Mercedes-Benz Trucks is currently selling more premium trucks in China than ever before. Following last year’s sales of roughly 1,700 trucks in China, sales of Mercedes-Benz trucks here in 2010 are expected to total more than 2,800 units.
Hubertus Troska, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, is delighted with the business situation in China: “We have been experiencing an upward trend in this country for many years. This year we will set a new sales record in China. This shows us that our premium trucks and the related range of services are also popular among Chinese customers.”
The latest order placed by a Chinese customer is from the China Railway Logistics Group and calls for delivery of over 50 Mercedes-Benz Actros heavy-duty trucks. This is the largest single order for semitrailer tractors Mercedes-Benz Trucks has filled in China in many years, and the customer plans to order 20 additional vehicles. In August the first 13 trucks from this order were delivered to Mercedes-Benz dealers in China. The remainder of the trucks are to follow in the coming months.
The handing over of the first vehicles was marked by a festive ceremony at the headquarters of the China Railway Logistics Group (CRL) in Beijing. Representatives of Daimler North East Asia and CRL attended the event. Dr. Gerrit Marx, who is responsible for Daimler Trucks in China, emphasized that this order includes a complete package of services: “With this order we are providing our customers not only with a first-class truck, but also a custom-tailored financing solution and further services.”
In addition to the current order by China Railway Logistics Group, in the year to date Mercedes-Benz has also received orders for large numbers of trucks for special applications in the construction industry and for firefighting. Mercedes-Benz Trucks is filling a niche segment in China with these trucks. Trucks from Mercedes-Benz are needed in China primarily for heavy construction applications. “‘Trucks you can trust’ is also an important criterion in China. The Chinese customers have recognized the added value they get with our high-quality, reliable vehicles,” says Hubertus Troska.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ biggest customer in China so far in 2010 is the Chinese construction machinery company Zoomlion, which has ordered 1,200 vehicles to date. In addition, 300 vehicles have been delivered to body manufacturers specializing in firefighting applications, and about 450 semitrailer tractors and 80 Mercedes-Benz Unimog.
For Daimler Trucks the positive sales situation in China is another step forward in the expansion of its market presence in the country. At a contract-signing event in July attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Daimler Trucks signed an agreement for a joint venture with the Chinese truck manufacturer Foton Motor. The joint venture will produce medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks of the Auman brand that feature Daimler engine technology.
