Mercedes-Benz has formally inaugurated its new manufacturing plant in Chakan, Pune, India, today which took only 13 months to complete from start to finish.

Set on 40 hectares of land the new plant features independent assembly facilities for passenger cars and commercial vehicles and was created to address the group’s future expansion needs.

“A strong brand, committed employees, strong after-sales service network. A growing market, increasing demand and exciting products: these are the ingredients of Mercedes-Benz’ India story. And it all happens here – at the new home of Mercedes-Benz in India.” said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Chairman of the Board, Mercedes-Benz India.

The plant was designed to manufacture the current local-production portfolio of the Mercedes-Benz C-, E-, and S-Class, but is also flexible enough to accommodate additional production of other models from the Mercedes-Benz model range on the same assembly line, if the need arises in the future.

“As the Plant Manager of the largest Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen, Germany, I am impressed by the flexibility and the potential for expansion of this facility. It was created with a long-term perspective in mind, and I am sure that we will see many new products roll off the assembly line – both from the passenger car and the commercial vehicle segments.” said Prof. Dr. Eberhard Haller, Director of the Board, Mercedes-Benz India.

The new plant highlight’s Mercedes-Benz’ long history of involvement with India when back in 1954 a collaboration with TATA helped it to build trucks and subsequently cooperated Force Motors in 1969.

Mercedes-Benz was also the first luxury car manufacturer to set up local production in India back in 1995 with its R&D division established in Bangalore one year later.

The Daimler group’s procurement organisation has also been active since 1998 and is the local partner for Indian entrepreneurs and industries that offer products and services to the company worldwide.