Next-gen, locally-built C-Class: President Cyril Ramaphosa applauds nearly R10-billion investment by Mercedes-Benz SA

Mercedes-Benz South Africa has invested €600-million at its East London factory. The investment was announced during a visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa

Markus Schäfer, Member of the Divisional Board of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain, said: "With the investment of €600-million we are significantly expanding our plant in East London and equipping it for the future. The decision to have the new generation of the C-Class built in East London re-affirms the plant and Mercedes-Benz South Africa.

"The investment is also a sign of our commitment to South Africa and efforts to revive economic growth as well as the socio-economic development of the East London region."

'Ambitious target of raising R1.2 trillion'

Ramaphosa said: "A central priority for government this year has been to encourage significant new investment in our economy, necessary to realise economic growth, employment and reduce inequality. 

"The announcement by Mercedes-Benz Cars to inject R10-billion in the South African economy signals to the positive momentum we are making to realise the ambitious target of raising R1.2 trillion in new investment. This investment by Mercedes-Benz Cars endorses South Africa as a favourable destination for investment; and correspondingly, demonstrates our determination to work with all social partners to seize the opportunities that are opening up for greater investment and faster growth."

Next-generation C-Class

Mercedes-Benz Cars will also produce the next generation of the C-Class in East London.

                                                                       Image: Net Car Show

The autoamker said: "This includes the construction of a new paint shop and a new body shop, an upgrade of the assembly shop and new logistic warehouses.

                                                                           Image: Net Car Show

Overall the new buildings comprise an area of approximately 100 000 sqm, this reflects an addition of two thirds of the already existing buildings for the passenger vehicle production.

"The new workshops will incorporate environmental friendly and state of the art technologies."

Expansion for East London factory

The investment of €600-million will be used for a wide expansion of the factory. Many different parts of the plant are affected by the expansion, both Green- and Brownfield. The new body shop is designed for higher capacities and features more than 500 "Internet of Things"- ready robots laying the foundation for Industry 4.0 readiness. "700 tons of steel will be installed for the addition of three lines in the assembly shop, this expansion will take place in the current building," says Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz models for SA:

1) Mercedes-AMG GLC 63

Launched May22  

2) Mercedes-Benz C-Class 
Launch: Early Q3 

3) Mercedes-Benz A-Class (A200 & A250) 
Launch: Q3 

Launch: Q3

5) Mercedes-Benz CLS
Launch: Q4

6) Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Launch Q4

7) Mercedes-Benz X-Class V6
Launch Q4