Brazil / Argentina - Marcopolo SA of Caxias do Sul, Brazil has taken a controlling shareholding in Metalsur Carrocerías S.R.L. (Metalsur), a manufacturer of coach bodies, located in Santa Fe, Argentina by increasing its shareholding in Metalsur, from 25%, which it acquired in 2012 to 70%. Marcopolo said for USD9.0m, it has acquired further shares in Metalsur Carrocerias S.R.L. and, through a corporate reorganization of the shares in Metalsur, it now owns 70% of the capital stock.

Founded in 1989 by engineer, Miguel Maestú, Metalsur has until now remained a family business, expanding to become a multi-national company specializing in the manufacture of long-haul single and double deck passenger coach bodies. It has extensive manufacturing facilities located in Villa Gobernador Gálvez, Santa Fe, Argentina, which extends to an area of 85,000 square meters. In 2017, it generated net revenues of USD43.3m producing 244 vehicles, but in 2018, as a result of the severe economic downturn in the country, output dwindled to 188 units and revenues fell to USD24.4m.