SAO PAULO-the Mercedes-Benz of Brazil yesterday announced investments of r $ 1 billion for truck and bus factories in São Bernardo do Campo (SP) and Juiz de Fora (MG). The amount shall be applied in 2014 and 2015 on research and development of products and technologies, nationalization and modernization of component production areas.
Earlier this month, the Group had already announced $ 500 million for the construction of a car factory in Iracemápolis (SP), with start of operations planned for 2016.
Sunday's announcement was made by the President of the Division of trucks, Stefan Buchner, who said that the German group's biggest investment in a country currently. "One out of every four trucks we produce is made in Brazil," said. The country is the largest consumer of commercial vehicles of the brand, followed by Germany.
Buchner participated in the presentation of the news that the company exhibited at the international exhibition of transport (Fenatran), which will be open to the public on Monday, at Anhembi.
"Our company is responsible for the biggest sector investment plan, allocating r $ 2.5 billion to Brazil from 2010 to 2015, with a focus on the inauguration of the new factory in Juiz de Fora and increased productive capacity in São Bernardo," said Philipp Schiemer, President of Mercedes-Benz of Brazil.
The Mercedes is the biggest Brazilian manufacturer of commercial vehicles. In sales, is a leader in the segment of buses and deputy leader in trucks. Buchner emphasized that the goal is to regain the lead in trucks, lost to the MAN/Volkswagen for ten years. "It may sound crap, but we work every day to fulfill what we have promised."
In all, the major manufacturers of trucks and buses have plans to invest about $ 5 billion by 2016.
The MAN follows the plan started in 2009 to contributions of $ 1 billion, but for the time being, given up on having a new factory. "Brazil is one of the most interesting markets in the world for us," said the President of the world of MAN trucks and buses, Anders Nielsen.
Iveco, the Fiat Group, will apply r $ 900 million in the period 2012-2014 (30% of any contribution that the company will do in the markets where it operates) and works to be among the three largest manufacturers in the Country. "The competition forces us to be creative, use technologies more aligned with what's out there and we're not afraid to face it," said Mark Borba, Vice President of Iveco when talking about the arrival of new manufacturers. The brand holds today 9% share of total sales.
Marketplace. The companies expect to this year a market of 150 thousand trucks, 12% greater than that of 2012. For 2014, bets range from stability to growth of 6%.
There is great anxiety of executives over the announcement of new rules for the federal financing program Finame, used in 60% to 70% of sales in the sector. Today, the monthly interest is 4%, but there are fears that this rate go up, what can change sales forecasts.
Rogelio Golfarb, Vice President of Ford, works with a market near 165 thousand trucks in 2014, while his peers speak in 150 thousand to 160 thousand. Ford will invest in the country $ 670 million by 2015.
Among the highlights of Fenatran, which stay open until Friday, there's the Econfort, Mercedes Atego, semipesado first to receive fully automated Exchange. Volvo FH 16750 shows, the biggest truck sold in Europe (has a capacity of 250 tons), that will be imported and will cost $ 1 million. Also has the first truck powered by natural gas, while Scania exposes your truck the ethanol.
The DAF presents its first truck, the XF 105, which began to be produced in Ponta Grossa (PR) this month. Fiat launches Uno Van and the new Fiorino, both made on the platform of the Uno, replacing the models made at the base of the Mille, which comes out of line.
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