Daimler Trucks invests $459 Million in Commercial Vehicle Plants in Brazil

[kscarbel]

Stuttgart / São Bernardo do Campo

October 28, 2013

On the occasion of the 19th “Fenatran” International Transport Show (October 28 thru November 1) in São Paulo, Brazil, Daimler Trucks is announcing a new US$459 million investment package for the commercial vehicle plants of Mercedes-Benz do Brasil.

The investment will be principally focused in research and development of new products and innovative technologies, as well as in process optimizations and modernization of the two production plants São Bernardo do Campo (Federal State São Paulo) and Juiz de Fora (Federal State Minas Gerais).

This financing is part of an extensive investment project of Mercedes-Benz do Brasil, equipped with a total budget of around US$1.15 billion across a 6-year term extending from 2010 to 2015. To date, US$688 million has already been invested in the production of trucks, buses and components at the Brazilian locations.

Stefan Buchner, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Europe and Latin America, emphasized at the Mercedes-Benz press conference on Sunday in São Paulo: “Today, Brazil is the most important sales market for our trucks worldwide. We have faith in the further growth potential of this important market. Therefore, we will continue to invest in new products and state-of-the-art production facilities here.”

Philipp Schiemer, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mercedes-Benz do Brasil, adds: “With a total volume of US$1.15 billion and a term of 6 years, we have put together an extensive investment package. These investments will increase the competitive power of our company on this competitive commercial vehicles market.”

Daimler has been represented in Brazil since 1956 and established itself as a leading commercial vehicle manufacturer in the country with a market-specific product range of Mercedes-Benz trucks, bus chassis and vans. Fifty seven years after the opening of the plant in São Bernardo do Campo, the two-millionth locally produced commercial vehicle rolled from the line in June of this year. This number is made up of around 1.4 million trucks and 600,000 buses and bus chassis.