Mercedes-Benz investing RM200m for paint shop expansion
Published on: Saturday, August 23, 2014
Pekan: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd is expanding its paint shop at its completely-knocked-down (CKD) passenger car plant here at the cost of RM200 million. Its President and Chief Executive Officer, Roland Folger said the construction work would start in September 2014. "Mercedes-Benz Malaysia will continue to invest not just in Pekan, but also in our business as a whole.
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"We have invested over RM250 million in this plant since 2004, and we will not stop there. "Malaysia is an important market for Mercedes-Benz and Daimler and we are always looking for opportunities to enhance our presence here," Folger told a media conference at the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia plant's 10th anniversary celebration, here Friday. The Pekan plant, one in six passenger cars CKD plant worldwide, is also looking at the possibility of expanding its production lines, he said, adding that the expansion is still at the discussion stage and will be announced when the time comes. Currently, the plant churned out 40 vehicles per shift, comprising 15 E-Class, five S-Class, and 20 commercial vehicles, including Mitsubishi FUSO which Mercedes-Benz took under its wing.
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"We are also looking at assembling the C-Class with a projected potential of 15 units per shift," Folger said. The plant, manned by 1,079 local employees and two foreign specialists, produced 4,083 passenger cars and 2,892 commercial vehicles last year.
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Folger said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia recorded an 11 per cent sales growth of passenger cars and 14 per cent for commercial vehicles, and looked forward towards maintaining the trend. Mid-way through 2014, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia credited the success of the S-Class and C-Class for the phenomenal results, recording a 24 per cent sales increase with 4,536 units sold so far this year. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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