Daimler sells Mercedes buses to SA for World Cup

German auto giant Daimler said Tuesday it has won a contract to deliver 460 long-distance Mercedes-Benz buses to South Africa starting in April for use in the 2010 football World Cup.

Daimler signed a contract with Autopax, a subsidiary of the South African national railway PRASA, a statement said without providing financial details.

Parts of the buses are to be manufactured in Brazil, with final assembly in a South African factory located in East London, where Daimler has invested one million euros (1.46 million dollars) to boost capacity.

In August, Daimler won a contract for 125 Mercedes-Benz shuttle busses to be used in providing access to a high-speed train line being built for the World Cup.

The world's most watched sporting even takes place in South Africa in June and July.