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7 to Marco Saltini, vice president of Anfavea, manufacturers are being successful in balancing the commercial flow so as to maintain production in a level above or similar to that of 2018: “There was a reversal in sales flow, and the manufacturers are currently focusing on the internal market. The heavy trucks are leading production, and as the year goes by the middle segment should play a key role in the lines”. According to data published by Anfavea Thursday 4, production performance for the quarter was negative in all segments but one, that of the heavy trucks. In the January-March period, production in this segment attained 13 thousand 67 units, for an increase of 20% over last year’s first quarter. In the semi-heavy segment, in turn, production was 5 thousand 693 units, a reduction of 17.8%. The medium trucks, 1 thousand 117 units, a decrease of 20.6%. Light trucks, 4 thousand 637 units, a decline of 3%. Semi-light ones, 247 or 43.6% fewer than the same period last year. Market – Mercedes-Benz maintains leadership in the truck market, capping the quarter with total sales of 6 thousand 646 units. The company was a leader in the heavy segment, with 3 thousand 438 units licensed, which represents a growth rate of 77.5% compared to the first quarter of last year. It also leads in the semi-heavy, light and semi-light segments. In the medium segment, the leader in this quarter was Volkswagen, with 1 thousand 158 licenses issued, or 60% over last year. Sales for this company were the only to exceed the one thousand units mark among all manufacturers. According to Saltini, who besides sitting at Anfavea board is also the director for institutional relations for VWCO, the growth in the segment occurred as a function of sales of the 11-ton Delivery model. Total truck sales in the country, for the quarter, were equal to 21 thousand 464 units, which means a growth rate of 47.7% over the corresponding volume in the same period of last year. Saltini also stated that the tendency for the next couple of months is that of growth compared to 2018, although smaller than originally estimated: “The tendency for the year, something we have already experienced in the first quarter, is for a decrease in growth of sales as the year goes on. In the first quarter of last year, the volume licensed meant a substantial growth in comparison to 2017. The basis, of course, was low. This year, however, we started at a stronger pace, so that in May or June the difference between what was sold this year as compared to last year will be smaller”.

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