Mercedes-Benz reactive second shift in bus production at ABC

Mercedes-Benz announced on Tuesday (27) that it reactivated the second round of bus production at the São Bernardo do Campo plant in the ABC Paulista. Since 2016 the factory only produced buses in a single turn. The main reason for increasing the pace of production is the sale of 1600 buses to the public transportation Service of the city of São Paulo. According to the company, this is the largest lot ever sold to the capital of São Paulo. Deliveries should begin in December of this year. According to Philipp Schiemer, president of Mercedes-Benz do Brasil, the forecast for 2019 is that the new bus market is approximately 18000 units – The estimate is a growth of approximately 25% compared to 2018, when they were implacated 14400 copies. Since last year, Mercedes has claimed that it has hired 1100 people to work in the ABC Paulista unit, which also produces trucks. Even so, there will be no new specific hires for the bus line. Now, the factory operates in 2 shifts in the production of buses and trucks, and in 3 shifts in the manufacture of aggregate parts. However, Schiemer said that idleness is still 40%--smaller than it was a year ago. Neighboring fence Schiemer also spoke about the possible exploitation of employees who will be fired by Ford when the São Bernardo plant closes the doors in a few months. A fence separates the land from the two companies in the Taboão neighbourhood. "Ford employees are welcome. They can, yes, apply for [vacancies in the Mercedes] and send resumes, "he said. However, the executive says there are no conversations to establish an agreement to prioritize these employees in future hires, as did General Motors, owner of Chevrolet. "We are open to receive, but have not had any talk about it," he added. Growth depends on reforms Schiemer also commented on the truck market and the expectation for business in 2020. According to the executive, the results should be influenced by the progress of the reforms – especially the welfare and tax. "The market is still showing a recovery. The risk of the train derailed is smaller. But we'd like you to walk more quickly. Advances are slow for the real economy, "he said. Mercedes believes that the current growth is being pulled by the renewal of fleet of sectors such as agribusiness and transportation of liquids, and not increase in purchase to expand fleets. The company also sees with good eyes the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur. "Brazil needs to open to the world. But you need reforms to be competitive. The time to enter into force is sufficient to prepare, "he added. Mercedes did not give projections of production and sales for next year, but expects growth, both for buses and for trucks. In the case of automobiles, the company did not comment. Investments in trucks In addition to reactivating the second round in bus production, Mercedes is also delivering the results of an investment of R $1.4 billion to renew the line of trucks, in which it is market leader. According to Schiemer, the focus of the launches will be the sub-segment of Extra-pesados, trucks that can carry more than 40 tons. The new Actros, coming next year, will be done in San Bernardo. Currently, it is produced in Juiz de Fora (MG). Despite losing the production of the model, the mining plant will remain responsible for the painting of the trucks and the cab assembly. However, Mercedes has not reported the impact of the end of the production of the Actros there.