BERLIN Reuters -- Daimler Truck has started producing Mercedes-Benz branded trucks in China, with the first vehicles rolling off production lines at its joint plant with China's Foton Motor Co in Beijing on Friday, the truck and bus maker said.
In 2021, China is the world's biggest market for heavy trucks, with around 1.5 million units sold - more than in the U.S. and Europe combined, according to German car association VDA.
Local companies like FAW's Jiefang, Dongfeng Motor and Sinotruk are largely dominating the market, which offers more price-competitive products.
Daimler Truck has so far only produced the joint venture's brand, Auman, in China, while selling Mercedes-Benz trucks imported from Germany at a higher price.
A company representative wouldn't reveal production targets. A document seen in 2020 by Reuters on plans for the reorganization of the joint plant to begin heavy truck production said the target was to produce 50,000 Actros trucks a year.