A new truck production line was officially opened on Thursday (15 April) at the MAN Latin America plant in Resende, Brazil.

The new assembly line has capacity of 5,000 heavy trucks per year. In the next few months test vehicles will be producd to start with so that the first vehicles ordered can be delivered in 2011 to three of Brazil’s largest transport operators: Julio Simoes, Arcom and Binotto. In the first phase the trucks will be assembled from SKD (semi-knocked-down) kits imported from Germany but the medium term aim is to raise local content to at least 60%.

MAN is introducing its TGX and TGS lines to Brazi through the VW dealer network run by MAN Latin America.

By 2011 a supplier park will be built close to the Resende plant. Three suppliers – ArvinMeritor (axles), Maxion (chassis assembly) and Suspensys (suspension systems) – will have their own facilities next to the plant.

Investment in the production line and supplier park was about BRL235m about EUR100m) and 800 new jobs will be created at Resende, 100 on the truck line.

“Like our partnerships in China and India, MAN Latin America is of fundamental importance for our continued growth in the BRIC markets,” a spokesman said.

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Last month a third shift was introduced at Resende plant to meet the strong demand for commercial vehicles in Brazil, taking capacity to 72,000 truck and bus chassis a year.

“We are optimistic about the economic development in Brazil and believe there will be further growth in 2010. This is one item of proof that our country has overcome the effects of the global economic crisis,” said MAN Latin America CEO Roberto Cortes.

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