Daimler will make a decision on whether to build a Mercedes plant in Brazil this year, chief executive Dieter Zetsche said at the Frankfurt show.

“It’s difficult to grow in Brazil just on imports alone. We will take a decision within this year, with a positive outcome being likely,” he told Reuters.

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The plant would be able to produce tens of thousands of Mercedes cars each year and could come on stream within three years, he added.

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