PONTA GROSSA, BRAZIL-Paccar, a Bellevue, WA-based truck manufacturer, recently announced plans to build a $200 million production plant here to serve the country’s growing needs. Construction of the 330,000-square-foot assembly facility will be completed by 2013.

The company designs, manufactures and supports light, medium and heavy-duty trucks under the DAF, Kenworth and Peterbilt nameplates, as well as other truck and engine related business activities. The new facility will be designed to assemble the DAF trucks to meet current and future requirements of the Brazil transport industry.

Bob Christensen, EVP of the company said in a statement that the Brazilian market of trucks weighing more than six tons is 170,000 units, and is expected to grow. “Over time, as production levels increase, the facility is expected to hire up to five hundred employees,” he said. “Additional employment opportunities, which will generate economic benefits to the region, will be created during the construction phase and as our suppliers expand their capacity in the area.”