Here we have an example of a car that had every reason to fail, but ended up being a success and is still considered one of Brazil's iconic cars. 

Who could have imagined that a brand famous for producing and selling popular models would risk launching a luxury model? Well, that's what Volkswagen did, and it was amidst this distrust mixed with prejudice that the Santana was launched on the Brazilian market in June 1984. 

Sold in three versions at the time: CS, CG, and CD, it featured items that until then were only found in more expensive and sophisticated models, such as air conditioning and power steering. The most expensive option also had an automatic transmission.

In 1991, the model underwent a radical restyling and survived until 2005, when its production ended in a melancholic manner. Although it has been out of production for 15 years, the vehicle is still fondly remembered for its robustness, interior space, and power.