According to foreign media reports, two sources disclosed that the German automaker Daimler Group plans to transform its truck factory in a joint venture in China to produce Mercedes-Benz heavy-duty trucks in China.
The plan will further deepen Daimler's alliance with its Chinese truck partner, Beiqi Fukuda. Just last month, Beiqi Futian parent company Beiqi Group just acquired a 5% stake in Daimler. "The domestic plan for Mercedes-Benz brand trucks has been brewing for several years, so it has nothing to do with the recent acquisition of Daimler shares by Beiqi Group," a source said.
As early as 2016, then head of truck business, told German media that it planned to produce Mercedes-Benz's Actros heavy truck in China by 2020. But since then, no details of the plan have been reported or announced.
According to the new plan, Beijing Futian Daimler Automobile Co., Ltd. will increase the production of Actros heavy trucks on its production line, which currently mainly produces Auman trucks and is the only truck brand of the joint venture. Fukuda Daimler plans to renovate its No. 3 plant, which will produce 60,000 heavy trucks per year, as well as Actros and Auman heavy trucks, and expand the capacity of its No. 2 plant from 60,000 to 100,000. The amount of the investment is not yet clear.
(Photo Source: Daimler's website)
