It is reported that Mercedes-Benz Trucks Vostok a joint venture between German and Russian car producers Daimler AG and KAMAZ has assembled its first Mercedes-Benz Actros 1841 LS truck at its plant in Naberezhnye Chelny.

Mr Boris Billich Mercedes-Benz Trucks Vostok chief executive officer said "This is the first time Mercedes-Benz vehicles have been produced in Russia. It shows how much we are interested in boosting our share of the Russian market."

Mercedes-Benz Trucks Vostok was established in early 2010 as a general importer of Mercedes-Benz trucks to Russia. Daimler and KAMAZ each own 50% of the joint venture and have each contributed EUR 5.9 million to its capital.

Mercedes-Benz Actros and Axor heavy-duty trucks are assembled in Naberezhnye Chelny on the Volga where KAMAZ manufactures its trucks. The plant annual capacity amounts to 4,500 vehicles.

Mr Hubertus Troska head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks said "As the market leader in Russia, our partner KAMAZ has extensive expertise and a wide-ranging sales network that will provide us with optimal conditions for successfully expanding into a market that promises to grow rapidly once the global crisis is over."

Besides Actros and Axors, the plant will produce Mercedes-Benz Ategos and specialized Zetros and Unimog trucks, when demand is strong enough. It also plans to launch the production of restyled Axor and Atego trucks as early as 2011.

(Sourced from RIA Novosti)