Manitowoc Crane Group has formed a joint venture with the shareholders of TaiAn Dongyue Heavy Machinery for the production of truck-mounted hydraulic cranes. TaiAn Dongyue was founded in 1972 and has a 57,000 square meter purpose-built facility. The facility is located in a modern industrial park with over 900 employees, experienced in the manufacture and assembly of hydraulic truck mounted cranes for the Chinese market. 

John Deere to expand its business in China Deere & Co. (USA) will expand its presence in China through a joint venture with Xuzhou Xuwa Excavator Machinery Co., Ltd. (XCG), a subsidiary of Xuzhou Bohui Science and Technology Development CO. Ltd. (Bohui). 

Volvo Sales and Income VOLVO Buses reports higher sales in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared with the same period in 2006. But operating income has fallen, in part because of fluctuations in currency exchange rates. During 2007, the city bus market remained steady and demand for hybrids rose, with Nova Bus securing new orders. 

Bobcat Opens New Plant for Europe Bobcat (USA) has opened the company`s first newly-built manufacturing plant outside the USA at Dobris, about 35 km southwest of Prague, to serve markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Covering an area of more than 20 000 m?, the new plant is used for the fabrication, welding, painting and assembly of Bobcat small and mid-size compact loaders, mini-excavators up to 2 tonne in operating weight and a variety of attachments. 

Daimler Trucks Light Commercial Vehicle Group Daimler Trucks North America announced that it has established a new Light Commercial Vehicle group, combining the resources of Sterling Truck Corp.’s Class 3 through Class 5 lines and Mitsubishi Fuso brand low cab-over engine (LCOE) operations in North America. This operation will be based in Redford, Mich. and will focus on the sales, marketing, product strategy and distribution of the Sterling 360, the Sterling Bullet and Mitsubishi Fuso Class 3 through Class 7 LCOE trucks.