The eO500U chassis has been developed entirely by Mercedes-Benz do Brasil in Campinas, Brazil, where Daimler Truck's World Competence Center is located for the development of bus chassis.

Since its market introduction in 2003, 89,515 units have been registered, of which 85,461 are light trucks and 4,054 are medium trucks, which means an average of 4,475 units per year.

The O 500 RSD 2448 478hp 6x2 and O 500 RS 1945 448hp 4x2 chassis conform to Euro V emissions standard, which is the prevailing standard or better in most Latin America countries outside of Brazil.

June saw the start of series production of Mercedes-Benz eO500U electric bus chassis on the modern Bus Chassis Production Line at the Mercedes-Benz do Brasil plant in São Bernardo do Campo (SP).

The new Eletra e-bus is a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Caio.

With 1,682 electric buses on order, SP Trans says more orders are expected as some transport operating companies have not yet submitted their new purchase requests.

Petrobras says the Diesel R5 (95% diesel : 5% biodiesel) fuel bus trials have proven to be successful and under the BioRefino Program is investing some USD600m to 2026 to ramp up capacity to provide this fuel to the market in Brazil.

All vehicles will have engines with Mercedes-Benz’s proven BlueTec 6 technology, which incorporates a more robust gas after-treatment system, and which reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 80% and particulate matter emissions by 50%.

Added customisation services is part of the Mercedes-Benz do Brazil's on going CapEx investment package during Covid.

Mercedes-Benz do Brasil is introducing a full series of new Proconve 8 compliant bus and coach chassis in compliance with new emissions deadline of January 2023 in Brazil.

Mercedes-Benz do Brasil Ltda is to supply Volare, a Marcopolo SA mini and small bus brand, with the first 60, Proconve 8 (Euro 6) compliant chassis (LO 916 Euro 6 model) to its vehicles; Proconve 8, is scheduled for introduction in all new and existing commercial vehicles in Brazil from January 1, 2023.

Sales of front engine bus chassis (OF 1726 and OF 1730 chassis) to South Africa from Brazil has been increasing substantially this year, says Mercedes-Benz do Brasil Ltda.