Daimler to Start Producing Fuso Trucks in Thailand in 2018

www.chinatrucks.com: Daimler will soon begin making commercial trucks in Thailand at a new plant, the German automaker said Thursday, aiming to take on current leaders in the booming market for these vehicles.

As soon as the beginning of next year, the automaker will begin turning out vehicles at an assembly plant near Laem Chabang, home to Thailand's largest port. The facility will have an annual production capacity of 3,000 units. Daimler Commercial Vehicles (Thailand), a new wholly owned subsidiary, will make and sell the trucks under the Fuso brand, the overseas face of Daimler subsidiary Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus. This follows the end of a contract manufacturing arrangement for trucks in Thailand.

Daimler aims to sell 1,000 of the trucks in 2018 -- roughly as many as in 2015. The Thai market for commercial trucks of the sort the automaker will produce is around 30,000 vehicles per year. Japanese makers such as Isuzu Motors and Hino Motorsaccount for much of that business.

Calling 2017 a year for investment, Sascha Ricanek, CEO of the new unit, said the company would make up for lost time in its 10-year plan.

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