Production of new C-class Mercedez Benz begins in East London

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Production has begun of the next generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class at the Mercedes-Benz South Africa manufacturing plant in East London.

MBSA's Markus Schäfer says with the new C-Class, they're taking automotive production in South Africa to the next level with an innovative portfolio of technologies.

He says an increase in capacity on the plant's C-Class production line has had a ripple effect on the contribution that MBSA is able to make both directly, and through the component supply sector, to the economy of the Eastern Cape Province and the country as a whole.

Speaking at the start of production of the new C-Class on Thursday, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said it was indicative of Mercedes-Benz' continued drive to produce high quality products in South Africa.

East London Industrial Development Zone CEO, Simphiwe Kondlo said the establishment of a world class e-coating facility at the IDZ, in support of the new C-Class production, heralds a significant achievement for auto industry development in South Africa - and is set to grow the total automotive investment base located within the Buffalo City Metro.