Truck manufacturer PACCAR will build a new assembly plant on a 500-acre site in Ponta Grossa, Brazil, to produce its DAF Trucks’ medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Construction of the 330,000-square-foot plant would begin this year for completion in 2013.
Washington-based PACCAR designs and manufactures light-, medium-, and heavy-duty trucks, including the DAF, Kenworth, and Peterbilt brands. It also produces diesel engines.
“PACCAR is pleased to invest $200 million in its DAF facility in the dynamic and progressive state of Paraná,” stated chairman and CEO Mark Pigott. “Ponta Grossa has an excellent workforce and proximity to strategic supplier partners and the port of Paranaguá. We appreciate the outstanding support from the state of Paraná and the city of Ponta Grossa in partnering with PACCAR to bring this major economic investment to the area.”
The new plant will assemble the DAF LF, CF, and XF models, for sale to the Brazilian market. The country’s market for trucks over six tons is currently rated at 170,000 units annually, and is forecast to grow in the near future.
“Over time, as production levels increase, the facility is expected to hire up to five hundred employees. Additional employment opportunities, which will generate economic benefits to the region, will be created during the construction phase and as our suppliers expand their capacity in the area,” according to Bob Christensen, PACCAR executive vice president.
