Daimler: no plans to manufacture trucks in India

A DaimlerChrysler spokesman said there were no plans for the company to manufacture trucks in India after a newspaper reported it would begin assembling trucks in the country in early 2008.

The Mint reported that DaimlerChrysler, which now imports Actros trucks, would begin assembling some models from imported kits next year, citing people familiar with the plans.

A company spokesman denied the report.

"There are no plans to manufacture trucks yet," he said when contacted by Reuters.

"We import Actros trucks and nothing has been decided on manufacturing them in India."

Some news reports have indicated DaimlerChrysler was looking to widen ties with Indian bus and truck makers. DaimlerChrysler owns 6.8 percent in India's top bus and truck maker, Tata Motors, and 3.6 percent in Eicher Motors.

DaimlerChrysler makes its luxury Mercedes-Benz cars in India and is building a plant near the western city of Pune with an annual capacity of 5,000 cars. Production will start in 2009.

The company sold 2,121 units in India in 2006, an increase of 11 percent from the earlier year. It makes the Mercedes S-Class, E-Class and C-Class cars in India and imports other models.