Orders for the Scania New Generation Truck, launched last November, already total 8,000 units, Scania Brasil Ltda announced last month with sales growth expectations of up to 20% this year against 2018.

Iveco Brasil Ltda has reinforced its medium-duty Tector truck range with two new models - the 9.190 and the 11.190 - in the nine- and 11-tons gross vehicle weight segments.

Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle Co Ltd (a 50:50 joint venture between the Dongfeng Motor Group and Volvo Group) is to intensify sales and marketing activities of Dongfeng Trucks in Chile.

The Peruvian market for heavy commercial vehicles from 6 ton and above closed 2018 with the sales of 17,392 vehicles, an increase of 4% compared with 16,613 units in 2017, according to the Automotive Association of Peru.

Trailer and truck body builder, Librelato S.A, last month announced orders for 202 vehicles for delivery this year; 180 units from Fontanella Transport and 22 from Transportadora Peregrina.

A legislation Bill, currently going through parliament, is set to stimulate the renewal and recycling of Brazil’s truck fleet.

After a spectacular year in 2018, which saw sales expand by almost 80%, Volvo América Latina Group announced in February plans to expand operations in Brazil during 2019 and started with the hire of 300 new employees to increase production at the Curitiba plant.

Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus Ltda, a subsidiary of the Traton Group, in March launched on the Mexican market, its latest six ton gvw model, the VW Delivery 6.160.

Prior to the Ford announcement that it was pulling out of production and sales in South America, Ford Brasil Ltda delivered to waste management group, Marquise Ambiental Ltda, a prototype of a new Cargo Kolector 8x2 truck model with a 24 cubic metre compaction body; a first in the refuse segment with this large capacity.

Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus Ltda has launched a new 4x4 truck model, the VW Constellation 15.190 4x4, on the Brazilian market.

Scania Argentina in March announced the arrival of Scania’s New Generation truck range in the country.

Mercedes-Benz do Brasil has announced it has completed a BRA100m renovation of its cab assembly line in São Bernardo do Campo with expectations in efficiency gains of up to 15% and gains in terms of its logistical operations of some 20%.