Daimler Expanding Truck, Bus Output In Brazil

Mercedes-Benz unit will increase production of trucks, buses and their components at a plant in Brazil, investing $894 million in the facility.

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- Daimler AG says its Mercedes-Benz unit will increase production of trucks, buses and their components at a plant in Brazil, investing $894 million in the facility.

Daimler said Tuesday the investment in the Sao Bernardo do Campo plant -- to be made between 2009 and 2011 -- would result in a 25 percent increase in daily capacity, as well as a modernization of production and an improvement in logistics systems.

The company said that it expects jobs to be created in the expansion but did not specify how many. The facility employs 12,000 people.

Daimler said Sao Bernardo do Campo is running near full capacity -- meaning that further sales growth could be achieved only by eliminating production bottlenecks or expanding manufacturing operations.

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