In addition to manufacturing its coaches and buses through joint ventures, the auto giant is preparing to team up with its Chinese partners to locally produce Mercedes-Benz branded vans and trucks, including the Actros, Axor, Atego and Unimog series.

In line with its long-term commitment to the Chinese market, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will continue to provide the Chinese market with reliable, safe and technically advanced products, as well as optimized customer-tailored services, according to Rainer Schaefer, the General Manager of DaimlerChrysler (China) Ltd.

At the forthcoming Auto Shanghai 2005, to be held from April 22-28, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will launch its latest truck series - Atego and Axor.

Competition in China's heavy-duty truck market is stiff, but Schaefer is confident of the strength of his company in terms of technical advantages and maintenance services, as well as a sound sales network.

"Through years of preparation, from product introduction to dealership networks, from technology updates to after-sales services improvement, our solid business foundation in China has been established," said Schaefer.

The auto firm commanded 32 per cent of China's heavy-duty truck market last year, while it aims to expand its market share to 40 per cent within a few years.

So far, Mercedes-Benz Trucks has expanded its business from western and coastal areas to regions in Central China and along the transportation artery of Northeast China.

Mercedes-Benz truck centres were set up in Zhengzhou in central Henan Province and Harbin in Heilongjiang Province in January, taking its number of sales and service centres up to nine.

The Mercedes-Benz Actros series of heavy-duty trucks, was named "Truck of the Year 2004" in Europe, and "Most Popular Truck 2004," a prize sponsored by Commercial Vehicles, a leading Chinese car magazine.

"The most recent success for Mercedes-Benz Trucks is winning the bid for Xinjiang Guanghui's liquefied natural gas (LNG) transportation programme again this year," said Schaefer.

(China Daily April 11, 2005)