While the truck manufacturing industry battens down the hatches ready for a rough ride in 2009, Daimler is confident that the Mercedes-Benz brand is well placed to survive the downturn.
Despite reports that the group's luxury car division is facing the possibility of severe job cuts and working time reductions, Dr Joerg Zürn, chief of truck engineering, claims the truck side is able to weather a 30% fluctuation in demand with no layoff of permanent staff.
The expected major decline
in truck sales in Europe and North America caused by the current financial situation will be countered by a sharp rise in demand from the so-called BRIC markets - Brazil (pictured), Russia, India and China.
Daimler's North American operation is facing a restructuring that will see production of some Western Star and Freightliner models moving to Mexico and the Sterling brand being killed off completely.
However Zürn sees the downturn as a temporary blip before recovery in 2010, saying: "Trucks will remain the backbone of the global economy".
Reed Business Information Limited.©2009
