Mercedes-Benz Trucks y Buses Ltda is investing in warehousing and manufacturing in Argentina.

According to data from SIOMMA, there were 14,732 CV units sold compared with 14,165 the previous year.

These buses, equipped with the 17-210 chassis and FPT N60 CNG engines, were produced at Iveco's plant in Córdoba, with bodies supplied by Italbus.

The new parts warehouse is part of a USD100m investment plan in Argentina for the construction of a new factory in Zárate, Buenos Aires province.

Its sales projection for the first year of operation is to export over 100 units and in five years to time exceed 750 units annually.

Truck and bus registrations above 6 tons gvw in Argentina from January to end of September totaled 10,512 heavy commercial vehicles, a 5.7% decrease compared with 11,148 units registered in the same period of 2023.

The bus was commissioned by the country’s largest bus operator, Dota S.A. This electric bus is part of the city's broader plan to reduce carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

The Argentine commercial vehicle market experienced significant decline in the first half of 2024, with sales reaching 5,639 units, a 22.9% drop compared with 7,318 units sold from January to June last year.

From January to May 2024, a total of 4,665 commercial vehicles were sold in Argentina. This figure represents a 22.9% decrease compared with the 6,052 units sold in the corresponding period of 2023.

Almost one year on from pilot production, May 2024 saw VWCO in collaboration with Volkswagen Argentina start series production of four truck models and a bus chassis in Argentina.

Agrale stated that this new chassis took many months of development work by its engineering team in Brazil to design a product that would meet not only the needs of customers in Argentina and other South American markets, but also to meet international standards export beyond the continent.

The factory produces ICE powertrains for both off-road and on-road vehicles, including the Cursor 9, 10, 11 and 13 heavy-duty engines primarily for the South American market.