Mercedes-Benz plant Bremen: Bremen plant to produce additional model of the C Class model range as of 2011

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

- Development as a competence centre: Bremen plant expanding production operations to include Coup� of the C-Class
- New variant to be produced in addition to the C-Class Saloon, the C-Class Estate and the GLK as of 2011
- Flexible production: Coup� to be produced with three existing models on a single line
- Peter Schabert, Head of the Bremen plant: "Decision another milestone on our way to becoming the C-Class competence centre and a clear sign of trust in Bremen team's capabilities and standards."

Bremen, Germany, Mar 31, 2010 � The Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen is gearing up for the production of a fourth model of the high-volume C-Class model range. As of 2011, a Coup� will be added to a flexible production line, which already produces the three existing models. This will be a new addition to Bremen�s current production portfolio in the C-Class segment, comprising the Saloon, the Estate and the compact GLK sport utility vehicle (SUV).


"The decision by the Board of Management to produce the Coup� version of the current C-Class here in Bremen as well represents another important milestone on our way to becoming Mercedes� competence centre for the C-Class and is a clear sign of the trust in the Bremen team's capabilities and standards," says Peter Schabert, Head of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen.

The Bremen plant is developed into the worldwide competence centre for the high-volume C-Class model series. Allocating production of the new Coup� to the plant is in keeping with this strategy. As announced in December 2009, the launch of the next generation of the C-Class at the plant as of 2014 will see production of the C-Class Saloon for markets in Europe concentrated at a single location together with the production of the other C-Class model variants.

Flexible production

The Bremen plant is already demonstrating the flexibility of its production operations by producing three models (C-Class Saloon, C-Class Estate and GLK) on a single assembly line. The vehicles are able to pass along the assembly line in any conceivable order precisely as customer orders require, irrespective of model, variant (right- or left-hand drive, all-wheel or rear-wheel drive) and equipment. From 2011 the Bremen plant will be integrating a fourth model into the production process in the guise of the Coup�, demonstrating the plant's flexibility once again.

Production portfolio of the Bremen plant

In addition to the models of the C-Class model series, vehicles belonging to the E-Class are also produced in Bremen, with the Coup� and Cabrio running in flexible configuration on a single production line. The roadsters of the SL- and SLK-Class are also produced exclusively in Bremen. With a workforce of around 12,600, the Mercedes-Benz plant is the largest private-sector employer in the region.

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