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German automaker Daimler factory plans to hire 950 workers for a truck plant in Brazil, where sales of heavy vehicles is rising amid strong growth in infrastructure projects.

The measure will help to increase 7% payroll Daimler plant in Sao Bernardo do Campo, according to data provided by a local steelworkers union.

The company, which produces trucks under the Mercedes Benz, confirmed the hiring.

The German automaker, which last year announced plans to spend $ 900 million to increase production at the plant until 2012, seeks to tap a boom in sales of trucks in Brazil.

The country is experiencing a sharp increase in the purchase of heavy equipment transport, driven by a government plan infrastructure investment of U.S. $ 1 billion.

Sales of trucks in Brazil rose 18% in the first five months of 2011, 68,155 units, according to information released by the local chapter of the automotive industry, Anfavea.

Sales of Mercedes Benz Daimler units climbed 8.5% in the period, slightly less than his rival Germanic Volkswagen.

Currently, Daimler employs 13,000 people at the plant in Sao Bernardo do Campo. The new staff will help implement a third shift at the production line, which now employs about 9,000 workers.

According to a union in the sector, Daimler has hired 1,900 workers since September 2009. The new charges are valid for one year, the group added.

Berlin – Volkswagen AG secured a majority stake in the German truck manufacturer MAN IS an important step to deepen an alliance that includes the Swedish company Scandia AB, the automaker said Monday.

Volkswagen said it has secured 53.7% stake in MAN titles, giving you 55.9% of voting rights.

The announcement comes nearly two months after VW say that it had increased its stake in MAN to more than 30%. That caused a mandatory takeover bid under German law.

Volkswagen is “more than pleased” with the result, said its CEO Martin Winterport said in a statement.

“We aim to achieve substantial synergies between MAN, Scandia and Volkswagen is coming …” he said. “We continue working quickly in close collaboration with the authorities for global regulatory approvals required.”

Last month, Volkswagen said that was “constructive talks” with the European Commission for permission to merge, it says are necessary to achieve savings.

But he said the Commission had said that VW’s top executives should not join MAN’s supervisory board until the permits were approved. He said Winterport and two other executives had withdrawn their nominations to the board.

Ferdinand Piece, head of VW’s supervisory board, said more than a year ago that he wanted the cooperation of MAN and Scandia, which Volkswagen had as its main shareholder.

In November, MAN said it was seeking closer cooperation with Scandia, which spoke of a possible combination of the two brands, but said the two should remain separate.

The Japanese automaker will open an assembly plant in Guanajuato in central Mexico. This in order to increase production by 140 thousand units by the end of 2013. These vehicles will be destined for markets in the U.S. and Latin America, the automaker said.

For this project, Mazda will invest $ 500 million. Part of this budget, also will be used to install a distribution plant in Brazil as part of an agreement with Sumitomo Corporation Company, which “combines individual strengths to enhance the business of both companies in the rapidly growing markets of Central and South America, “said Mazda.

The plant in Guanajuato, manufactured Demo models, known as the Mazda 2 and Axel, or Mazda 3. Currently, Mazda Latin America has a single factory in Colombia.

The company’s president, Takashi Yamanouchi, concluded that the project “part of the plans of the firm to achieve its objectives and long-term emerging markets.” The industry in Mexico produced 2.26 million vehicles last year, the first export to Latin America.

The automaker introduced the Chevy star GPS, a new device to “accompany” the drivers during their tours of Ecuador. To that end, the automaker arranged a tour of the capital of the republic, to the press to evaluate the performance of the fixture, which is now on sale at dealerships across the country.

Chevrolet the GPS is part of an exclusive service for users Chevy star, which allows you to request addresses across the country, through a call to the Call Center from the vehicle. Subsequently, the GPS satellite is programmed to suggest the shortest route to reach a given destination. This is possible thanks to Chevrolet Ecuador, has a team of people who update the information monthly to the national maps, to offer a tip. Currently, the maps are 71 cities with routes first and second order.

Since the interaction between the GPS and the driver is done using voice commands, you can avoid direct manipulation of the device. This decreases the margin of driver distraction and accidents can be avoided. However, the device also has a visual interface that provides relevant information to the crew. For example, travel distances, suggested speed limits and even notes the speed at which you move the vehicle.

Despite these features, the device is easy to use. It consists of a 4.3-inch touch screen that connects to the vehicle via Bluetooth. It can be programmed automatically from Chevy star Call Center, and manually by the user. It also integrates a long battery life, and being an accessory, can be stuck to the windshield using a suction cup.

The device is compatible with systems from 2010 onwards Chevy star, and their software can be updated via the Internet, said representatives of the automaker. The cost of this navigation tool over USD 200, while the map update can be done for $ 265.

South Korean automaker was able to overcome the mark of 5 million units sold on the Continent. The brand began its activities in the region in 1977, the automaker said, adding that the last half million cars were placed during the last three years.

On the other hand, the last 27 months, Hyundai has seen consecutive growth, exceeding sales trends in Europe, especially since March this year. The gradual growth of the brand was recorded in a record, indicating that the first million sold in 1996, the 2 million barriers were overcome in 2001, 2005, sold three million cars, and in 2008 exceeded the boundary of the 4 million.

Allan Rush forth, vice president and chief operating officer of Hyundai in Europe, said the new record is “a wonderful achievement for Hyundai.” “This is just the beginning of the brand. Our plans are to continue sales growth in 2011 to reach 3% market share in Europe, “concluded the manager of the brand.

Volvo is recalling almost 7,600 of its 2012 S60 sedans powered by 5-cylinder engines because of a possible stalling problem, the automaker told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Volvo attributed the problem to software incompatibility, where the software used to regulate the fuel pump on models equipped with 5-cylinder engines might not distribute sufficient fuel “to the active part of the fuel tank,” which could cause engine hesitation or stalling.

A 5-cylinder engine is only available on entry-level, front-wheel-drive S60 sedans. The all-wheel-drive T6 and R Design models have 6-cylinders.

The automaker said it learned of the problem early in May and had received 23 warranty claims for the condition, but was not aware of any accidents because of the problem.