OK, so they're buses - at the moment - but this is yet another example of the emerging markets doing business with the emerging markets. News too that IKD is looking to establish a production plant in Turkey. What next, we wonder.

Here's another example of the emerging markets playing nicely together, seemingly to the exclusion of the mainstream truck OEMs. We've been blogging about this trend on an almost weekly basis, pointing out the growth in relationships between, for example, India and Russia, Iran and Russia, Iran and China and so on.

This time its Belarusian OEM MAZ - they of Azerbaijan ambitions - and Venezuela. So far, we're only talking about two consignments of 20 trucks apiece, and a third to follow. It looks like an assembly operation may not be too far away. Iran Khodro Diesel struck a similar deal for buses earlier this month.

But note these comments from first vice-premier of Belarus Vladimir Semashko, who points out that: "It is very important for us as Venezuela has joined the Latin American Customs Union. Goods are transported duty-free in this union. By setting up assembly productions in Venezuela, Belarus will be able to get into the market of South and Central America"

Here is an interesting tale from Dow Jones. Interesting, yes, but rather well trailed too.

VW is looking to other markets for its Latin American heavy truck product - the Constellation. It's been doing this for a while for South Africa, and now both China ad Russia are mentioned as likely targets.

What does this say about VW's hopes for the MAN-Scania merger? If VW had faith in the deal going through, then would it be pursuing this course? Unlikely, we feel.

Bit of a slap in the face for Volvo according to this press release.

It was going to supply 499 buses to Chile.

And now it isn't.

According to this report here.

According to this report here.

Remember Iveco's deal with Tata?