Mercedes-Benz opens new plant in India
February 25, 2009 by Matt Brogan
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.
Print it: 
Great.
Now the Mercedes cars will smell like the Mahindra’s.
Fail.
I would never spend all that money for an Indian built car
I know that in China you can buy two tiers of Mercedes-Benz/BMW/Audi, domestically manufactured (usually lower models) and pure imports. Obviously the domestic made are cheaper relatively.
Good move for Mercedes in attempting to save costs. I presume these cars are for the local Eastern Pacific market.
Mercedes made in India next it will be Lamborghinis made in New Guinea, Did any one call a taxi ??
Oh my gosh! Indian built Mercedes… I can smell a huge FAIL in that for sure…
Perhaps only mercs with cloth seats will be manufactured there. Indians will not like to see leather seats, for obvious reasons haha.
no its not going to fail. infact its going to boost the value of luxury. only indians know the best mechanism of car. thats why u find every child of india……….. ohh! just leave this ….
Merdcedes,BMW ,VOLKSWAGEN andAUDI all have super capacity plants in India.These products will be exlcusively for Indian because we CAN buy them and that too in GREATER numbers , so you people should not worry about brand image because it is some thing wise decided by your great MERCEDES only,you don’t have any right to say anything as you all are just dumb and fats internet worms!