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Mercedes-Benz South Africa
Manufacturing plant
Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s manufacturing plant in East London in the Eastern Cape, occupies a top position among Daimler AG manufacturing plants worldwide.
The local manufacturing plant is also the only plant outside Germany to manufacture the Mercedes-Benz C-Class model (W204).
The W204 is manufactured in both left- and right-hand drive models for the local and export market.
Facts and figures about the plant and the manufacturing of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W204):
- The investment in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W204) bodyshop was in excess of R2-billion.
- Previously, there were 50 robots in the bodyshop, and now there are 250.
- New advanced technologies such as laser-brazing and laser welding have been introduced.
- The W204 has a robust monocoque body (the chassis is integral with the body) made of aluminium and tungsten.
- November 2007: The first shipment of the new C-Class heads off to the United States of America.
From 2008 the manufacturing plant has also been building the new Mitsubishi Triton LCV (bakkie), Commercial vehicle and bus chassis. The plant product portfolio to includes: Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Mitsubishi Triton LCV, Mercedes-Benz trucks; Freightliner and FUSO trucks as well as Mercedes-Benz bus chassis.
In 2009, the following volumes where produced in the plant:
- W204 C-Class: 41 400 units
- Commercial Vehicles: 4 360 units
Quality
An intense focus on the quality of products built in the MBSA East London plant remains constant and, as a result, has reaped the following awards:
2006
Synovate Award: Best local plant manufacturing passenger cars
Synovate Award: C-Class achieves number one position in the medium segment
JD Power: Mitsubishi Colt SC ranks number one
2007
Synovate Award: C-Class ranks number one in terms of product quality
JD Power: Best local manufacturing plant in terms of initial quality
2008
JD Power: Best local manufacturing plant in terms of initial quality for the second consecutive year
JD Power: C-Class achieves second place
2009
JD Power: Gold Award
The JD Power Gold Award in US Initial Quality Survey is awarded to the MBSA East London plant, placing it ahead of all plants in Europe, the America's and Africa, and making it the fourth best in the world after three plants in Asia.
Synovate Award for Best Local Passenger Car Best Local Passenger Car Manufacturing Plant.
The harbour
Mercedes-Benz South Africa has direct access to the port of East London with its car terminal only a stone’s throw from the plant. On four levels, up to 2 600 vehicles can be stored until they start their long journey to our overseas customers.
The port is also the entrance for Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s wide range of passenger cars and commercial vehicles for the local South African market, as well as for the production material coming from plants in Germany and worldwide suppliers, all of which goes directly into the manufacturing process.
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