Daimler and Finnish Commercial Vehicle Manufacturer Sisu Sign Memorandum of Understanding for Component Deliveries

​Delivery of Mercedes-Benz truck components to Oy Sisu Auto Ab. starting in 2011Implementation and scope to depend on feasibility study

Stuttgart – Daimler AG and the commercial vehicle manufacturer Oy Sisu Auto Ab. of Karjaa, Finland, have signed a memorandum of understanding covering the supply of Mercedes-Benz truck components to Sisu.

Subject to a positive result of a technical feasibility study, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will deliver components for 200 to 400 vehicles per year to Finland starting in early 2011. Sisu will supply frames, axles, and drive shafts for the trucks, which are intended for use in the forestry and construction sectors. Cabs, engines, and transmissions will be components from the Mercedes-Benz Actros. The heavy-duty trucks will be assembled by Sisu and sold in Finland under the Sisu brand. The feasibility study is expected to be concluded in the third quarter of 2010.

“We are delighted that Sisu has selected us as a supplier of high-quality components,” said Hubertus Troska, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks. “Sisu is a traditional brand known for first class trucks. Once the feasibility study has been successfully concluded, we will be able to open up a new area of business and generate additional sales potential for our vehicle components.”

The vehicles will be sold via the Veho Commercial Vehicles sales network in Finland. The Veho Group Oy Ab. has been importing Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and commercial vehicles since 1939 and also sells the Fuso Canter and Setra buses in Finland.

The market for medium- and heavy-duty trucks in Finland encompassed about 2,600 units in the crisis year of 2009 (approx. 3,500 trucks are sold in a normal year). There were around 390 new Mercedes Benz trucks delivered, giving the brand a market share of 15%. Following the conclusion of the feasibility study, the future delivery of all key components to the independent truck manufacturer Sisu will particularly benefit the VEHO Group Oy’s workshop network, as VEHO Group Oy also maintains and repairs SISU vehicles in its role as general representative for Mercedes Benz commercial vehicles. In addition, it is expected that Mercedes-Benz’s share of this Scandinavian truck market would increase.

About Sisu

Sisu Auto is a Finnish manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks and was founded in 1931. The primary market for Sisu’s powerful heavy-duty vehicles is Finland. Sisu trucks have been designed especially with the demanding Nordic conditions in mind. Sisu is pioneer and market leader in the four- and five-axle truck segments.

About Veho

Veho Group is the leading automotive company in Finland operating also in the Baltic countries and in Sweden. Veho was established in 1939 for the distribution of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Today, Veho cooperates with several manufacturers and its business comprises distribution, retail sales and after-sales services for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Revenues in 2009: approx. €800 million. Employees in 2009: 1,942

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