German automaker Mercedes-Benz has started production of its C-Class sedan vehicles at East London plant in South Africa.
The move represents second of the four locations that started production of the highest volume Mercedes-Benz model line and the fourth generation of the C-Class vehicles that are being produced at the plant.
Mercedes-Benz Cars Production and Supply Chain Management Divisional Board member Markus Schfer said the company is ramping up its C-Class production as planned with the start of production in South Africa.
"The additional production capacities in East London are thus available at the right time to optimally serve the wishes of our customers," Scfer added.
Previously, Mercedes-Benz had started production of the C-Class vehicles at the Bremen plant in Germany, and plans to make the vehicles at its plants in Tuscaloosa/Alabama in the US and Beijing in China within the coming months.
Mercedes-Benz South Africa Manufacturing CEO and vice president Arno van der Merwe said the C-Class marks another milestone for the company in South Africa and for the East London plant.
"This goes especially with regard to the host of innovative manufacturing technologies which have been introduced at the plant for the first time with the new C-Class," Merwe added.
Image: Production of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class at the East London, South Africa, plant. Photo: Courtesy of Daimler AG.
