Mercedes extends funding for extra heavy vehicles

The fight in the most profitable segment of the trucks of extra-heavy, should be even fiercer with the expansion of financing of Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES) for the model, the Mercedes-Benz Actros. The called Finame is responsible for about 90% of the domestic sales of extra-heavy, which have a fairly high price.
"Now we are able to compete equally with our competitors. Without the Finame, we can't fight, "said on Wednesday the President of Mercedes in Brazil, Philipp Schiemer. Currently, the players with the highest market share in extra heavy in the country are the Swedish Volvo and Scania (Volkswagen Group).
The Executive points out that this segment is the fastest growing in Brazil, having registered an increase of around 40 percent last year mainly because of the record harvest. For 2014, the automaker expects a similar result in this niche market.
"This year, the situation should be repeated and the extra-heavy segment should grow strongly", emphasizes Schiemer.
Mercedes recently announced a contribution program of $ 2.5 billion for the period between 2010 and 2015. About r $ 300 million have been used for the project of nationalization of the Actros.
"Each step of nationalisation involves the increased use of local components, such as engine and Mercedes axis," says the Senior Manager of production planning of trucks, Alexandre Nogueira.
The Executive explains that Mercedes has negotiated with the BNDES to achieve progressive financing of two models of the Actros (the most sold brand) according to the phases of nationalization of the vehicle. Until last year, the company had 20% local content, which was entitled to 60% of Finame.
From February this year, the fundable portion passes to 80% of the total (since the nationalization has reached 40%). The goal is to achieve 100% of Finame for 2015.
Schiemer stated still wait for 2014 total market sales around 150 thousand units, number registered in 2013. "We're optimistic for this year. If we hit the volume of last year, I consider it a good result, "says the President of the company.