From the Newsroom
São Paulo – Marcopolo, one of the main bus chassis makers in the world, ended 2003 with net consolidated revenues of US$ 439.6 billion, 3% greater than the result forecasted by the company (about 426.6 million), but 13% lower than the performance in 2002 (around 505 million). The Middle East remains one of the main importers of company products.
Total chassis production reached 14,362, of which 4.400 were exported and around 10.000 were traded on the domestic market. In total, 3,028 highway models, 4,775 urban, 1,776 small bus and 3,512 minibus models were sold, apart from 1,271 units produced in company plants abroad. The small bus sector was the one that showed greatest growth, around 30%.
Foreign trade totalled US$ 217 million and represented 49,4% of net consolidated revenue. According to Carlos Zignani, investor relation director, the low dollar last year in comparison to 2002 played an important part in the company performance. "No matter, we kept an expressive participation in the international market," clarifies Zignani.
For 2004, the perspective is for slight growth, with revenues of US$ 495 million and production of 15.500 bus, small bus, and mini bus chassis in all company production plants, in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Portugal, and South Africa.
The main markets should still be Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, as well as Brazil, where the company is the leader, with around 47% of the market share.
