Mercedes-Benz aims to raise Asian sales<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE (Reuter): Mercedes-Benz aims to substantially boost
\nsales of both commercial and passenger vehicles in Asia, Albrecht
\nBranding, managing director, commercial vehicles for Mercedes-
\nBenz Asia Pte Ltd, said yesterday.<\/p>\n
"Turnover from Asia (for both commercial and passenger
\nvehicles) in 1995 was 9.2 percent of our worldwide revenue of 72
\nbillion marks. And this is by far not enough," Branding told
\nReuters.<\/p>\n
"To be a major player we must sell 200,000 units (commercial
\nvehicles) in Asia a year," he said. The company currently sells
\nfewer than 10,000 commercial vehicles in the region.<\/p>\n
Mercedes-Benz, a unit of Daimler-Benz, aims to increase its
\nAsian sales of commercial vehicles to 10 percent from three
\npercent of the units sold worldwide.<\/p>\n
Branding said the company was studying various new projects
\nfor the region. "We are studying R&D activity in Asia, preferably
\nin Singapore."<\/p>\n
He said there were plans to locate more manufacturing
\noperations in Asia and the company needed to set up production
\nsites in countries such as China. He declined to elaborate.<\/p>\n
Mercedes-Benz now manufactures in South Korea and India, It
\nhas assembly operations in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and
\nPhilippines.<\/p>\n
In July, Mercedes-Benz will launch its MB100 light commercial
\nvehicle internationally. The MB100 is produced in South Korea
\nwith its joint venture partner Ssangyong Motor Co.<\/p>\n
"We aim to produce 20,000 units for export markets (outside
\nSouth Korea) in two years time," Branding said.<\/p>\n
This year, Mercedes-Benz will export 5,000 MB100s from South
\nKorea, half of them left-hand drive.<\/p>\n
Mercedes-Benz's joint venture in Vietnam is producing about
\n200 units this year, divided equally between commercial and
\npassenger vehicles for the Vietnam market.<\/p>\n
"We will double every year. The ultimate target we want is to
\nproduce 6,000-10,000 units a year," said Branding. He said this
\ncould be achieved in five to six years.<\/p>\n
Vietnam's car market is seen growing to 60,000 units a year,
\nwith the share of commercial vehicles at 40,000 by 2000. In 1996,
\ndemand would be 13,000-14,000 units, he said.<\/p>\n
Singapore's Economic Development Board and Sembawang Corp each
\nhave an 11 percent stake in the Vietnam joint venture.<\/p>\n
Autostar, part of Hong Kong's Peregrine Investments Holdings
\nand Indo-Vietnam, part of Indonesia's Salim Group hold 12.5
\npercent each. Vietnamese parties hold 30 percent while Daimler-
\nBenz has 53 percent, Branding said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mercedes-benz-aims-to-raise-asian-sales-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}