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79 AutoData | October 2018 “Some renovation has already occurred in segments that were less affected by the crisis, such as beverages and agribusiness. We believe that this business wave will also come from other areas, to the point of making the domestic market reach a level of 85 thousand units.” Pimentel affirms that the demand return in these sectors has begun to show signs since July, which made the company calculate total production, this year, 5% higher than last year, something around 9,3 thousand trucks. For the coming year the expectation is to increase the production volume: “For 2019, we project to produce 12 thousand vehicles only to serve the Brazilian market”. There is expectation for a decrease in foreign sales due to the economic scenario lived in Brazil’s second largest market in South America, Argentina: “Exports to Argentina will be smaller, we will stop sending approximately 1 thousand units. This loss, however, will be compensated by shipments to other markets such as Chile and Peru, not mentioning the increase expected for Brazil itself”. Despite the downturn Pimentel awaits good expectations for the Closing 2018 Production company 9,3 thousand Closing 2019 Production company 12 thousand Total market 85 thousand We believe that new business waves can take the Brazilian domestic market to the level of 85 thousand units.” João Pimentel Argentine market, including competition for the leadership in the segment of trucks above 3.5 tons thanks to recent launches: “The exchange and flex allowed us to sell, in Argentina, vehicles that were once exclusive to the Brazilian market. So we diversified the offer there, which in turn enabled us to act on more business fronts”.