weekly_edition_823

5 4.2 to 4.7.2018 same pace by the distribution network and, more seriously, represent a greater demand than the capacity of the supply chain can meet with the structure that many auto parts companies created. On Tuesday, 3, Fenabrave addressed the issue and expressed concern about a possible lack of trucks, especially heavy trucks, available for sale. The segment, by the way, is one of the fastest growing in terms of sales volumes: in the quarter growth of 89.8% in the plates, reaching a volume of 6 thousand 401 units. The concern is shared by manufacturers to a greater or lesser extent. For MAN Latin America there is in fact the fear of the mismatch of production with supply. For Ricardo Alouche, its sales director, there is a number of initiatives that the company leads in order to detect and help its suppliers meet their demands: “There is fear, a discomfort. The market from 2011 to 2016 decreased more than 70%, of course the chain had to adjust. We started a work in the fourth trimester that will last until the end of the first half with suppliers. We still have production bottlenecks, but there is no missing piece. There are occasional difficulties with either supplier”. About the difficulties Alouche noted that “when demand increases rapidly the supplier which comes back from the crisis needs to hire and buy material, and he behaves cautiously because there is a risk that demand will fall again. To minimize the process we call meetings and share market views. Last year we only worked with 60% of a single shift. Today the situation has improved: five days a week with overtime and one shift. This shows a solid scenario”. Mercedes-Benz, which closed the trimester as the company that sold the biggest number os heavy vehicles - 1,937 units, up 87% - was more cautious on the issue. According to Roberto Leoncini, its sales vice president, it is still too early to make this projection: “We have to wait for a more sustainable evolution of the market. Mercedes-Benz is regularly servicing its customers’ requests in the face of this recovery scenario. We are prepared to meet larger volumes in the future”. In the case of Volvo, the second company that sold the most heavy trucks in the quarter, 1 thousand 612 units, up 78.5%, the company had to expand its capacity in February to meet growing demand and try to shorten the delivery their trucks. According to his press office, delivery times vary from 60 days to 120 days, depending on the model. He said in a statement: “In the case of Volvo FH, the most sought after heavy model, that deadline can reach 120 days”.