It is reported that Mercedes-Benz Trucks Vostok a joint venture between German and Russian car producers Daimler AG and KAMAZ has assembled its first Mercedes-Benz Actros 1841 LS truck at its plant in Naberezhnye Chelny.
Mr Boris Billich Mercedes-Benz Trucks Vostok chief executive officer said "This is the first time Mercedes-Benz vehicles have been produced in Russia. It shows how much we are interested in boosting our share of the Russian market."
Mercedes-Benz Trucks Vostok was established in early 2010 as a general importer of Mercedes-Benz trucks to Russia. Daimler and KAMAZ each own 50% of the joint venture and have each contributed EUR 5.9 million to its capital.
Mercedes-Benz Actros and Axor heavy-duty trucks are assembled in Naberezhnye Chelny on the Volga where KAMAZ manufactures its trucks. The plant annual capacity amounts to 4,500 vehicles.
Mr Hubertus Troska head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks said "As the market leader in Russia, our partner KAMAZ has extensive expertise and a wide-ranging sales network that will provide us with optimal conditions for successfully expanding into a market that promises to grow rapidly once the global crisis is over."
Besides Actros and Axors, the plant will produce Mercedes-Benz Ategos and specialized Zetros and Unimog trucks, when demand is strong enough. It also plans to launch the production of restyled Axor and Atego trucks as early as 2011.
