VIETNAM

Daimler-Benz Aims at Vietnam Market: The German conglomerate plans to open a car assembly plant in Ho Chi Minh City in a joint venture with Saigon Mechanical Corp. and the May First Automobile Factory. Daimler, builder of the Mercedes-Benz, expects the government to approve its plans by late January, Chairman Edzard Reuter said. Reuter said $97 million to $129 million will be invested the plant. The plant will assemble 200 cars from imported parts in its first year, but Daimler hopes to expand production to 11,000 vehicles annually within 10 years.