OREANDA-NEWS. August 28, 2012. Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard: “Our new SUV’s are very popular with our customers. We expect high growth rates also in the emerging markets and therefore extend our local production. Thus, we open up new potential as part of our growth strategy.”

For the first time, Daimler will start the final assembly of the SUV model series for the new Mercedes-Benz M- and GL-Class outside the SUV parent plant in Tuscaloosa/Alabama, USA. The necessary preparations at the selected three production sites in India, Thailand and Indonesia are proceeding full steam ahead: Later on in the year, final assembly of the M-Class using SKD kits (semi-knocked-down – complete bodywork and further vehicle components) will start there for the respective local market. These kits are produced in Tuscaloosa, prepared for shipping and sent on their journey to the final assembly plants.

Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Manufacturing and Procurement Mercedes-Benz Cars & Mercedes-Benz Vans: “Our new SUV’s are very popular with our customers. We expect high growth rates also in the emerging markets and therefore extend our local production. Thus, we open up new potential as part of our growth strategy.” The company is expanding its range of vehicle kits available for local final assembly in different markets with two additional, highly attractive model series by the new Mercedes-Benz M- and GL-Class. Following the start of production of the M-Class in India, Thailand and Indonesia this year, the first units of the new GL-Class made from SKD kits will roll off the assembly line in India and Indonesia in the course of 2013.

The Mercedes-Benz plant Tuscaloosa is responsible for the provision of the M- and GL-Class vehicle kits – from the bodywork and gathering the assembly parts together to preparing them for shipping and up to the global supply of the assembly plants. A new SKD logistics center recently entered operation for this purpose. It is operated by the logistics service provider BLG and works closely with the Mercedes-Benz plant as well as with Daimler’s central international manufacturing control in Sindelfingen. Further vehicle parts such as engines and transmissions are delivered directly to the relevant destination via the Powertrain plant’s logistic center in Stuttgart-Untertьrkheim.