Mercedes C-Class production: relocation to South Africa is being examined

D er reason for a possible relocation: The production of the C-Class sedan in South Africa would free up capacity in Bremen to meet the increasing demand for the GLC SUV, which is also being built in Bremen. In addition, a second body variant of the GLC - the GLC Coupé - is planned.

Mercedes denies relocation of production

Currently Eight models of the C-Class are produced in Bremen, the sedan, the station wagon and the coupé. There are also models from the E-Class, off-road vehicles and the SLK and SL roadsters. In 2014 the Bremen plant produced around 340,000 vehicles and is the second largest Mercedes plant in the world after Sindelfingen. The C-Class has also been rolling off the assembly line at the East London plant in South Africa since 2000 as a right-hand drive, and since 2007 as a left-hand drive for the USA.

Mercedes has, at the request of auto motor und sport denied the possibility of relocation. 'Speculations about a complete relocation of production of the C-Class sedan from Bremen to East London are not true.' Nevertheless, the manufacturer indicates that there may be shifts between the plants that produce the C-Class. 'The network structure The C-Class production with the lead plant in Bremen and the plants in East London, Tuscaloosa and Beijing makes it possible to react flexibly to demand and capacities. '