In Pune, India yesterday, DaimlerChrysler celebrated the groundbreaking of its new Mercedes-Benz plant at Chakan.  On hand for the event was the Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh, together with Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Chairman of the Board of DaimlerChrysler India; Prof. Eberhard Haller, Member of the Board of DaimlerChrysler India and responsible for CKD plants of the Mercedes Car Group; and Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director and CEO of DaimlerChrysler India; all of which laid the foundation stone of the new facility.

The new plant, which is expected to start production in early 2009, is the product of an approximately EUR 50 million investment by DaimlerChrysler.  Models produced at the plant will be the S-Class, E-Class and C-Class, all of which will be destined for the Indian market.

At the event, Dr. Joachim Schmidt had this to say about Daimler's new venture in the Indian market:  "Our confidence in the Indian market is reflected in our long association with the country. Our engagement with India dates back to 1954 when we started collaboration for trucks in India. Subsequently, we were also the pioneers of the luxury car market in India."

To learn more about the groundbreaking of DaimlerChrysler's new Indian Mercedes-Benz plant, keep reading for the official press release.


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


DaimlerChrysler celebrates groundbreaking of its new Mercedes-Benz plant in India

• Current S-, E- and C-Class production to move into new facility in early 2009
  
  
• Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Chairman of the Board of DaimlerChrysler India: “Our confidence in the Indian market is reflected in our long association with the country. We were the pioneers of the luxury car market in India”
  
  
• Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director and CEO of DaimlerChrysler India: „We have enjoyed steady and profitable growth in India and we are looking forward to continue our success story in our own premises”

Pune, India, May 09, 2007
DaimlerChrysler today began construction of its new plant for Mercedes-Benz vehicles at Chakan in Pune. The foundation stone of the new facility was laid by the Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh together with Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Chairman of the Board of DaimlerChrysler India, Prof. Eberhard Haller, Member of the Board of DaimlerChrysler India and responsible for CKD plants of the Mercedes Car Group, and Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director and CEO of DaimlerChrysler India in presence of further Indian Government Representatives.

In January 2007, DaimlerChrysler India had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Maharashtra to build the new plant at a 100-acre plot near an already existing plant. The new manufacturing facility will produce the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, E-Class and C-Class for the Indian market. Start of production is expected in early 2009. Over the next few years, DaimlerChrysler plans to invest around €50 Million Euros in connection with the new production facility. The new Chakan plant will initially employ around 350 workers, matching the level of the current facility.

“Our confidence in the Indian market is reflected in our long association with the country. Our engagement with India dates back to 1954 when we started collaboration for trucks in India. Subsequently, we were also the pioneers of the luxury car market in India”, said Dr. Joachim Schmidt.

In 2006 DaimlerChrysler India sold 2,121 vehicles, achieving strong growth of 10% (2005: 1,915). In the first quarter of 2007 DaimlerChrysler India already recorded further growth of 17%. “As a company, we have enjoyed steady and profitable growth in India and we are looking forward to continue our success story here in our own premises”, Dr. Aulbur underscored the rapid change of the luxury car market since DaimlerChrysler entered India in 1994.

In 1995, DaimlerChrysler started producing the Mercedes-Benz E-Class in a leased factory at Chikhali in Pune, near Mumbai in the Federal State of Maharashtra. In the following years DaimlerChrysler broadened its production to include the S-Class (2000) and C-Class (2001). Today DaimlerChrysler has dealerships spread across 27 cities in India and was the first automotive company in India to complete ISO9001: 2000 certification for its entire dealer network in India.

Copyright © 2007, DaimlerChrysler AG