The Mercedes-Benz Trucks Woerth Plant, Germany, selected South Africa as the destination for its 800 000th CKD-Kit for assembly at Daimler Truck Southern Africa’s (DTSA) manufacturing plant in East London.
This occasion was not only a joint celebration for the East London-based DTSA manufacturing plant and its source plant in Woerth, but also a celebration with their loyal customers: Sesfigile Logistics and Safety One Logistics, who bought the truck in commemoration of their respective 20th and 10th anniversaries. Both companies are owned and operated by Nelen Gounder, who took delivery of the unit at the plant.
The largest truck assembly plant of Mercedes-Benz Trucks was founded in Woerth am Rhein in 1963. The Actros, Arocs and Atego model series are built here. The Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks Econic, Unimog and Zetros are also built in Woerth. In 2021, series production of the battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 300/400 for distribution haulage started in the plant. In 2022, the second Mercedes-Benz eEconic electric series-production truck for municipal use followed. In October 2023, the eActros 600 for long-distance haulage was presented to the global public and will go into series production in Woerth at the end of 2024.
The DTSA Assembly Plant in East London has a rich history spanning more than 60 years. The very first Mercedes-Benz Truck, the L-type, rolled off the assembly line in 1962. Fast forward to 2024, and thousands of trucks and buses have rolled off the assembly line since. Employing approximately 300 people, the plant is a crucial employer for the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and currently one of the biggest CKD-plants for Daimler Truck outside of Europe. In 2019, DTSA also received the 750 000th CKD unit for assembly, a Mercedes-Benz Actros 2652 LS 6×4.
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Cars are the ultimate symbol of freedom, independence and individualism. They offer the freedom to ‘go anywhere,’ whenever it suits and with whom one chooses.
Sarah Redshaw
Young South African motorists are increasingly opting for more affordable and practical vehicles as the cost of living puts pressure on household budgets, while still maintaining comprehensive insurance cover.
The row over BMW’s Spider-Man promotion is not really about superheroes. It is about trust, control and the creeping feeling that modern cars are becoming digital platforms first and private possessions second.
With forecasts of snow, icy rain and stormy weather across the country, motorists are urged to drive carefully and adapt their driving style to suit the conditions.
