Alexandre Rocha
São Paulo -Daimler-Chrysler Brazil, owner of brand Mercedes-Benz, forecasts export of around 2,000 vehicles to the Middle East this year, including buses and trucks. If this is confirmed, revenues should total US$ 120 million, 20% of the company targeted US$ 600 million vehicle export revenue for 2004.
"We hope to sell a large volume to the region in 2004," stated the company export director, Pedro Knoepfelmacher, to ANBA.
Apart from bus and truck sales, the company forecasts further revenues of US$ 300 million with global motor and component export, raising foreign trade expectations to US$ 900 million.
"This year we are going to have a ball," added the executive. The Brazilian division in the German-American conglomerate currently sells to over 40 countries.
Last year, company revenue in Brazil was almost US$ 2 billion. Foreign trade revenue, in turn, totalled US$ 600 million, being US$ 350 million related to vehicle shipping.
Destinations
Among the probable destinations for Brazilian Mercedes Benz products in the Arab market are Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
The company is already operating strongly in the region. "We are very pleased, we have a great performance in the region," stated Knoepfelmacher.
Among the highlights in 2003, in the company evaluation, were sales to Egypt. Export rose from 165 units in 2002 to 696 in 2003. To the country in North Africa, vehicles are shipped in parts (CKD) and put together by Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles, which represents Mercedes Benz there.
Apart from Egypt, Mercedes has sold to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Company buses are also used for Muslim pilgrim transport to Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. Knoepfelmacher added that the company has "consistent" support from partners and dealers in the region.
At the end of 2003 the company forecasted sales of 1,283 units to the Middle East. To all destinations, in 2003, shipping totalled 9,525 vehicles, being 3,018 trucks and 6,507 buses.
Among the main markets for company products, apart from the Middle East, are Latin America, especially Argentina and Chile, and the United States, the latter for components.
Visit
On Friday (20) the secretary general of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (CCAB), Michel Alaby, visited the Mercedes factory in São Bernardo do Campo (SP), where he was met by Mr. Knoepfelmacher. At the occasion he gave the executive a plate with the saying: "CCAB: Over 50 years bringing Brazil closer to the Arab countries."
