dassault Systèmes (DS) (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, and, Semcon/IVM Automotive Brasil, specializing in end-to-end automotive development, today reaffirmed their partnership and announced the purchase of additional CATIA virtual design software seats.  IVM expanded its CATIA implementation to address its growing demand for customized, faster, and more responsive production.

Specializing in the end-to-end development of vehicles, including electrical and electronic systems, engines, transmissions, chassis, design, bodywork, interiors, structural calculations and simulations, samples, prototype building and testing, Semcon/IVM Automotive Brasil sees great growth potential on the Brazilian market, expecting to close 2008 with 30% growth.

“The evolution of the sector, the new requirements of Brazilian consumers and the consequent needs of Brazilian and international manufacturers, besides the stiff competition in the country, have driven the entire supply chain to anticipate market requests, such as shorter time-to-market,” said Renato Perrotta, executive director of Semcon/IVM Automotive Brasil.

For Semcon/IVM Automotive Brasil, investment in technology is needed to keep the company up-to-date and competitive, and serve the new businesses that arise all the time as the automotive industry heats up and keeps breaking records. In Brazil, the company is one of the automotive industry’s largest engineering and development partners, developing projects for large OEMs, along with serving automotive systems providers and suppliers.

“The time needed for the development of an automobile, for example, has been reduced from 48 to 30 months in different assemblers in the country,” said Michael Zemlenoi, territory manager, Brazil, Dassault Systèmes. "Virtual prototypes and performance mock-ups are becoming a standard practice in this industry.  They reduce costs, increase time-to-market and productivity and, one of the most important benefits, allow a manufacturer to increase the safety of the final product.”