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19 AutoData | March 2018 “The truck factories shortened collective, which had not been seen for some time” Luis Marques, Meritor “January gave scope for the projection of 2018 to seem conservative” Gisela Pinheiro, Basf as part of the investment cycle started in 2016.” Gisela Pinheiro, Basf’s Vice President of Materials and Functional Solutions for South America, reveals that the company also works in line with Anfavea’s expecta- tions. “But January gave us enough room to question this number, which seemed conservative based on the result.” In any case, she understands that pro- jections of around 20% to 25% in 2018 are “very aggressive”, but ensures that Basf is prepared if necessary - the company’s operations run in three shifts in some are- as since the end of last year. The executive believes that for the chain, the quickest and easiest way to meet growth beyond expectations is to in- crease the pace of work. “There is still idle capacity. In addition to that hiring would do well to the economy itself, since the unemployment rate is one of the only ones that have not yet reacted with gre- ater intensity”. HEAVY WORK About commercial vehicles the sce- nery is even more impressive. After a violent retraction the reaction seems to come with the same intensity: in the first two months sales of trucks and buses grew 58% compared to the same period of 2017, according to Fenabrave. Luis Marques, Meritor’s marketing and aftermarket manager for South America, adds that for the systemists in the seg- ment the crisis scenario was even more devastating than for the automakers, “because when everything began to fall they still had stock of parts available”. Because of that this is precisely the op- posite: “Our growth rhythm at this moment is better than the factories’ themselves, because not only do we have to replenish this stock but also account for exports”. That is why Meritor grew 30% in pro- duction volume in 2017 and projects to surpass 20% in 2018. He reminds that the basis for compa- rison is still extremely low, and estimates that the truck market this year, even with this strong statistical increase, will be clo- se to half that achieved in 2011, the golden age. This, by its accounts, would represent a 20% increase in the production of the industry compared to 2017. Signs of the times, several automakers of the segment even shortened a period of collective vacations at the end of last year, “something that was not seen much” - and that Meritor monitored. The company operates in two shifts but only in some areas, which gives it some scope to make even stronger the production if necessary. Third shift, for now, not even think about it. Marques endorses the understanding that also in this area “the chain is weak. The resumption brings challenges not only for us, but for the whole industry. “ Speaking of industry as a whole, Sin- dipeças, the largest representative of the segment, was contacted by AutoData to expose their impressions on this delicate and important issue. But, until the closing of this edition, did not return the request of interview with the president of the as- sociation, Dan Ioschpe. Disclousure/Meritor Disclousure/Basf