Mercedes Benz is on track to build over 1.25 million units in 2011 after having been able to set a production record last year. Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, member of the Daimler Board of Management, Manufacturing and Procurement Mercedes-Benz Cars & Mercedes-Benz Vans, said that the company is “going on the attack.” Mercedes is pouring in extensive investments to expand its high-performance production network. Its production plans are operating at an almost full capacity due to an ongoing sales trend. There leaves no doubt that the brand could achieve its target to sell more vehicles in 2011. The high production output is attributed to the start of extra shifts, which were agreed with the works council. Furthermore, the plants still have to operate globally in the summer months so that they meet all the customer requirements. The company clarified that the closure of the production lines has to be as quick as possible in the holidays. Under the Mercedes-Benz 2020 growth strategy, the brand’s international production network has to be expanded. But then, Daimler is emphasizing that Germany will still be the core of production network. It is planning to invest significant amounts in its plants in Germany.
So that the company could make use fully of the potential growth in the Chinese market, it will have to boost the cooperation with its partner, Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation (BAIC). An investment of around 2 billion euros will be given to the joint venture Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd (BBAC). It also said that the production capacity for the C-Class and the long-wheelbase version of the E-Class will be expanded in line with changes in the market. It was only recently that the GLK compact SUV was added to the local production portfolio for the Chinese market.
