US-German auto giant DaimlerChrysler has announced that the company will build trucks and commercial vans in China in the near future.

Eckhard Cordes, president of the trucks division of the auto group, says his company plans to invest 200 million Euros, or 240 million dollars, in this utility vehicle project and start production next year.

DaimlerChrysler's Chinese partner is Beiqi Foton and the commercial vans will include the Vito, Viano and Sprinter models.

DaimlerChrysler has previously suffered several setbacks in South Korea and Japan and is determined to boost its business in China.

(CRI.com September 13, 2004)